I have recently started up a small 40ltr tank. Gradually added fish and now have 9 spotted blue eye and 3 threadfin rainbows.

Bit of moss on a stone, Anubis tied to bogwood and another small leaved plant in the gravel(cant remember the name)
The plants have taken off except the moss which has died back but I'm hoping it will buck up. (using liquid plant feed)

I now have to decide if I want algae/excess food eaters but dont much like the look of them. Would have to be small and fairly easy on the eye. Shrimp have been suggested but they give me the creeps. Otto's too but I've read they are best introduced to a well established tank (and I'm not that keen)

Any ideas what I can get to clean things up a bit? Would prefer something that wouldnt need specific food

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"Life is mostly froth and bubble, Two things stand like stone,
Kindness in another’s trouble, Courage in your own”

Shrimps would be ideal. But, to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't buy any fish or invertebrate for the sole purpose of consuming algae. Otocinclus sp. do consume algae, however I prefer these for larger tanks and as you've pointed out, they are quite delicate and therefore should only be introduced into a well-established tank.

If you trawl the internet, you'll find that many people use Plecs to control algae. However, you'll also find a long list of reasons why you shouldn't. Many species of Plec are actually omnivorous; and some are carnivorous. Due to the misconception that they consume just algae, hundreds of these fish starve to death in aquariums due to not being fed the right food and through not receiving the correct amounts of protein. Several 'L-number' Plecs also die due to not receiving an organic chemical called Lignin, which is found in certain natural woods (including bogwood). This chemical is like the 'fibre' of the aquatic world.

The best way to control algae is to control environmental factors that can cause algal growth in the first place. Parameters such as nutrients (trace elements such as magnesium are highly important, as it is used to form chlorophyll), CO2 and light intensity must be kept in balance. The usual periodic maintenance will also help to keep algae in check.

Fast-growing plant species such as Hygrophila will help to keep algae growth down (under the ideal conditions) as they literally suck excess nutrients from the water. But - contrary to popular belief - nutrients such as nitrate and phosphate do not cause algae in a well planted aquarium.

Thank you for that - most informative and v helpful!!

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"Life is mostly froth and bubble, Two things stand like stone,
Kindness in another’s trouble, Courage in your own”

I just use a sponge cloth to clean algea off the sides. But bristlenose plecs and Ottos are meant to eat algea. I'd personally go for a mixture and it depends on if you like those fish. I'd never get a fish just to eat the algea. It's best to get to the root of it in the first place.