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Definition of algae eater
algae eater
Plural:algae eaters
algae eater Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
6
Tier
2
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
An aquatic animal, such as a specific type of fish, snail, or shrimp, that naturally consumes algae and is frequently kept in aquariums to manage algal growth.
Example
"The hobbyist added a small algae eater to the tank to help clean the green film off the rocks and glass."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for algae eaterWord Origin & Etymology
A descriptive compound phrase formed from 'algae' (from Latin 'alga', meaning seaweed) and 'eater' (from Old English 'etere'). The term became widely used in the 20th century alongside the popularization of the home aquarium hobby.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Algae eater. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/algae eater