a little help i am looking for an alge eater for my tank. i want to stay away from pleco (everyone has them)would like to stay in the african family in the
8-10 inch class

What is your pH? Remember that a lot of African fish prefer very high pH where South American fish like it a lot lower. I will tell you one fish that seems to have taken a liking to algae, that is my leporinus. He's always munching at the algae that develops on my pebbles and wood.

Most of the fish that I've heard of that are not a member of the pleco family don't grow that big. However, my knowledge outside of South America is very limited. Some of our other members will no doubt give you the information you want