Steroid estrogens (SEs) can interfere with the normal physiological functions of the endocrine system in humans and aquatic organisms even at low concentrations (ng/L), and pose a threat to the health of aquatic ecosystems. Phytoplankton is an important part of the lake ecosystem. Algae cells are small, large in number and specific surface area, and have the ability to remove and degrade steroids and estrogens in the environment. Screening phytoplankton suitable for remediating SEs-contaminated water bodies is of great significance for reducing the ecological risks of SEs. The study investigated the effects of 17β-estradiol (E2β) on the growth of six common dominant algaes in the Erhai Lake, including Dolichospermum sp., Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Microcysis aeruginosa, Pediastrum sp., Scenedesmus quadricauda, and Melosira sp., and explored the removal and degradation capacities of different algae for E2β with different concentrations of 10, 50, 100, and 1000 ng/L. The findings indicated that there were notable differences in the physiological responses of various phytoplankton to E2β. Specifically, 10, 50 and 100 ng/L E2β promoted the photosynthesis and specific growth rate of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Microcysis aeruginosa, Pediastrum sp., and Scenedesmus quadricauda,, while 1000 ng/L E2β exposure system showed inhibitory effect. Different concentrations of E2β exhibited a "low-suppressing, high-promoting" effect on the growth of Melosira sp.. Algal cells exhibited robust removal capabilities for E2β at the exposure concentrations tested, thereby enhancing its metabolic degradation. This promoted the conversion of the highly active and potentially harmful E2β into less reactive species such as E1 and E3, thereby reducing the ecological risks associated with E2β in aquatic environments. In comparison to other phytoplankton species, Dolichospermum sp. demonstrated a weaker tolerance to E2β and was not suitable for remediation of E2β-contaminated water bodies. The removal rates of 10 and 50 ng/L E2β by Microcystis aeruginosa were 88% and 93%, and the degradation rates were 60% and 73%, which was appropriate for the remediation of E2β-contaminated water bodies at concentrations of 10 and 50 ng/L. The removal rates of 50 and 100 ng/L E2β by Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Pediastrum sp. and Scenedesmus quadricauda were 75—76%, 86—89%, and 83—89%, respectively, and the degradation rates were 64—66%、63—64%, and 70%, respectively, Which were suitable for remediation of E2β-contaminated water bodies at concentrations of 50 and 100 ng/L. The removal rate and degradation rate of 1000 ng/L E2β by Melosira sp. were 84% and 54%, respectively, which could serve as a dominant species for the remediation of E2β-contaminated water bodies at concentrations exceeding 1000 ng/L.