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Chinese Algae EaterIndian Algae Eater ~ Siamese Algae Eater ~ Sucking LoachFamily: Gyrinocheilidae Gyrinocheilus aymonieriPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David BroughLatest Reader Comment - See More I would like to point out that Siamese Algae Eaters and Chinese Algae Eaters are two different breeds. Chinese Alage Eaters tend to become agressive while their... (more) Fish Master Though not the most beautiful of fishes, the Chinese Algae Eater is a workhorse when it comes to its job... eating algae!Chinese Algae Eater Contents The Chinese Algae Eater is desirous to many aquarist mainly for their ability to keep the aquarium free of algae. This fish prefers hiding places in wood, rocks and plants. Since they graze on algae most of the time, some sunlight on the aquarium to promote the algae growth is appreciated.Their slung mouth forms a sucking disk, perfect for anchoring to a surface especially in fast moving water. Though they prefer algae, you can occasionally substitute crushed lettuce or spinach. Also, they won't work in the cold. If the temperature in the aquarium drops below 69° F (20° C) they will stop eating algae! When young, the Chinese Algae Eater does fine in a community aquarium, busily going about its business of greedily foraging algae from the glass sides of the tank, the plants, the substrate, and any decor. When it gets older however, it can start to defend a territory and can continually harass tankmates. Adult specimens are often best kept alone. For more Information on keeping this fish see: |
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
The Chinese Algae Eater was described by Tirant in 1883. They are found in northern India and Central Thailand. They inhabit large and medium sized waterways such as lakes, rivers and flood plains where they found adhered to solid surfaces with their 'sucker' type mouth.
This fish that we are calling the 'Chinese Algae Eater' is one of those fish with a multitude of common names, including such things as: Algae eater, Indian Algae Eater. Siamese Algae Eater, Siamese Headbreather, Sucker loach, Sucking loa, Sucking loach, and Biforated Carp.
- Scientific Name: Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
- Social Grouping: Pairs - When young, they are good community fish but as they grow older it can become aggressive and predatory.
- IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed
Not the most beautiful of fishes, the body of the Chinese Algae Eater is plain with a notable black stripe from the tip of its "nose" to its tail. Though their color is quite variable, they are often yellowish on the sides, more brown along their back, and have a yellow eye. The stripe is often broken, and there can be black spotting along the back and at the base of the dorsal and caudal fin. They have an under slung mouth which forms a sucking disk, perfect for anchoring to a surface especially in fast moving water.
- Maximum Size: 11.0 inches (27.94 cm) - One rarely sees individuals exceeding six inches in home aquariums although a size of eleven inches is possible.
- Lifespan: 10 years - Generally lives 5 to 10 years.
- Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy
- Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate - This fish is often pawned off on aquarists who come into pet shops complaining of algae and purchased without knowlege of its fully grown size and its aggressive tendencies.
Generally the Chinese Algae Eater, Indian Algae Eater, or Sucking Loach prefers an herbivorous diet of algae and vegetable matter, but they will eat live and flake foods also. You can occasionally substitute crushed lettuce or spinach for algae.
This fish prefers hiding places in wood, rocks and plants. An aquarium best suited to this fish would have lots of plants and other decor. Since they graze on algae most of the time, some sunlight on the aquarium to promote the algae growth is appreciated. When small they can fit in most any size aquarium, but as they grow a minimum of 25 gallons is suggested. Of course an even larger aquarium will provide more natural algae for them and suit their needs better.
- Diet Type: Omnivore - Predominantly herbivorous when young, the Chinese Algae Eater can eat flakes or pellets containing proteins that are fed other fish in the aquarium.
- Flake Food: Occasionally
- Tablet Pellet: Yes - Algae wafers work best for this fish.
- Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
- Vegetable Food: Most of Diet
- Meaty Food: Some of Diet
- Feeding Frequency: Weekly - If the intent is to keep the tank free of algae, then feeding should be kept to a minimum. It should however in turn be noted that these fish have a taste for the slime coats of their tank mates so they will often go for that particularly if hungry. As such, match feeding levels should be converse to algae levels. Most aquarists report that this fish stops eating algae as soon as it discovers fish food.
- Water Changes: Monthly
- Minimum Tank Size: 45 gal (170 L)
- Substrate Type: Any
- Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
- Temperature: 77.0 - 82.0° F (25.0 - 27.8° C)
- Range ph: 6.0-8.0
- Hardness Range: 5 - 19 dGH
- Brackish: No
- Water Movement: Moderate
- Water Region: Bottom - Bottom and sides of the aquarium
When young they are a good community fish. The busy young Chinese Algae Eater will go about its business of greedily foraging algae from the glass sides of the tank, the plants, the substrate, and any decor. When it gets older however, it can start to defend a territory and can continually harass tankmates. They are especially cantankerous in groups of more than five individuals of their own kind, adult specimens are often best just kept alone.
- Temperament: Semi-aggressive - Younger fish are not as aggressive however this fish has a taste for fish slime so it will suck the scales of any fish that gives it an opportunity. Furthermore, adult specimens are generally indiscriminately aggressive towards everything and should be kept completely alone.
- Same species - conspecifics: Yes
- Peaceful fish (): Monitor
- Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive
Chinese Algae Eaters have 'thorns' around their mouth. The males' thorns are more numerous and more pronounced than the females'.
Not much is known about the breeding behaviors of these fish. To our knowledge they have not been intentionally bred in the aquarium or commercially, though there have been reports of accidental breeding.
- Ease of Breeding: Unknown - Breeding has only occured accidentally to date.
The Chinese Algae Eater, Indian Algae Eater, or Sucking Loach is readily available and is very popular. Single specimens start at about $5.00 USD.
Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants
Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants
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