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Photo from: "Atlas of Aquarium fish" by, TFH.

The very common algae eater. I believe it received this name due to its sucking disc. In my experience I have found them to be a poor algae eater. Nevertheless they are an interesting addition to your aquarium.

Quick stats: Listed tank sizes are the minimum Size: Up to 10 inches usually much smaller Tank: 30 inches Strata: all, but not in open water. PH: 6.0 to 8.0 Hardness: Soft to hard Temperature: 75 to 78ºF (25 to 28ºC) Classification: Order: Cypriniformes Sub-order: Cyprinoidei Family: Gyrinocheilidae Genera: Gyrinocheilus

photo courtesy of Aqualand pets plus

 
Common name:

Chinese algae eater, Indian algae eater, Algae eater, Sucking loach

Additional species photographs

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Distribution

Found in streams of Indohina and central Thailand.

Long and cylindrical with a down facing mouth. The mouth has thick lips with many folds that form a sucking disc. This disc helps the fish feed on algae. It is also the basis of its common name. The Dorsal fin is well developed with nine protruding soft rays. The Anal, Ventral and pectoral fins are all rounded. The Caudal fin has a deep fork.

The sides are a burnt yellow, with a Brown stripe running down the length of the body. This stripe is commonly broken up into spots. The eye is also Yellow. The tail and dorsal fins may have some small spots at the base and the general coloration is clear. The back is Brown. The coloration of this fish is not set and is quite variable.

The tank should be heavily planted and have a fairly strong currant. This will closely mimic its natural habitat. An easy fish to care for, they are vegetarian in nature but will accept flake food supplemented with algae wafers. Some say they are a fantastic algae eater and will make short work of any found in your tank. Younger specimens are suitable for a community set up. As they get older then tend to become more and more aggressive among themselves and even other tank inhabitants. One interesting adaptation of this fish is in its respiration. When it is attached to a rock or other object with its sucking disk the water for respiration enters through a small hole in the upper corner of its gill slit. This way the fish can stay attached in strong currents. Not the best choice in algae removal or community set ups this fish should be purchased with caution.

Found in moving water among the vegetation, rarely seen in standing water.

Little is known of the sexing of these fish. Breeding has occurred, but only accidentally.

Algae Eater Click photo to buy From Live Aquaria Normal Golden

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From: Ben Date:06/22/2008 I have a 90 gallon aquarium. The only fish that I have noticed any aggression from is my chinese algae eater. His tank mates are Barbs,Cory Cats,a Red Tail Shark and a Skunk Botia. This fish has quickly grown and now wants to dictate the harmony of my aquarium. If this doesn't stop soon my CAE will soon find himself in some ranchers cow trough. From: Jamie Date:05/31/2008 I have had my CAE for close to 5 years now. He started out in my 20 gal. Once he was full grown he started attacking and killing my other fish. I kicked him out of that tank, needless to say. I have since put him in my 125 gal tank and he is now like a new fish. His current tank mates are angelfish, assortment of tetras, bristlenose catfish and a butterfly pleco. He no longer bothers any fish. His best friend is the butterfly pleco. They are always swimming together. If you don't have a big tank these are not a fish for you. I would say anything less than a 55 gal would not be suitable. The smaller the tank the more you will see them being aggressive. From: Kit Date:03/04/2008 As much as I've read that CAEs are aggressive, the only aggression my CAE has shown was toward my large silver white female molly. He never bothered anyone else in the tank except her. As soon as she got close, he would chase her around the tank 'til he was satisfied. After a couple weeks of witnessing this, I moved him the my 20 gallon with the 6 tiger barbs, and 2 danios. Haven't seen any aggression since. I've had him for nearly 7 months without any real problems or deaths because of him. So, all in all, aggression really depends on the fish's personality (and possibly it's tank mates as well). From: Sonn Date:02/12/2008 I've had a CAE for awhile now. I would really really not recommend them for anyone who cannot provide a separate living space when they get larger. They eat tons of algae when they are small but when they get older and larger their diets completely change mine now prefers "meatier" foods over algae or any other vegetable based food. And if you do plan on putting this fish with other species make sure it is fast enough to get away or it will be a snack to this guy/girl. From: Dean Date:02/09/2008 Four Words... THESE FISH ARE EVIL!!! When I had them they killed almost every fish in my tank. To anybody who does not know, when the CAE sucks on the side of your other fish, your CAE is actually eating that fishes body slime.(Which is a bad thing, body slime keeps your fish more resistant to disease and keeps them happier.) I had to flush my CAE before it finished killing the rest of my fish. I had a group of tetras, a cory cat, and danios with the CAE. When the CAE was finished with his bloody fish rampage, all I had was one tetra and one danio. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COMMENTS

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