They are so popular that they are very easy to find. You can keep multiple Siamese algae eater as they are social and peaceful fish. Here is more about what we do. For a single SAE and a small planted community, you’ll need: Optional equipment you may find helpful includes: Multiple Crossocheilus species, including C.siamensis (True SAE), C.langei (Red SAE), C.reticulatus (Reticulated SAE) and C.atrilimes, True Siamese Algae Eater, SAE, Flying Fox Siamese Algae Eater, Omnivore; prefers live foods but will readily eat commercial diets, plants and algae. The rarely-seen C.siamensis lacks barbells but the popular C.langei have two pairs, and in C.atrilimes the maxillary barbels are not visible but are present. It’s not difficult to feed your SAEs, as these fast-swimming scavengers will help themselves to any leftover scraps. It has a slender body that can grow up to 6 inches in length. As these fish spend their time at the bottom of the tank, you also need to think about what else is going to be living there. Tankarium is reader-supported. It would help if you also avoid aggressive fish species such as Cichlids and Oscarsas as they will attack and even try to eat your algae eaters. Your Siamese algae eater’s size should be between 5 and 6-inches in length when fully grown. The Siamese algae eater has often been crowned the best algae eater as a result of its peaceful temperament and industrious personality.. In a flying fox, the black stripe is followed by another gold stripe on top of it. They like to school, so a minimum of 3-5 fish should be added to avoid aggressive behavior towards angelfish or other tank mates. Avoid keeping your SAEs with semi-aggressive fish like Tiger Barbs or territorial sharks and cichlids. Conclusion. Siamese algae eaters are peaceful, and since they are not territorial by nature, they rarely pick fights with others. One example is the Siamese Algae Eater. They’re not the most colorful animals in your tank, but experienced aquarists know the true value of the silver-grey colored striped fish known as the Siamese Algae Eater. This is where the Siamese Algae Eater comes in. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 7. We’d love to hear about your set-up, so drop a comment below or join us on social media! Not all SAE-like fish are friendly or prefer to eat problematic algae. Siamese algae eaters need to be kept alone or in groups of at least five, ideally in a tank … Siamese algae eaters are active yet peaceful creatures and there is a variety of suitable tankmates. The Siamese algae-eater is a species of freshwater fish in the carp family, Cyprinidae. Chinese Algae Eater 101: Care, Size, Lifespan, & Tank Mates Siamese algae eaters are excellent tank cleaners (hence the name) with the only caveat that they grow big — around 6 inches, so a bigger tank is required to house them comfortably. I feed my SAEs one meal a day and fast them one day a week to mimic their natural feeding habits: Siamese algae eaters are not aggressive and get along with a wide variety of fish. CAEs may attack other fish, Flying Foxes are territorial and False SAEs don’t enjoy eating algae. However, avoid overcrowding your tank as they produce quite a lot of waste, just like any other fish. You’ll also need open areas where your SAE can swim and shoal (if kept in groups), and interesting places to explore and hide. These fish get along with almost any other fish in the community tank. They are very active and may jump out, so a hood or lid is needed to keep them safe. It depends. True SAEs are part of the Crossocheilus genus, and there’s at least 17 closely-related and almost identical fish in this genus that exist throughout the region. This is another large species that patrols the bottom levels of the tank looking for algae. They attach themselves to the aquarium and decor with their sucker mouths while they rasp algae and biofilm away. The trickiest part about keeping cherry shrimp is choosing appropriate tank mates for them, as many fish see them as a snack. Siamese Algae Eaters are omnivores. Keeping more than one algae eater or setting up a community tank will require at least double this, for a minimum of 40 gallons. Aquarium Gravel is a website created to help others with common, and uncommon issues they will often face when diving into the aquarium hobby. Like any other fish, this algae eater produces a decent amount of waste, and so aquarists should watch out not to overstock their tank. Algae eaters don’t have specific maintenance requirements. It’s difficult for novices to identify the exact species or gender until they are fully mature at 3 to 4 years of age. However, there is more to know about SAE’s diet, as they cannot live on just algae. Siamese Algae Eater Tank Mates. You’ll ideally want to keep bottom dwellers with this fish. They are an ideal candidate for community tank because of their peaceful behavior, lower cost, tiny size, moderate care level, and simple food requirements. Since they don’t have a swim bladder, they can’t maintain buoyancy in the water when they stop moving, which leads to some interesting behaviors: They are also social fish who enjoy shoaling in groups, although they do well on their own too. Best Low And Medium Light Aquarium Plants, Dwarf Hairgrass: Planting, Carpeting, And Care, Introduction to the Siamese Algae Eater (SAE), Types of Siamese Algae Eaters in the Aquatic Trade, Setting Up Your SAE Tank: Equipment  and Supply List, There’s also a rarer variety known as the. Siamese algae eater tank mates Typically, Siamese algae eaters are bottom-dwelling fish that get along well with a wide variety of tank mates. The absolute minimum tank size to keep Siamese algae eaters in is 20 gallons. Enjoy! Platy fish are another live-bearing fish that’s easy to care for and it’s loved by beginners for … Though Gourami and Barbs are large fish, they do not behave aggressively, making them safe for your Siamese algae eater. Here are the generally recommended tank mates for a Siamese algae eater: Ideal companions for a Siamese algae eater are that of other community type fish. Resting fish will prop themselves up on their pectoral fins on the wide leaves of plants like Amazon Swords, or on driftwood or smooth rocks on the bottom of your tank. Platy Fish. So these fish can in fact school together if you want them to. Siamese algae eater have the peaceful temperament. SAEs may cause other bottom-feeders a lot of stress from their constant activity. Some of these links may be affiliate in nature, meaning we earn small commissions if items are purchased. Learn how to breed your Siamese algae eater. Since they are captured while young (see Breeding) and have overlapping natural ranges, it’s not uncommon to collect juveniles of multiple species at the same time. They do well in larger schools, as well, assuming you provide them with a sufficiently large environment. Siamese Algae Eater, scientific name Crossocheilus siamensis fish is a peaceable one by its temperament. Ideal for lightly and densely planted aquariums! Large, slow-moving tank mates should be avoided too. Even though these omnivorous fish prefer live foods they are some of the few that will consume hair and black beard algae! This fish has a voracious appetite for algae and will often work tirelessly until your tank is clean.. The color of this fish is either light gold or gray color. To prevent injury to your SAE, it’s best to use a smooth substrate without any jagged edges that could hurt their abdomen or delicate barbels. As you can see, SAEs are one of the best species for algae control and they’re an ideal option for tanks with a lot of plants. Pleco Fish: the Pleco is a catfish species, known for its algae eating capabilities. Tank Mates. This makes them a good tankmate for a community aquarium. Tank Mates. Since these hormones aren’t something a home aquarist has access to, don’t expect your SAEs to spawn in your tank. It is also to be kept in mind that these are freshwater fish, so they dwell best in clean and clear water. Red Tail Sharks make for good tank mates, as well as Corydoras. This inclusion will create a diverse environment for your Siamese algae eater. They do prefer to swim in currents, though, so a, It’s best to feed them a high-quality commercial diet of. As omnivores, they readily consume insects, larvae and eggs, and they enjoy snacking on fish fry or any dead animals they come across. As for unwelcome SAE tankmates, this is a There’s reports that some fish are captive-bred in Asia using artificial hormones to induce spawning, but no details on this method have been published. Red Tail Sharks make for good tank mates, as well as Corydoras. There’s not a lot of information about the behavior and habits of wild fish, which leads to the next challenge: identifying which species you’re actually buying under the name SAE. However, they do not have barbels or spines, some characteristics common of … SAEs are active fish who are constantly in motion. Tank Mates. It just depends on the needs of your plants and the type of filtration system you’re using. Here are the generally recommended tank mates for a Siamese algae eater: Ideal companions for a Siamese algae eater are that of other community type fish. SAEs do well in tanks with low, moderate, or bright lighting conditions, but about 12 hours a day of moderate light is close to their natural conditions. This makes them good candidates for an aquarium within the community. A common problem with SAE is constipation and obesity from being fed a rich diet high in protein, so be sure to feed your fish plenty of plant-based foods and fresh veggies. Some of these links may be affiliate in nature, meaning we earn small commissions if items are purchased. You’ll learn about 68 different tank mates that can live with your betta, as well as fish to avoid. On occasion we link to goods offered by vendors to help the reader find relevant products and products we recommend directly. Even a single Siamese algae eater can clean a 10 gallon fish tank quickly when compared to more stationary scum suckers, like nerite snails. You’ll ideally want to keep bottom dwellers with this fish. Otocinclus Catfish. Siamese Algae Eaters are actually related to the Roseline Shark distantly. The Chinese algae eaters (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri) are slim and long freshwater fish.. They will eat plant matter like algae and plant-based fish food. It is active and can be seen swimming in fast circles and swipes along the bottom of the tank … But, they would not still do well with some of the bottom-dwelling fishes since they are territorial and like to harass others to protect their territory. They are also incredibly affordable, with prices starting at just $3 to $5 per fish. You can even include other non-fish organisms that eat algae, such as Amano, cherry, or ghost shrimp. Siamese Algae Eaters can live in peace with this breed. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a2bcaf5d34eace3e11ebeee1eacbee45" );document.getElementById("ce0a8bd4e5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They may also be called honey suckers and sucking loaches, both names which reference their mouth.They have a sucker mouth, like many other algae eaters such as the Siamese algae eater.. It begins from its head and ends at the tail fin. Tankarium is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Make sure you’re avoiding … Quick Stats. A 55-gallon tank is ideal for 5. While they’ll likely consume plant leaves, algae and biofilm in your tank too, your closed-system aquarium can’t naturally provide them with a proper and balanced diet, so you’ll have to supplement it. What do you need to design a great planted aquarium ideal for a Siamese algae eater and other friendly community fish? The Siamese algae eater is an excellent choice for a beginner, as it can keep your tank clean and presents minimal disruptive behaviors to your tank environment. SAEs have a wide sucker-like mouth and unhinged jaw, and some species have one or more delicate barbels on the sides of their snout. Recommended Tank Mates for the Siamese Algae Eater. Moreover, avoid keeping aggressive and large predators in its tank which can harm or eat up this fish. Unique populations exist throughout the region. Most fish are captured in the wild as juveniles and transported to pet stores around the world. If you’re looking for small algae eaters or options for controlling brown algae … Potentially great Siamese algae eater tank mates include: Siamese Algae eaters can become very territorial and some-times aggressive. SAEs have long, streamlined brownish to silver-grey bodies with a black lateral line running lengthwise from the opercle near their gill cover through the fork in their caudal fin (tail). These fish are known as SAE for brief which is … Your Gouramis, schools of Barbs, Tetras or Danios, Angel Fish, Guppies, swordtails, or cory cats will all do fine alongside your algae eater as tank mates. Your Gouramis, schools of Barbs, Tetras or Danios, Angel Fish, Guppies, swordtails, or cory cats will all do fine alongside your algae eater as tank mates. Otocinclus Catfish: this one is another catfish, frequently used, for cleaning tanks from algae. Siamese Algae Eater . When all is said and done, Siamese algae eaters can probably fit in and survive in whatever tank you have in mind. One of the reasons for their popularity is their high energy and efficiency. Owner of AquariumGravel.com and also owner of actual Aquarium Gravel believe it or not! This will only happen, if only one fish is added to a tank or they don’t have enough food. Specifically consumes hair/thread and black beard (red) algae. There are still plenty of possible tank mates. SAEs have a narrow range and prefer their water just under tropical conditions between 75 and 79°F, so you’ll need a heater. They also do well with invertebrates like snails and small freshwater shrimp. Setting up beautiful aquarium sceneries and habitats since I was very young.