Algae Eater (Crossocheilus siamensis) and Algae: Debunking the Myth!

Algae in the aquarium. Who is this and what is it for?

1 Algae in the aquarium. Who is this and what is it for?

2 Algae-eater in the aquarium. Choosing the right one!

3 Algae eater and algae. Debunking the myth.

When I started my first aquarium, I read on one of the thematic sites that if you want to avoid algae, get a fish with the name Siamese algae eater (Crossocheilus siamensis).

A year and a half has passed since the acquisition, and now I want to share my impressions and warn against the mistakes of novice aquarists.

Siamese algae eater (Crossocheilus siamensis) - a fish that has come to our aquariums from reservoirs South-East Asia. Occurs in Sumatra, Indonesia и Thailand. Usually lives in fast streams and rivers, with a hard bottom and a large number of submerged drifts.

Belongs to the family Cyprinid Fish (Cyprinidae), which has about 275 species and is very widely represented in domestic aquariums. The most famous fishes from this family are barbs, danios, goldfishes, labeo and others.

In wild nature algae eater grows to 16 cm, in aquariums usually much less. The volume of the aquarium is desirable from 100 liters. Fish is very unpretentious and adapts to many conditions of keeping. But the main parameters of water are:

Temperature 20-26 ° С
Water - soft or medium hardness.
Lighting is bright.
Food - vegetable, but according to observations, omnivorous.
Behavior and compatibility is conditionally peace-loving. Depends on your choice!

Algae eater in aquarium. Choose the right fish!

If you want peace and quiet in an aquarium, you definitely need to learn how to properly distinguish algae eater before the purchase. The thing is that he has quite a lot of very similar to him, relatives. And if due to the appearance or size, you have no problems, then problems with the behavior in the aquarium can appear. Other, related species are usually much more aggressive towards others, while more indifferent to eating algae. And some, in general, can stick to flat fish, such as scalar or discus and eat a protective film from the surface of their skin.

So, together or instead of these algae eater in stores is often sold - Flying fox fish, Garra taeniata (False algae eater)and Chinese algae eater.

Differences.

At the true algae eater:

One pair of antennae.
Mouth lower, but not sucker.
The black band has "ragged" edges and extends to the caudal fin. (It can brightens at a time of stress).
Other fins are transparent.

If the mouth is in the form of a sucker, then this Chinese algae eater. With age, it becomes very territorial and aggressive. It is he who can stick to other fish.

If there are several pairs of antennae in the mouth, and on the body there is a black smooth band that does not fit on the tail, and the fins are slightly colored, then this is either Garra taeniataor Flying fox fish. They are more aggressive in behavior than the Siamese algae, and the algae eat worse.

And one more very distinctive feature of this Siamese seaweed. During dormancy (all species like to rest, lying on the ground, plants, or snags), only the real seaweed lies on the pectoral fins (which are on the sides and behind the head). They are arranged like a plane. (See photos of our dying seaweed)

All other species are based on the pectoral fins, as on the legs.

Algae eater and algae. Debunking the myth.

In order not to write and advertise these fish as effective algae eaters in an aquarium, this is not so. According to my observations, if in their youth they try to pretend that they are eating something, then with age they begin to be lazy and completely switch to regular food. Here as with mollies. They are also written about them, that they eat fouling from plants. But, I think, to notice any effect, they should not be fed for a week with regular food.

At the same time, even a real algae is quite aggressive and drives everyone around the aquarium. Whether it is catfish, gourami or swordtails. No, he does not harm them physically, but does not give rest either. Plus, if you take a rather inexpressive color (as compared to related Labeos, for example), then the fish is more advertised than it actually is.

But this is purely my impressions and of course you decide!