|
Crossocheilous siamensis (Siamese algae eater) |
This
is a rather peculiar fish from South East Asia (Malaysian penincula)
in the sense that very few people would add it in their tanks
because of its physical appearance. Indeed, it gets rather large for
the average community tank (15 cm), it has no color, it swims in
fast sprints which will stress other peaceful fish, it is a
dedicated vegetarian which will means adding special food for it,
etc. However, all those drawbacks are balanced by one singe
advantage. It is the only fish which will eat the dreaded hairy
algae even the black one. Moreover, they will keep on doing that day
after day, for many years - since they eat algae even when they grow
up and they live for many years (up to ten). Distinguishing it from
other similar fishes is essential since most of them will not touch
the algae and have a different temperament which doesn't make them
suitable for the average community tank. The Siamese Algae Eater (SAE)
is not territorial or aggressive and will get along fine in any
community tank. It will not harass the discus, the Hemigrammus
erythrozonus or the Corydoras aeneus in my tank. On the contrary,
they will gather together, swim together even eat the algae in a
close formation. Although we will add more information to this note
from our own experience (and many photos, as usually), we would like
to add some tables which will tell you more about this fish and - of
equal importance - how to select the right species.
|
Size |
In captivity they usually only grow
to 4 - 5 inches. But they can grow up to 6". |
|
Origin |
South East Asia (Malaysian Penisula) |
|
Temperature |
Ranges of 75-82 |
|
pH |
6.0 - 8.0 |
|
Food |
Omnivorous (with a preference for
vegetable-based foods/Algae, Flake Foods, Lettuce and other
vegatables). |
|
Tank |
30 gallon minimum size (for 2). |
|
Environment |
Lots of Plants and heavy Filtration.
They like clean highly Oxygenated water. |
|
Breeding |
They do not breed in captivity. |
|
Lifespan |
Up to 10 years. |
|
Sexing |
No visible differences. Although the
female "may" appear fuller. |
|
Behavior |
Non-aggressive (although their
look-alikes are aggressive). |
|
Activity |
Very active and are fast Swimmers.
They also are prolific Jumpers (you must keep their tanks
covered). |
|
Algae Eating |
Will eat Algae all their life. And
is the only known fish to eat the Red Beard/Black Brush Algae
(an Aquarium's worst nightmare). Note: Look-alikes do not
eat the tough Red Algae, nor do look-alikes eat Algae all their
lives like the SAE's do. |
|
Plant Eating |
They do not eat your Plants. But
they may appear like they are, as the eat the Algae off the
plant leaves. |
|
Availability |
Extremely popular and available in
Europe. Not as available in North America. Usually one of the
look-alikes will be falsely labeled as a SAE. Hopefully, as the
become more known for their Algae-eating ability, we'll see many
more SAEs here in the U.S. But the fact that they do no breed in
captivity is the biggest challenge to their availability. |
|
Other |
They also like to eat Planaria.
Which tend to pop up in Fry Tanks. |
Information presented in this table was retrieved from :
http://www.bettastarz.com/sae.htm You
may find additional information on this species at this link.
How to select the true SAE:
Siamese
Algae Eater or SAE:
The true SAE has a jagged black horizontal stripe that goes all the
way to the tip of the tail. All of the SAE's fins are clear. The
black and white and their contrast are more intense than with the
other algae eaters below.
False
Siamese Algae Eater or false SAE:
The false SAE if usually found in shipments of true SAE (or the
other way around). Unlike the SAE, the black stripe ends at the
beginning of the tail. Often, if one goes to buy SAE's in a US
aquarium store, they may in fact be all or mostly false SAE's. False
SAE's may have some red around the mouth and a yellow tint to the
fins. My false SAE had some nice gold and red on the dorsal fin.
Mine was sold as a flying fox.
Flying
Fox:
Just like the true SAE, the flying fox has a black horizontal stripe
that goes all the way to the tip of the tail. Unlike the SAE, the
edges of the stripe are smooth and not zagged. The flying fox may
have some rainbow-like coloring on the fins. It is more pretty than
the other fish mentioned on this page. The black horizontal stripe
extends to the end of the tail like the SAE but it is much stronger
and broader.
Chinese
Algae Eater or CAE:
The Chinese algae eater is
Gyrinocheilus aymonieri. Unlike the SAE, false SAE,
and flying fox, the CAE does not have a distinct black horizontal
line. It is more mottled. The fish is more brown than black and
white. The tail fin lacks any striping. The CAE also does not have
any barbels unlike the other three fish. If you go to the average
pet store that carries fish and ask for a fish that eats algae,
probably half the time, you would have a Chinese algae eater foisted
upon you. While these fish are a delight like the above fish, they
have only a low to moderate desire to eat any algae. If fish food is
available, it will compromise most of their food intake. Also, as
Chinese algae eaters grow older, the may become nasty to other algae
eaters or even other fish in the tank. Some may try to latch onto
fat-bodied fish. Sometimes, though some individuals get along well
with their tankmates. There is a very common albino (or gold) CAE
which may be sold even more often then the regular gray CAE. The CAE
does not zip around as much as the SAE, false SAE, and flying fox.
It tends to do more sucking. CAE's normally stay under 6 inches but
have the ability to grow to almost twice that length.
Information retrieved from
http://userpages.umbc.edu/~rrhudy1/sae.htm
You can find more information by visiting this link.
|
|
Crossocheilus siamensis |
"False
siamensis" |
Epalzeorhynchus kalopterus |
Crossocheilus oblongus |
Gyrinocheilus aymonieri |
|
Horizontal stripe
-edge: |
zig-zag |
smooth |
smooth |
smooth |
uneven |
|
-extend
to tail: |
yes |
no |
yes |
no |
|
|
light
stripe above |
(sometimes) |
yes |
yes |
? |
|
|
Dorsal region: |
reticulated (black edged scales) |
solid
greyish brown |
|
|
|
|
Fins
- dorsal: |
transparent |
dark
lower rays & yellowish |
dark
bands & white tips |
transparent |
transparent |
|
- anal: |
" |
yellowish |
" |
" |
" |
|
-
pelvic: |
" |
" |
" |
" |
" |
|
Mouth: |
|
small,
nonclinging suckermouth (maybe with red/pink) |
|
|
clinging suckermouth |
|
Barbels: |
1 pair |
2 pairs |
2 pairs |
2 pairs |
none |
Table retrieved from the article "Algae
Eating Cyprinids from Thailand and Neighboring Areas" by Neil
Frank and Liisa Sarakontu. You can read a lot more about the SAE
in this article.
|
