Chinese Algae Eater
Alternative Name(s): Algae Eater, Chinese Catfish, Sucking Loach
Scientific Name(s): Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
Category: Tropical
Difficulty:
Maximum Size: 28cms
Minimum Tank Volume: 250 litres
Minimum Tank Size: 48"
Water Temperature Range: 22-26°C
Water pH Range: 6.0-8.0
Water Hardness Range: 5-20 dGH
General Information: Chinese Algae Eaters originated in South-East Asian mountain streams. They are well adapted to scraping algae due to their wide strong mouth being able to attach to most surfaces using suction. These vigorous feeders make excellent natural freshwater aquarium cleaners in the right circumstances, but should be bought for their own sake, not to do a job!
Tank Requirements: A planted tank with plenty of algae and hiding places. Fast flowing river set up preferred.
Diet Requirements: Algae browser and scavenger, often includes soft aquarium plants and small live foods in its diet. Nasty habit of chewing tankmates. Becomes more omnivorous with age. Takes most aquarium foods.
Compatibility: Limited, often large and aggressive, territorial with its own kind when older and prone to chewing defenseless fish. Probably the most commonly sold and least suitable algae eater for the community aquarium.
Recommendations: Large well decorated aquarium with a happy compromise between light levels and algal browsing availibility. Keep surface area high, filtration excellent, plants, caves and cover.
Common Problems: Aggression, chasing, and wounds, susceptible in aeromonas and internal parasites. Fungal issues when kept in smaller underfiltered aquaria, fish has a high bioload and metabolism.
Similar Species: Could be mistaken for some shark species and loaches, especially some of the Hillstream Loaches. Siamese Algae Eaters and Otocinclus are a better choice for the community aquarium.
Sexing: Few external differences, hard to sex, during spawning females are larger and plumper than the males.
Breeding: Breeding has occurred, but only accidentally. Probably only possible in large aquaria.
Author(s): Violet, Fishlady | Photo: fishy_tom | Views: 31541
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