When searching for the perfect addition to your aquarium, the options can be overwhelming. However, certain fish serve specific purposes. The Siamese algae eater, for instance, is a great choice for those looking for a fish that can keep their tank clean by consuming algae.
Not only are these fish efficient at their job, they are also active and sociable creatures that thrive in both large groups and when kept alone. They are also easy to feed and will consume any food placed in their tank.
If you are new to fish keeping, the Siamese algae eater is an ideal choice as they are peaceful and can easily be incorporated into a community tank.
Just be aware that there is another fish called Siamese flying fox which looks quite similar to the algae eaters and are often mistaken for them.
| Common name(s) | Siamese Algae Eater |
| Binomial name | Crossocheilus oblongus |
| Care level | Easy |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Size range – length | 6 inches |
| Water parameters | Temperature 75 – 79F pH 6,5 – 7,0 dGH 5 – 20 |
| Tank level | Bottom |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Lifespan | Up to 10 years |
| Breeding | Egg laying |
| Tank mates | Corydoras, angelfish, discus, tetras, danios, guppies, mollies, swordtails, gouramis, barbs, loaches, ram cichlids, electric blue acara, keyhole cichlid, shrimo (amano, cherry, ghost), snails (nerite snails) |
Origin
Siamese algae eaters, scientifically known as Crossocheilus oblongus, are a type of freshwater fish that belong to the Cyprinidae family, which also includes carp.
They are native to Southeast Asia, specifically in countries like Thailand and Malaysia, but are now widely bred and distributed globally for the aquarium trade.
Their popularity is due to their exceptional ability to consume algae, and they are known to be very active swimmers, making them capable of cleaning the entire tank quickly.
They are also a great option for new fish keepers as they are easy to care for and their behavior is generally non-problematic.
However, it’s important to note that Siamese algae eaters, like any other fish, do produce waste, and having too many of them in your tank can create a mess rather than keeping it clean.
Therefore, it’s important to keep the stocking levels in check to maintain a healthy tank.
Size
Siamese algae eaters are a larger species of freshwater tropical fish, growing up to 6 inches (16 cm) in length. As bottom dwellers, they require ample space to swim and rest comfortably.
When keeping these fish, it’s important to plan for a tank that is at least 20 gallons in size to ensure optimal living conditions. This will provide them with enough room to move freely, swim comfortably, and seek out hiding spots when needed.
Lifespan
Siamese algae eaters are known for their longevity, with the potential to live up to 10 years in optimal water conditions. This makes them a great long-term addition to any aquarium.
However, it’s important to note that most Siamese algae eaters that are sold in pet stores are likely to be around 1 to 2 years of age and they are still small.
This means that they will have many more years of growth and development ahead of them, and proper care and maintenance will be crucial to ensuring they reach their full potential lifespan.
Availability
Siamese algae eaters are a popular addition to many aquariums and as a result, they can often be found at most pet stores. Not only are they easy to find, but they are also relatively affordable.
The cost of a Siamese algae eater generally ranges between $3 to $5 per fish, making them an economical choice for those looking to add some new and interesting species to their tank.
However, it’s worth noting that the price may vary depending on the store and location, as well as the size of the fish.
Appearance and Sex Differences
The True Siamese Algae Eater, also known as Crossocheilus siamensis, is a freshwater fish that is well-known for its ability to help control algae in aquariums.
These fish have a long and slender body that can reach up to six inches in length.
They are typically a pale grey or gold color with a distinctive black stripe that runs from their head to their tail. The black stripe is one of the key characteristics that sets Siamese Algae Eaters apart from other fish.
However, it’s worth noting that the black stripe can fade at times, which can happen during a mating display, periods of stress or as a way to camouflage themselves. Although this is less common in the aquarium.
Another characteristic of the Siamese Algae Eater is that there are no physical differences between males and females until they reach around 3-4 years old.
The only way to tell the difference between male and female at that point is by size, with females typically being around 30% larger in mass than males.
Siamese algae eater vs Siamese flying fox
When it comes to identifying freshwater fish, it can be easy to confuse the Siamese Algae Eater with another species known as the Siamese Flying Fox.
Both fish have a similar appearance, with a black stripe that runs down their body, making them hard to distinguish. However, there are a few key differences that can help you tell them apart.
One of the most obvious ways to identify a Siamese Algae Eater is by checking for flaps in the corner of the fish’s mouth, Siamese Algae Eaters don’t have them while Siamese Flying Foxes have.
However, this can be challenging to observe when the fish are alive and swimming around, as an alternative, you can take a closer look at the color of the black stripe.
Siamese Flying Foxes have a smooth and uniform black stripe, while Siamese Algae Eaters have a less uniform stripe that extends to the end of the tail fin.
By keeping these differences in mind, you can easily distinguish between the two species when adding new fish to your aquarium.
Behavior
Siamese algae eater spend most of their time in the bottom levels of a tank. They tend to swim around until they find an area covered in algae, where they will remain until the algae is gone.
If a few are kept together, they may form groups and feed in the same area. These fish tend to be energetic and swim quickly, which may disturb other species.
They are not usually aggressive, but if such behavior is observed, it may be necessary to separate them from other fish in the tank.
Care
Siamese algae eaters are a hardy and easy-to-care-for fish species that can thrive in a variety of tank conditions. To keep them healthy and happy, it is best to provide them with a long tank rather than a tall one, as they tend to spend most of their time in the lower levels.
A hood or lid is also necessary to prevent them from jumping out, and a tank size of at least 20 gallons for a single siamese algae eater, with an additional 10 gallons for each additional fish, is recommended. A 55-gallon tank is ideal for a group of five.
They thrive in clean, well-filtered water with high oxygen levels and a moderate current, so a HOB or canister filter system is a suitable choice for them.
Siamese algae eaters are adaptable to a range of lighting conditions, but providing 12 hours of moderate light per day is ideal for simulating their natural habitat.
In terms of tank setup, a densely planted tank with a combination of both slow-growing plants such as Amazon Swords and fast-growing, soft plants like Hornwort is ideal, as they will eat the Hornwort.
When it comes to maintenance, siamese algae eaters do not have specific requirements, but it is important to keep the tank clean and well-filtered to prevent the build-up of toxins.
This can be achieved by using high-quality filter media, performing regular water changes and vacuuming the gravel.
Additionally, be mindful of what you add to the tank, as decorations and water from other aquariums can carry toxins or diseases.
Siamese algae eaters can be kept in schools of 4-6 for optimal behavior, but they also do well when kept individually or in pairs.
Tank Requirements
In the wild, Siamese algae eaters can be found in the densely planted rivers and streams of Southeast Asia, an environment that is similar to that of the closely related Asian Carp.
These tropical waters are slightly acidic and have a relatively slow current, with abundant vegetation, rocks, and logs providing shelter.
In this habitat, algae eaters split their time between hiding in these shelters and searching for food, which mainly consists of algae but also other items that sink to the bottom of the river.
They are not known for their exploratory nature and tend to stay close to familiar shelters, rarely venturing to the surface.
To replicate this natural habitat in captivity, it is best to provide a sandy substrate to prevent injury to their sensitive barbels, as well as a variety of plants to serve as shelter and help keep the water clean and oxygenated.
Some algae eaters may nibble on the plants if food is scarce, so keeping them well-fed with a mix of fast-growing species like hornwort can help minimize damage to the plants.
Additionally, providing caves or other hiding places for the fish to retreat to can help them feel more comfortable and less stressed.
It is important to note that siamese algae eaters are active and quick, which makes them more likely to jump out of the tank, so a lid should be kept on the tank to prevent fatal escape attempts.
The water temperature should be kept between 75-79°F and the pH should be between 6.5 and 7.0, but they can tolerate a slightly wider range if necessary (roughly 6.0-8.0) and don’t have any special water flow requirements.
Diseases
SAEs are generally hardy and resistant to diseases, but if kept in poorly maintained aquariums with fluctuating water conditions, they may be susceptible to infections such as Ich.
Ich is easily recognizable by the presence of small, raised white spots on the fins, body, and gills of the infected fish.
These spots are often described as resembling grains of salt and are raised, not flush with the fish’s scales. Additionally, the number of spots can be counted and they tend to multiply over time.
Tank Mates
Siamese algae eaters are a peaceful species that can coexist with a wide variety of tank mates, making them suitable for community aquariums.
When choosing tank mates, it’s important to consider the bottom-dwelling inhabitants of the tank, as some bottom-dwellers can be territorial or bully others.
For example, Red tail sharks can be aggressive towards other fish as they mature. To avoid any territorial disputes, you can choose from a variety of peaceful bottom-dwellers such as Corydoras, a genus that contains many different species.
When it comes to other inhabitants, you have even more options, but it’s important to avoid notoriously aggressive fish that may attack or eat your algae eaters.
This typically means steering clear of cichlids, although there are some peaceful exceptions like angelfish. Tetras, danios, and guppies are good options because they are small and non-aggressive.
Larger fish like gouramis and barbs can also be suitable tank mates as they aren’t known to be aggressive.
It’s worth noting that tank mates don’t have to be limited to fish alone.
Other aquatic animals such as shrimp (amano, cherry, and ghost) and snails (like nerite snails) can also be added to the tank, adding extra interest to the tank and contributing to algae control.
However, it’s important to keep in mind not to overstock the aquarium as all inhabitants contribute to the overall load of the tank.
Diet
Siamese Algae Eaters have a diet that primarily consists of algae, plant matter, and vegetation, but they are also opportunistic scavengers that will consume anything they come across in the wild, including dead fish and insects.
In captivity, they are not picky eaters and will happily consume a wide variety of food options such as flake and pellet foods, algae wafers, and live foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms, whether fresh or frozen.
Sinking foods like pellets are also beneficial for bottom-dwelling fish as they will likely fall to the bottom of the tank where SAEs are spending most of their time.
It’s important to be mindful of overfeeding as they may stop eating algae in favor of other foods if they are given too much.
They have the ability to eat a lot and will eat all day if given the opportunity, so it is best to limit feeding to an amount that they can easily consume within a couple of minutes each day.
Breeding
Breeding Siamese Algae Eaters in home aquariums can be a challenging task, as they are typically only known to breed in commercial fish farms with the aid of hormones.
While they mate in a similar way to other fish, it is difficult to determine the sexes of these fish, with the most reliable method being to observe the size of the fish – females tend to be about 30% larger once fully matured.
While it’s possible that changes in water conditions such as temperature and pH may trigger spawning in the wild, there is currently limited information available on how to successfully breed them in home aquariums.
In conclusion
In this article, I provided a comprehensive guide on Siamese Algae Eaters. I discussed their characteristics and appearance, so you can easily distinguish them from other species.
Additionally, I covered the appropriate tank size and necessary water parameters to ensure your fish thrive in their new environment. A high-quality water filter, such as a canister filter, is also essential to maintain clean water conditions.
Overall, Siamese Algae Eaters are a great choice for beginners in the aquarium hobby, as they are easy to care for and adapt well to different tank setups. To ensure a comfortable environment for your new fish, set up a tank as described in the article and maintain proper water conditions.
