Other characteristics include: On average, SAEs can live for about 10 years in an aquarium, although it’s unlikely wild fish survive as long. They may need to be separated from the main tank if the problem cannot be quickly resolved. The ideal SAE tank would have densely planted areas with both slow-growing plants like Amazon Swords and fast-growing soft plants like Hornwort (they will snack on the Hornwort). 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. They also have a thick black stripe that runs the length of their body, from the mouth all the way through their tails. Unique populations exist throughout the region. However, because of their bottom-dwelling nature, it’s important to make sure they’re getting enough to eat. To avoid problems with bullying, it’s best to have at least 5 SAEs in your shoal, since they create a social hierarchy among themselves. The Siamese algae eater is a social fish that does well on its own, among members of its own species, and in community tanks. They’re not particularly colorful and tend to be solitary creatures. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The Siamese Algae Eater (Crossocheilus siamensis) is a longtime favorite in the aquarium hobby due to its active nature and its voracious appetite for various types of nuisance algae, including pesky black beard algae.It is a mostly herviborous fish that is gregarious as a juvenile, but is shoaling (rather than schooling) as an adult. Remember to always ask a veterinarian for help regarding all of your pets. Recommend water temperature is between 24–26 °C (75–79 °F), acidity – pH 6.5-8.0, and a water hardness of 5–20 dH. Earlier SAE was considered to belong to Epalzeorhynchus genus according to scientific classification. It is active and can be seen swimming in fast circles and swipes along the bottom of the tank floor in search of food. Despite the fact that they resist blue-green and green spot algae, they still serve their purpose by consuming other forms of algae. They’re very easy to care for, and their shark-like appearance adds a fun touch to your tank. These bottom loving fish can grow up to approximately 6 inches (16 cm) and sometimes even a bit longer. They do prefer to swim in currents, though, so a, It’s best to feed them a high-quality commercial diet of. As they are bottom dwellers thus focusing on the increasing the width of the tank. It depends. They do best in warmer water, which means your fish may well do better and become healthy again simply by a mild and gradual temperature increase until the ideal temperature is reached. Keep an eye out for signs of bacterial, viral or fungal infections, and be sure to quarantine new plants and animals before adding them to your community. The substrate, driftwood, and plants are three spots where they love to hide and forage. Fishtankadvisor.com does not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion. Siamese Algae Eater. Always preoccupied with finding food, this fish is generally peaceful and gets along well with other tank mates. Además del acueducto siamés, también hay una especie de Epalzeorhynchus sp (zorro volador siamés o falsa alga siamesa) a la venta. Siamese Algae Eater. 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. An adult Siamese algae eater requires at least 20 gallons of space. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. They attach themselves to the aquarium and decor with their sucker mouths while they rasp algae and biofilm away. Tank Size and Conditions: Min tank size of 30 gallons. As omnivores, they readily consume insects, larvae and eggs, and they enjoy snacking on fish fry or any dead animals they come across. Though they may range in how territorial they are, generally they are all nonviolent and will create a beautiful tank. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This fish is the only known fish genus that can eat coarse algae and it will be a good helper for you to deal with black beard algae (BBA) in a tank. Care Level: Moderate. Temperature: 75 - 79 ℉ (23.9 - 26.1 ℃) PH: 6.5 - 8.0: GH: 5 - 20: KH: 5 - 10: Origins of the Siamese Algae Eater. Etymology. Jen has more than 30 years experience as a biologist, aquarist, and fishkeeper. Siamese Algae Eater Temperature: The optimal temperature range for this species is in the range of 74 °F to 80 °F (23 °C to 27 °C). 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. 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. Their constant activity may disturb territorial bottom feeders, and they shouldn’t be kept with aggressive or semi-aggressive species like cichlids or freshwater sharks. Siamese Algae Eater . Do you have (or plan to add) Siamese algae eaters to your planted community? SAEs are members of the Cyprinidae family and, like other minnows and carp, are scavengers who feed mostly on plants and algae in the wild. “Siamese Algae Eater” is the generic name for a group of closely-related bottom-feeding fish native to Southeast Asia. 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. It just depends on the needs of your plants and the type of filtration system you’re using. Water pH Range: 6.5-7 (tolerates a much larger range span) Water Hardness Range: 5-20 dGH. Schooling swimmers with short fins are ideal SAE companions, so consider fish like tetras, minnows, danios, guppies, platys and mollies, gourami, and friendly barbs like the Gold, Cherry and Rosaline Torpedo. 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. If you want to get some Siamese Algae Eaters, though, you’ll have to provide a bit more than just algae. Let the bagged fish acclimate to the new water temperature for 15 minutes. Compatible With: Great for community aquariums, and have be housed with a wide range of fish including tetras, other barbs, plecos and corydoras etc. However, ... Read about the prefered water temperature of your goldfish. They are ravenous and very effective by clearing up the tank of leftover food, dead plant materials, and algae. The Red SAE is an especially voracious eater! Since these hormones aren’t something a home aquarist has access to, don’t expect your SAEs to spawn in your tank. When this happens, examine the fish over several days. If your fish stop moving, they immediately sink to the bottom of the tank! While these fish are omnivores, too much protein in their diet can cause constipation and may lead to other problems. They prefer densely planted streams and rivers. Maintaining the right water temperature in the tank is very critical when keeping Siamese Algae Eater. Also, these fish feed well on algae and since they are bottom dwellers, you will not have to worry about cleaning your tank. Siamese algae eaters can survive in a wide range of temperatures (71-82F) and PH conditions (6-8). Likewise, they are an excellent addition to your tank because they are peaceful and relatively easy to care for and maintained. Very likely to jump out of the aquarium especially after reaching adult size. The Siamese algae eater has often been crowned the best algae eater as a result of its peaceful temperament and industrious personality. Bring your algae eater home right away. They prefer well circulated clean water. 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. Pet store fish are usually captured from native populations as juveniles before they’re sold into the aquarium trade. Finally, the Siamese Eater will eat less and less algae as it gets older. Successfully keeping live aquarium plants and getting the right lighting substrate is the most difficult part of having Siamese algae eaters. Siamese algae eaters are simple to care for in that there is no specialized equipment necessary to keep them. Using rocks and driftwood decor, you can create caves and provide different surfaces and textures for growing algae and biofilm for your fish to consume. Common name: Siamese algae eater, Siamese flying fox, Flying fox, Siamese fox Scientific name: Crossocheilus siamensis Max size: 6 inches / 15 cm pH: 6.5-7 (tolerates a much larger range span) Temperature: 75-79˚F / 24-26˚C A true Siamese Algae Eater will reach around 6 inches in maximum size or just about 15 cm. Seeing the active behavior and curious nature of Siamese algae eaters is a rewarding experience. Siamese algae eaters (Crossocheilus siamensis) have a long, thin body that is usually a pale grey, gold, or brown. I recommend at least a 20-gallon tank for a single SAE and around 10-gallons per additional fish. This species is the epitome of the good guy in the aquarium. Scientific Name: Crossocheilussiamensis Common Name: Siamese Algae Eater / SAE Temperament: Peaceful Care Level: Easy Lifespan: Up to 10 Years Colour Form: Gold/Grey with Black Stripe Diet: Omnivore Size: up to 6 inches Family: Cyprinidae Water Temperature: 20 – 26 °C pH: 6.0 – 7.5 Water Hardness: 18 – 268 ppm Compatibility: Peaceful Set-Up of Tank:Freshwater, Heavily Planted If you don’t see them looking for food, they are usually hiding somewhere in the aquarium. Siamese Algae Eater . Though generally peaceful, it is possible for these fish to become territorial or show aggression. The temperature has to be set around 79°F which is a rule t… 4. However, this can be difficult due to their high activity levels. They’ll need some supplementary food, including a protein source. These two species perform a similar role in any tank, and unfortunately, they are a little bit difficult to tell apart. Temperature range pH range Bala shark: Balantiocheilus melanopterus: 40 cm (16 in) Black shark: Labeo chrysophekadion: 90 cm (35 in) Siamese algae eater: Crossocheilus oblongus: 16 cm (6.3 in) Many other cyprinids are sometimes mistakenly sold under this name. Unfortunately, the Siamese Algae Eater is not a cure for all algae: Green spot and blue green algae are not on the menu. Temperature 75-79F. Introduction to the Siamese Algae Eater (SAE) You don’t have to wait for an outbreak before adding an algae eater to your community aquarium, and one of the best options for peaceful planted tanks are the active and irrepressible Siamese Algae Eater or SAE (genus Crossocheilus).They’re very easy to care for, and their shark-like appearance adds a fun touch to your tank. You’ll also need open areas where your SAE can swim and shoal (if kept in groups), and interesting places to explore and hide. Size is the only indicator of sex and doesn’t appear until after three or four years. They are active and fast swimmers that will school together if kept in a group, but some individuals may display aggression to their own kind or related fish. 7. 1. Like any other fish, this algae eater produces a decent amount of waste, and so aquarists should watch out not to overstock their tank. They will occupy the bottom water level, near the river or stream bed. A 55-gallon tank is ideal for 5. If you have christmas moss (or other types of moss, to a lesser extent), you may want to skip this fish, however, as they love to eat it. They also aren’t particular about hardness (5-15 GH). Some common considerations for tank mates include: All of the fish listed above are peaceful fish that also do well in community tanks. This stripe is a dependable indicator of health and maturity; it will fade during times of stress or sickness and when it prepares to mate. This species is the epitome of the good guy in the aquarium. Regular water changes and tank maintenance should keep these levels close to 0 ppm, but it’s also wise to perform periodic testing to make sure. Hardness – This algae eater can tolerate a wide range of general water hardness, from 5 all the way to 20 dGH. SAEs are active fish who are constantly in motion. But they do have several preferences that will allow them to truly thrive and show their best colors, figuratively and literally. Most fish are probably sold around 1 to 2 years of age. This fish has a voracious appetite for algae and will often work tirelessly until your tank is clean. It’s difficult for novices to identify the exact species or gender until they are fully mature at 3 to 4 years of age. The Siamese Algae Eaters prefer to live in water temperatures of between 75 and 79 °F. Keeping a tank clean is a breeze with a Siamese algae eater as your helper. Day or night, you’ll be able to see these fish zipping along the bottom of the tank and along leaves in search of food. Care level: Easy; Maximum size of fish: 8 inches (20 cm) Water Temperature Range: 76-81 °F (24-27 °C) pH range: 6.0 to 7.5; 10. Siamese algae eaters are a great option for both new aquarists and experienced fish keepers. They’re not very picky, so let’s talk about their basic requirements: Since SAEs spend most of their time in the lower portions of your tank, they do best in tanks that are long rather than tall. The best tank mates for these algae eaters are other peaceful community species that use areas that SAEs avoid, although they also get along well with non-territorial bottom feeders like Corydoras and loaches. Even though these omnivorous fish prefer live foods they are some of the few that will consume hair and black beard algae! Anyway… The Siamese Algae Eater loves to be around plants which also resembles its natural habitat. If your fish is more colorful or has dark-colored fins, it’s. Not only will the Siamese algae eaters get you rid of algae, but they have a super peaceful and friendly temper as well. 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. The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. There’s two problems you’ll face when searching for a group of SAEs for your tank. The hardy red algae-eater Crossocheilus langei is commonly found in the aquarium trade and is one of the most popular and effective tank algae cleaners. Siamese algae eaters can jump and are very active. In all other areas of ownership, they are low maintenance and easy to care for. They are very active and may jump out, so a hood or lid is needed to keep them safe. What’s the best aquarium set-up for SAEs? These waters are usually warm and slightly acidic. Due to their energetic nature, they can cover pretty much space in a short time. Females tend to be larger than males, with bodies that are approximately 30% larger or thicker. Ideal for lightly and densely planted aquariums! Chinese algae eaters sport spots instead of a stripe, and are known for being aggressive towards other fish. As far as I know, no one in the US has ever been successful at breeding SAEs naturally in an aquarium or pond. The good news is it’s very easy to care for your SAEs and in most cases, you won’t have to make many modifications to your tank to accommodate them. They will often eat together and may swim in a loose group. Recommendations for Sick SAEs: Be sure to make sure the Siamese algae eater temperature is warm enough for your fish if they are ill. 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. The Siamese Algae Eater (typically Crossocheilus langei; Crossocheilus siamensis; or Crossocheilus oblongus) is perhaps best known for being one of the few fish that will … These species are also often confused with Chinese algae eaters, despite the striking differences in their coloring and temperament. The True Siamese Algae Eater (Crossocheilus siamensis) is one of the most popular algae eaters, especially to help control nuisance algaes in planted aquariums, although they will eat other foods including flakes and pellets.Its similarity to others in its genus can lead to confusion with its identification however and the "true" Crossocheilus siamensis is not available often. Este pez pacífico y no demasiado grande, un verdadero acuario más limpio, incansable e insaciable. Best to feed a diet of sinking algae wafers and other plant foods with a high-protein treat each week, 20 gallons; allow an additional 10-gallons per fish, Prefers clean, well-oxygenated water and moderate flow rates,  but tolerates both light and heavy currents, Ideal for peaceful community aquariums, but may nip at fish with long fins or slow swimming habits. This fish is peaceful, efficient, and affordable. it wasn't the water b/c my water is was clean all those 3 weeks with only 2 water changes. They get along well with other peaceful inhabitants and don’t become aggressive as they age, unlike other algae eaters. Hence, SAE is a natural freshwater fish and would require a heat of about 75 – 79°F (23.88 – 26.11°C) to keep them healthy and happy. They can grow up to 6 inches and live up to 10 years in good water conditions. A true Siamese Algae Eater will reach around 6 inches in maximum size or just about 15 cm. A more dependable method is to check the length of the black stripe. The Siamese Algae Eater is found in the Chao Phraya and the Mekong Basins as well as the Malay Peninsula in mainland Southeast Asia. The absolute minimum tank size to keep Siamese algae eaters in is 20 gallons. Siamese Algae Eater. For example, they are both a similar size, a similar color, and they both have the same distinctive black stripe extending from their mouth to their tail. The True Siamese Algae Eater (Crossocheilus siamensis) is one of the most popular algae eaters, especially to help control nuisance algaes in planted aquariums, although they will eat other foods including flakes and pellets.Its similarity to others in its genus can lead to confusion with its identification however and the "true" Crossocheilus siamensis is not available often. Crossocheilus langei BLEEKER, 1860 Siamese Algae Eater SynonymsTop ↑. 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