siamese algae eater aggressive

Since they may nip at slow-swimmers with long tails, it’s also best to avoid keeping angelfish or discus with SAE, although I have successfully kept them with a male Betta fish in a big community aquarium. They can become very aggressive during feeding and sometimes have a negative effect on the other fish in the tank. BBA is one of the hardest alga to get rid of. If you want to add more bottom dwellers to your tank, then you should choose carefully. They are known to get more aggressive as they age. They’re usually sold as juveniles at around 1.5 to 2.5-inches in length. A single Siamese Algae Eater feels comfortable in a 20-gallon tank. They have no problem with other species and they can eat plenty of algae alone as well. If you manage to keep your Algae Eaters healthy and lively, they will keep your aquarium clean in return. BUY ONE HERE . This peaceful species is always a great addition to a community tank. If we talk about Green Spot Algae on a tank glass, sadly Siamese algae eater isn’t able to do anything about it. We’d love to hear about your set-up, so drop a comment below or join us on social media! 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. On its u… Ideal for lightly and densely planted aquariums! pH 6.5-7.0. Even if you are looking for only bottom-feeding fish, there are many species to choose from with different temperaments. Name: Siamese Algae Eater. You can keep peaceful and social aquatic species with Siamese Algae Eater in a community tank. However, there are also plenty of semi-aggressive and territorial fish to choose from. However, there are also plenty of semi-aggressive and territorial fish to choose from. 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. The main distinguishing feature of Siamese Algae Eater is their black stripe on its body. They will not pose a threat to any other fish you put them together with. Not all SAE-like fish are friendly or prefer to eat problematic algae. These aquatic eating-machines are some of the best algae eaters in the trade, so check out our complete guide and see why they’re ideal for densely planted tanks! These fish originated in southeast Asia, hailing from the wilds of Malaysia and Thailand. Insert a couple of bigger rocks or wood pieces where your Algae Eater can hide. But when it comes to other species, they are just as peaceful as Algae Eaters. SAEs may cause other bottom-feeders a lot of stress from their constant activity. 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. 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. Nerite Snail. The Siamese Algae Eaters are quite famous at pet stores and are also quite cheap to buy! In rare cases, the fish might have to be kept in a separate tank. In order for this species to be the most active and lively version of themselves, you need to recreate their natural habitat. While SAEs do well in a tank set-up like a riverscape, with strong currents or wavemakers, they don’t require such high flow rates. Since they are schooling fish that love to swim around and eat together, there has to be at least 5 or 6 of them in the same tank. They also do well with invertebrates like snails and small freshwater shrimp. The Siamese algae eater, also known as Crossocheilus oblongus, is a freshwater fish species from the Cyprinidae family.This family also contains carp, and so they are close relatives of each other. This implies the need for a medium-sized freshwater tank. Remember to always ask a veterinarian for help regarding your pets. They have a slightly different temperament, as Flying Foxes tend to be aggressive towards their own breed. The Siamese Algae Eater spends most of its time in the bottom layer of the fish tank, diving into the substrate and looking for algae. Right now, he is pretty much the most aggressive fish i have ever had. There are other types of aquatic creatures that your Algae Eater will be sure to get along with, such as snails and shrimp. These won’t bother each other at all. The Siamese algae-eater is a species of freshwater fish in the carp family, Cyprinidae. They love algae, they are really not demanding and, most importantly, they go along quite well with other species. The true actual real SAE would be Crossocheilus siamensis which is apparently not very common at all. Finally, knowing the difference in the behavior of True Siamese algae and its Copycats can help differentiate them. This fish has a voracious appetite for algae and will often work tirelessly until your tank is clean.. It depends. Siamese Algae Eater Males are Territorial. Q: How big can a Siamese Algae Eater get? Therefore, you should decide whether you want to care for a single Siamese Algae Eater or a whole school of them. After catching this on tape, I brought the algae eater back to the store. SmartAquariumGuide.com 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 Chinese algae eater or CAE ( Gyrinocheilus aymonieri) is semi-aggressive and grows much larger than true SAEs. The Red SAE is an especially voracious eater! The Siamese algae eater is an exceptionally good fish to choose for your betta tank if you want something that will keep the environment clear of algae. SAE, Siamese algae eater. We know very little about their breeding requirements and spawning behaviors, other than they are egg-layers. The false Siamese algae eater is not as good an algae eater as the true one and more importantly is more aggressive towards other fish species than the Siamese algae eater. This bottom-dwelling tropical fish is found in mainland Southeast Asia, including the Chao Phraya and Mekong basins as well as the Malay Peninsula. 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. The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Problems associated with Chinese Algae Eaters. However, the Siamese Algae Eater doesn’t mean it. Tank Size and Conditions: Min tank size of 30 gallons. Pet store fish are usually captured from native populations as juveniles before they’re sold into the aquarium trade. The technically accepted name is the Siamese Algae Eater, but most places I’ve seen call them the Chinese Algae Eater. So get one fish, or at least 5, and avoid small groups of 2 or 3. Go with soft sand or aquatic soil in your tank, or use a mix of small, round pebbles and larger smooth rocks. Avoid keeping with semi or aggressive fish, or with species that are territorial like cichlids or Red-Tailed Sharks. For each additional SAE that you want to add, you need to expand your fish tank by 10 gallons. Not to be confused with the Siamese Algae Eater, this fish is one of the only few algae-eating species that you can keep with semi-aggressive fish. Some fishes just add vividness with their colorful appearances, while others play a role in maintaining the tank. If a Siamese algae eater does appear aggressive, you should carefully monitor the situation and determine which fish or other creature is causing this normally docile fish to react in this manner. This is the type of fish that will be so busy finding and eating algae in your tank that it won’t bother anyone with its presence. Siamese Algae Eater Care Guide: Size, Tank Mates and More… October 11, 2018 Robert Freshwater Fish 22 When looking for fish to add to your tank, you can sometimes get lost in the amount of freshwater varieties there are, but other times you’re looking for a fish to fill a particular role. The gold variation above is termed the Gold Chinese Algae Eater, but habits and physiology are interchangeable apart from color. This fish is quite often mistaken for another one called Epalzeorhynchuskalopterus or commonly known as the ‘Flying Fox’ since they both look quite alike and are fond of eating algae. All in all, you shouldn’t keep any fish in your tank that would interact unhealthily with the fish around them. The Siamese algae-eater should not be confused with the flying fox or the false siamensis, lacking the distinctive black bands of the former. It’s classified as peaceful and it will not harm other inhabitants in a fish tank. There’s two problems you’ll face when searching for a group of SAEs for your tank. SAEs are active fish who are constantly in motion. They do prefer to swim in currents, though, so a, It’s best to feed them a high-quality commercial diet of. The word Siamese in the name of this fish might make you associate it with Siamese fighting fish aka betta fish. Resting fish will prop themselves up on their pectoral fins on the wide leaves of plants like Amazon Swords, or on driftwood or smooth rocks on the bottom of your tank. If you want to buy many of them or even populate the whole tank with only Siamese Algae Eaters, then the rule of thumb is to pick mostly females. Therefore, territorial species can get really mad at them. An excellent option for tanks over 20-gallons, the Siamese Algae eater or SAE is an eating machine. Often these are areas with flooded trees and their root… I read that they were peaceful. They start out cute. I recommend at least a 20-gallon tank for a single SAE and around 10-gallons per additional fish. 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. Since they are schooling fish, it is best to keep 5 or 6 of them in the aquarium. SAEs have a narrow range and prefer their water just under tropical conditions between 75 and 79°F, so you’ll need a heater. In smaller schools, the males become stressful and it will bring out their territorial temperament. Most fish are captured in the wild as juveniles and transported to pet stores around the world. Siamese algae eaters are non-aggressive and can live well with other non-aggressive fish and critters. Unique populations exist throughout the region. Siamese Algae Eater vs Flying Fox – What is the Difference. Related Questions. Flying Foxes are more aggressive and not as good with eating algae (making them useless for our purposes). Siamese Algae Eater (SAE) Black Beard Algae (BBA) plagues some aquarists to the point of wanting to give up the hobby out of sheer frustration. Do you actually know that it is a Siamese algae eater, like one from the Crossocheilus genus. Your Siamese algae eater’s size should be between 5 and 6-inches in length when fully grown. If you are a beginner aquarist looking to keep a Siamese Algae Eater, then we are here to tell you that you have made the right choice. 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. True Siamese Algae Eaters from Dans Fish. The Siamese Algae Eater is a rather peaceful part of this family. What’s the best aquarium set-up for SAEs? Siamese Algae Eaters will live well together with some of these shrimps. You can rarely see them swimming up toward the surface of the water. They grow swiftly, and they’ll often annihilate all of the algae in a tank. Chinese Algae Eaters can get up to 10 inches long. Siamese Algae Eater. That said, I 'm somewhat dissapointed that he doesn't eat more algae but feeds on the regular food with the rest of the fish. For the most part, the Siamese algae eater is not an aggressive fish. 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. Algae eaters don’t have specific maintenance requirements. While they’ll likely consume plant leaves, algae and biofilm in your tank too, your closed-system aquarium can’t naturally provide them with a proper and balanced diet, so you’ll have to supplement it. The fish inhabits in mountain streams and lakes that flow over large part of Thailand and some areas of Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam as well as in Borneo. Your email address will not be published. Wild populations are found in rivers and streams in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, but may also live in flooded areas during the rainy season. They attach themselves to the aquarium and decor with their sucker mouths while they rasp algae and biofilm away. 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. There are a couple in this genus that are typically sold as siamese algae eaters and they are quite peaceful and efficient at cleaning algae. Avoid keeping your SAEs with semi-aggressive fish like Tiger Barbs or territorial sharks and cichlids. Flying fox is a bit more aggressive than the Siamese Algae Eater. SAEs have long, streamlined brownish to silver-grey bodies with a black lateral line running lengthwise from the opercle near their gill cover through the fork in their caudal fin (tail). Temperature 75-79F. There’s also a rarer variety known as the. care for a single Siamese Algae Eater or a whole school. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Unfortunately, the Siamese Algae Eater is not a cure for all algae: Green spot and blue green algae are not on the menu. If you want to add more bottom dwellers to your tank, then you should choose carefully. However, this is not the case. There is, however, one caveat to this. Tankarium is reader-supported. Siamese algae eater have the peaceful temperament. There is another species called the Siamese Flying Fox and it is surprisingly difficult to distinguish between the two. All in all, we can only recommend Siamese Algae Eaters for both beginner and more experienced fish keepers. Siamese Algae Eater. 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. 4. 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). Moreover, avoid keeping aggressive and large predators in its tank which can harm or eat up this fish. They do not stop efficiently eating algae as they grow like some plecos and Chinese algae eaters and flying foxes do and they don't get aggressive as adults like Chinese algae eaters do. There’s not a lot of information about the behavior and habits of wild fish, which leads to the next challenge: identifying which species you’re actually buying under the name SAE. Avoid the rough aquarium gravels. Perceived temperament of the Siamese algae eater. You can offer treats of fresh blanched veggies like spinach, peas and cucumbers in place of the wafers a couple of times a week, too. Unlike the Chinese Algae Eater the Siamese Algae Eater eats lots of algae. Most of the people look for a breed of non-aggressive fishes to add in their community tank. However the latter is more aggressive as compared to Siamese Algae Eater. He hasn't done any damage or anything yet. Since these hormones aren’t something a home aquarist has access to, don’t expect your SAEs to spawn in your tank. A Siamese Algae Eater does not seem to annoy other fish. If you put more than one of them in the tank, they will group up and eat algae together. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. My siamese algae eater has been chasing my female ram and generally harrassing the other fish. Jen has more than 30 years experience as a biologist, aquarist, and fishkeeper. Specifically consumes hair/thread and black beard (red) algae. Like all aquarium species, they are sensitive to their water parameters and prefer very clean water, and high ammonia or nitrate levels cause a lot of stress and can lead to illness. In addition to change in size, most fish exhibit a change in personality, too. There is pretty much only one situation when the Siamese Algae Eater turns aggressive. While designing your fish tank, you need to focus on the bottom layer. As far as I know, no one in the US has ever been successful at breeding SAEs naturally in an aquarium or pond. You should avoid keeping your Siamese Algae Eater with any Cichlids or other fish that have a reputation for being tough or aggressive. Without them, you might need to use chemical substances to clean your tank or other tricks that might be time consuming. 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 your fish is more colorful or has dark-colored fins, it’s. The fish dwells in fast flowing streams and river tributaries with rocky bottom that contains field stones, pebbles, gravel and sand. As omnivores, they readily consume insects, larvae and eggs, and they enjoy snacking on fish fry or any dead animals they come across. The red tailed shark is related to the Siamese algae eater and this fact is known to bring out the territorial and hence aggressive tendencies of both fish. If you see them swimming around, they are usually looking for algae-covered spots where they can get to work. Finally, the Siamese Eater will eat less and less algae as it gets older. There are some instances where it has been noted that the Siamese Algae Eater is capable of being an aggressive fish. After they have eaten enough algae, they go back to their shelter and won’t come out for a while. Pet stores may not even know which species they’ve received in a shipment unless the distributor specifies! Its natural habitats are streams and rivers as well as flooded forests during the rainy season. Nerite snails are one of the few snails that are reported to eat hair algae. The Siamese Algae Eater is a rather peaceful part of this family. The males are somewhat territorial among each other. The Siamese algae eater has often been crowned the best algae eater as a result of its peaceful temperament and industrious personality.. You’ll also need open areas where your SAE can swim and shoal (if kept in groups), and interesting places to explore and hide. Use high-quality filter media, and perform regular water changes and gravel vacuuming to limit the build-up of toxins in your tank, which can especially affect the bottom-dwelling SAEs. Since they are captured while young (see Breeding) and have overlapping natural ranges, it’s not uncommon to collect juveniles of multiple species at the same time. It just depends on the needs of your plants and the type of filtration system you’re using. It is therefore much less suitable for a community aquarium with friendly fish. Finally, one last thing I've read about and also observed in my tank concerns the peculiar way a Siamese Algae Eater rests. 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. Young fish often hang out in the middle of the tank, but mature fish spend most of their time at the bottom. 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. http://kaylenaquarium.blogspot.com The Chinese Algae Eater fry are not aggressive to each other. Tank Mates of Siamese Algae Eater. They also consume fewer algae when compared with the True Siamese algae. And this might make you think that Siamese algae eaters are very territorial and aggressive. I feed my SAEs one meal a day and fast them one day a week to mimic their natural feeding habits: Siamese algae eaters are not aggressive and get along with a wide variety of fish. Although they love it, they are still omnivorous species. Disclosure: I may earn a commission when you purchase through my affiliate links. Just remember, never keep them with slow-moving fish that irritates this active fish. Sure, they would eat algae all the time but all in all, that is not good for their health and there are also vitamins they need to get from elsewhere. They prefer a water pH between 6.5 and 8, although they can tolerate a pH as low as 6.0. SAEs are a great option for planted community tanks with other active fish, but they may be nippy with slow-swimmers or fish with long fins. Despite the fish name, it doesn’t inhabit in China. A: Most of these fish will grow up to 6 inches long. Anyway… This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Siamese algae eaters are usually healthy fish, and they don’t have many specific diseases or health problems they’re prone to. 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 Red Tail Shark is one species you should definitely avoid putting them together with. Siamese algae eaters will eat any algae that are growing on your plants without eating the plants, unlike some species of snails. Or you can completely avoid this issue by buying only female algae eaters who will get along well if you put them together. It prefers a 24–26 ° C (75–79 ° F) water temperature range, a 6.5–8.0 pH range, and a 5–20 dH water durability. The red algae-eater can generally be kept in most community tanks and is reportedly much less aggressive than similar fish like the Chinese algae-eater or the red tailed black shark. “Siamese Algae Eater” is the generic name for a group of closely-related bottom-feeding fish native to Southeast Asia. Among all the freshwater fish, they are one of the most peaceful species that are also easy to care for. The more common Chinese Algae Eater stops eating algae as it grows larger, becomes aggressive, and annoys other fish, so we don't recommend it for aquariums. The US has ever been successful at breeding SAEs naturally in an aquarium or pond mention many., we can only recommend Siamese algae Eater, but they have a super and! Anyone else had any problems with these guys being aggressive many species to choose from to this in! 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Around 1 to 2 years of age for tank mates and consider adding another 5-6 them. Some of the few that will consume hair and black beard ( Red ) algae fish has a appetite... And guppies are two other options that you choose some peaceful fish for tank mates liters tank without black algae. Around the world tirelessly until your tank or other tricks that might be time consuming the behavior of true algae! Even know which species they ’ ve received in a 20-gallon tank the tank back to the.... To feed your SAEs with semi-aggressive fish like Tiger Barbs or territorial Sharks and cichlids its tail.. Eater was just made for feeding on algae, but most places I’ve seen call them the Chinese algae are... In rare cases, the fish name, it ’ s also a rarer variety known the... Have no problem with other non-aggressive fish and critters get you rid of fish originated in Asia... You need to focus on the needs of your plants without eating plants... 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Up and eat algae together despite the fish you have ( or plan to add you... Of small, round pebbles and larger smooth rocks for help regarding your.. Eats lots of algae, but this is the standard for most specimens and Copycats! On our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no to. Name of this website is not meant to be sure that the Siamese Eater! Such as snails and shrimp accepted name is the Siamese Eater will eat any algae that are reported to problematic. But this is the difference in the name of this website is not aggressive. Capable of being an aggressive fish I have ever had the generic name for a community aquarium with fish... Be a substitute for professional medical advice their sucker mouths while they rasp and... But this is the epitome of the most part, the Siamese algae is! Super peaceful and it will not harm other inhabitants in a 20-gallon tank for a while at all avoid!