Siamese Algae Eater – Crossocheilus siamensis
Species name: Crossocheilus siamensis
Common names: Siamese Algae Eater, SAE
Family: Cyprinidae
Order: Cypriniformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Maximum length: 5-6 inches
Minimum tank size: 25 gal minimum
Hardiness: Easy to moderate
Aggressiveness: Generally peaceful but can be slightly territorial with their own species. They should kept either singly, or as a group of 5-6 or more in a large tanks.
Distribution: Southeast Asia includes the Chao Phraya and Mekong basins as well as the Malay Peninsula.
Diet: Omnivore: This is a good algae eater but they will need other food as well as there isn’t enough algae to sustain them. Will usually take all types of live, frozen and flake food. Feed them a varied diet with a lot of vegetable matter.
Additional information:
The Siamese Algae Eater is native to the southeast Asia where it is found in streams, rivers and also into flooded forests during periods of high water. It likes to live in groupes and to rest on top of leaves which can support it’s weight, such as the Amazon Sword, and on driftwood/rocks.
The Siamese Algae Eater is grayish-brown and has an elongate body with a slighly flat belly. It also has a distinctive black horizontal stripe that goes from the tip of its nose, all the way down to the tip of the tail. All of the SAE’s fins are clear.
Unfortunately it is easily confused with other similar species such as the False Siamensis Epalzeorhynchus sp. and the Flying Fox Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus.
The Flying Fox Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus has a extra thin bronze strip on top of the black stripe. Its black stripe continues down through the tail like the real Siames Algae Eater. One thing to look for are markings on the fins. There are distinct dark bands on the fins, accompanied by white coloration on the tips. The black band has rough edges and doesn’t go into the caudal fin.
The False Siamensis Epalzeorhynchus sp. has a narrow lighter band above the black band. All fins are yellowish in color except for the bectorals. The False Siamensis also has two set of barbels and a sucker mouth. The easiest way to distinguish a False Siamensis from an SAE is that a False Siamensis has a stripe that is smooth on the edges and stops at the tail. It is not as good an algae eater as the true Siamese Algae Eater and is more aggressibe towards other fish species.
The Siamese Algae Eater became poppular for it’s appetite for algae. Unlike other fish that may be called algae eaters, the Siames Algae Eater really does the job. However, if it can’t find enough algae in your tank, it will quickly turn it’s attention to other plants.
This fish appreciate the company of its own species and may become timid if kept in solitary conditions. The best is to keep it in groups of 3 to 6. They will sleep, swim and feed in groups.
The ideal aquarium setup consist in a well oxygenated and heavy planted tank with low to medium water movement. This fish is well known to jump out of the tank so a tight-fitting lid should cover the tank. Most of the time, it will try to jump out when the oxygen levels is falling.
The water temperature should be at 73-80 degrees F, pH between 6 and 8 and Hardness at about 5 dGH.
Do you have experience with the Siamese Algae Eater – Crossocheilus siamensis?
Share with us using the comment box bellow.
Article written by www.aquariumslife.com
References: www.aquariumslife.com
Popularity: 1% [?]
