When it comes to having an aquarium, everyone dreads cleaning it out or dealing with algae. That green gunk that makes your water murky and tells you it’s time to do a water change.
If you’re waiting that long to change the water, first of all, you aren’t working to a schedule that is optimized for the health of your fish. Water changes should be weekly in most cases and every other week, at least dependent on your community makeup.
But what most people do to keep things in a better balance is find the right type of species you can include to keep algae under control. After all, it’s a natural food source for many fish or invertebrates that are in the hobby.
Some people choose snails or small shrimp to help clean their tanks. Various bottom feeders and fish with sucker-mouths also do the job really well.
The Siamese Algae Eater (Crossocheilus oblongs) is one of those freshwater fish that do the job really well. Originally from Asia, as their name implies, they love fast-moving waters like streams and rivers. During the wet season, when field basins flood, they move into those waters too.
They can sometimes also be confused with the Chinese Algae Eater or Siamese Flying Foxes (no, not the winged kind of bat!).
Their relatively large size and peaceful nature make them ideal for just about every setup as they are unlikely to be mistaken for food like some smaller fish that clean up algae.
Let’s take a look at how to best care for this cleanup crew and discover why they are so popular.
Siamese Algae Eater Behavior
Peaceful is the name of the game here. Siamese Algae Eaters (or SAE’s) are not going to be troublemakers in your tank.
They also are a very active fish that prefers to move around the tank a lot, so for many hobbyists, this is a bonus because they will feast on algae all over the tank and can do so quite quickly.
These active movers add interest to your tank while they clean, whereas most other algae consumers are on the slow side.
They will usually be seen on the bottom layers of the tank, where they will find algal blooms to feast on.
Depending on your tank size, you can have a small group of them too, and they will often stick together, cleaning as they go. Choose to have a single one or have five or more in a small group, so they have their own territories.
They have fun personalities and are social for bottom dwellers. They will get along with just about any other fish but can stress out some calmer species that may find their constant motion a little less relaxing!
The constant need for motion is due to them lacking a swim bladder, but they will need resting spots like caves or driftwood to allow them some downtime as required.
A word of caution to note here is that they can be fin-nippers, so avoid keeping them with other fish in your community that have long-flowing fins like Bettas, Guppies, Platys, or Swordtails.
Siamese Algae Eater Lifespan
Normally you can expect SAEs to live for up to 10 years if they are provided with their ideal tank setup.
We will discuss more on tank requirements a little later in this article.
Siamese Algae Eater Appearance
SAE’s have long, narrow bodies and can grow up to 6 inches in length. They have a flattened torpedo-like shape and are silvery in color with a thick black stripe that runs the length of their bodies from the nose through to the caudal fin.
What many consumers get confused with is their appearance when compared to Siamese Flying Foxes.
They bear a resemblance to one another. However, the Flying Fox has some flaps visible by the corners of its mouth. Its lateral stripe also ends at the onset of the caudal fin.
Chinese Algae Eaters are similarly shaped but look different enough it is likely more of a name game that people get confused about.
They have flat sucker-shaped mouths, which is what makes them the perfect consumer of algae-like many other bottom dwellers.
Fins are transparent, with the exception of the striping on the caudal fin that sets them apart. They also possess tiny little barbels like other types of carp and catfish.
When schooling, they can look quite flashy in the tank with their shimmering silvery bodies.
Siamese Algae Eater Habitat And Tank Requirements
This tropical river-dwelling fish enjoys some serious current and water flow. So you can amp up the water movement in your tank as long as your community fish are just as thrilled about those conditions as your SAE’s are.
While they are considered a cleanup crew type of fish, this doesn’t mean they want stagnant water to reside in. Fresh, clean water is what is required for these fish to thrive.
A good amount of live plants is also ideal for their perfect landscape, even though these fish are not particularly fussy when it comes to your setup.
Tank Conditions
Siamese Algae Eaters enjoy some current, so canister filters work really well or a hang-on back filter. Employing a wavemaker will keep the current consistent and is a nice touch.
Sandy substrates work best for these bottom dwellers, and you’ll want to avoid any sharp-edged rocky material in your design.
Planting is essential for these fish to feel secure, so make it dense and fast-growing as these guys may nibble on the live plants.
Don’t forget that they need resting spots and hidey holes or tunnels and caves for when they take a break. Driftwood can also work well here.
Some good plant options for Siamese Algae Eaters are Amazon Swords, Hornwort, Java Fern, Bolbitis, Anubias, and Anacharis.
These movers and shakers like to jump when the mood hits them, too, so include a lid in your setup to avoid anyone abandoning the ship.
Airstones can be a nice added touch as well as air curtains as long as the flow isn’t too extreme, but your SAE’s will enjoy the added variety.
Water changes will need to be done each week with at least 30% per change, which will help keep nitrate levels to a minimum.
Water conditions should be noted, tested regularly, and maintained as follows:
- a pH of 6.5 – 7.0
- Water hardness 5 – 20 dGH
- Temperature between 75 – 79ºF (24 – 26ºC)
- Lighting should be standard
Tank Size
The minimum tank size needed is 30 gallons for a single Siamese Algae Eater, and add another 10 gallons for every additional one you add if you choose to house a school.
The tank shape needs to ideally be long so that they have plenty of room to maneuver and maintain their relentless active swimming without stressing out calmer fish species. Aim for 36 inches in length minimum.
Choosing Tank Mates For Siamese Algae Eaters
Siamese Algae Eaters are peaceful fish, but like most species can get a little aggressive around mating season.
Here are some of the best species to mix in with your SAE’s:
You’ll want to avoid any overly aggressive species like Red-Tailed Sharks and Cichlids in general, as well as more territorial bottom dwellers that may harass your SAE when trying to rest.
Feel free to include invertebrates like shrimp and snails who will work well alongside your SAE’s without too much bother.
How To Feed Siamese Algae Eaters
While it might sound obvious that Siamese Algae Eaters do what it says on the tin, which is eating algae, they will consume a varied diet as they are actually omnivores.
They enjoy nibbling on plant matter and other vegetation but are also opportunistic if they come upon insects or other smaller dead fish. They have more of a scavenger’s appetite.
Much of the usual freshwater fish food fare will suit these unfussy eaters. Bloodworms, Brine Shrimp, can be served live or frozen.
You should ideally include other items like good quality flaked or pellet foods and even algae wafers if their cleaning has been top-notch to supplement.
Something to consider when feeding your SAEs needs to be estimated by observation. If you notice them munching on the live vegetation in your setup often, then they may not be getting enough supplemental food, especially if they’ve been very efficient cleaning the tank for algae.
If you overfeed them protein-rich things, you may inadvertently end up with a not-so-clean tank since they are satiated from your offerings.
Balance is key, as well as keen observations!
Common Health Issues Of Siamese Algae Eaters
Siamese Algae Eaters do not harbor any species-specific health issues to be concerned about.
Yes, the usual freshwater fish afflictions can afflict these guys, too, so you do need to keep an eye on them for anything untoward.
Ich is a tiny parasite that infects their gills and occurs in patches of white dots on the body. If you notice your fish rubbing up against tank decor, they are most likely going up against this disease.
Ich is primarily treated through more thorough and frequent water changes and improving the food quality. Make sure you provide them with the best quality of food you can source so that you don’t have to deal with this highly contagious disease.
If you can keep your tank conditions clean and tidy, it’s always best for your fish. It’s never an ideal situation for fish to be in foul water that is steadily building up ammonia and nitrates due to the bioload in the tank.
How To Breed Siamese Algae Eaters
If you’re looking for a breeding project, then trying your hand with Siamese Algae Eaters is probably not going to be the best idea.
Unfortunately, they are just not receptive to spawning in home tank setups and are only successfully bred in commercial tanks where they have the help of supplemental hormones.
Most available to suppliers come from these commercial farms, so you can be sure that you aren’t directly impacting the wild populations.
That being said, when obtaining any, look out for their size and activity levels to ensure you’re getting a healthy specimen. Anything under their mature 6-inch size is likely to be under 3 – 4 months old, so you can ensure you’re getting a fish for a long lifespan if you provide them with the right requirements.
It’s best left to the experts when it comes to these fish! If you feel like expanding your school, it’s off to the aquarium shops.
Are Siamese Algae Eaters The Right Fit For Your Tank Setup?
Without a doubt, they could and should be!
While their looks are not flashy, they are definitely more easy on the eyes than many other bottom dwellers! Their active behavior makes them interesting to observe as they do their thing, cleaning up your tank with never-ending zeal.
They make a great community fish you can introduce to other similarly sized fish, and their usefulness is unparalleled in a tank for both newbies or experienced hobbyists alike.
Unfussy by nature and peaceful to a huge degree, they shouldn’t cause your tank much trouble, and if anything, this adds to their popularity since they will always be zipping around (unless they need a well-deserved cleaning break).
If you chose to get some, be sure to check that caudal fin stripe is present and that you’re not ending up with a Siamese Flying Fox instead. Many stockists may misrepresent the species they are selling as they can be so confusing. To be clear, that is a different species with different needs despite their twinsies appearance!
Go with the Siamese if you please, just no foxes if you want the real deal.
