Chinese Algae Eaters

[JRB__]

I think I've purchased myself two little problems...
I have just gotton two Chinese algae eater. 1 normal 1 gold
Stupidly I waited until after I purchased them to find out a little more info on them.
I've read the following:

- They get extremely aggressive and territorial as they grow.
- They don't eat algae when they're kept in coldwater.
- They won't tolerate their own kind when they are older.
- They grow up to 12" regardless of the size of aquarium.
- They will attack slower moving fish and attach themselves to them and can even kill by basically sucking a hole in them.
But the kicker is...!
- They eat algae less and less as they grow and eventually stop altogether turning, simply, into an aggressive, territorial bottom feeder!

Anyone who can confirm or bust these 'facts' ? Anyone have any experience with these fish or any input? Is this why everyone in the states seems to use Otos??

[ValRasbora]

That is exactly why I prefer researching **before** buying. You can always take 'um back if it hasn't been to long since you bought them. Make sure they are CAE and not SAE, SAE (siamese algae eaters) grow about 5 inch, and are good algae eaters.

[OrangeCones]

Originally Posted by JRB__

I think I've purchased myself two little problems...
I have just gotton two Chinese algae eater. 1 normal 1 gold
Stupidly I waited until after I purchased them to find out a little more info on them.
I've read the following:

- They get extremely aggressive and territorial as they grow.
- They don't eat algae when they're kept in coldwater.
- They won't tolerate their own kind when they are older.
- They grow up to 12" regardless of the size of aquarium.
- They will attack slower moving fish and attach themselves to them and can even kill by basically sucking a hole in them.
But the kicker is...!
- They eat algae less and less as they grow and eventually stop altogether turning, simply, into an aggressive, territorial bottom feeder!

Anyone who can confirm or bust these 'facts' ? Anyone have any experience with these fish or any input? Is this why everyone in the states seems to use Otos??

Yes, I can confirm all of the above, PLUS its not from China, so its neither Chinese nor an Algae Eater after it reaches a certain size.

Can you post a picture of them? They look very similar to SAE, Flying Fox and Oto. It's a good idea to know for sure what you have. A fish store near me had CAE in 3 different tanks, but labeled as SAE and Oto in two of them. I've bought Otos from tanks where they were labeled as CAE. They get mixed up all the time.

[epond83]

Most of that is true, 12" seems a bit big i would say more 6" range. I hade one in my fish tank and around the 4" size became aggessive and would hunt down the other fish. The tetras where fast enough that he didn't get any before i pulled him out. He then lived in my turtles tank where he hid all day and ate brown algea like crazy! After a year or two the turlte finally got him. Kinda said cause he fit in perfect in the tank, no one to pick on and kept the brown algea at bay.

[JRB__]

Originally Posted by OrangeCones

Yes, I can confirm all of the above, PLUS its not from China, so its neither Chinese nor an Algae Eater after it reaches a certain size.

Can you post a picture of them? They look very similar to SAE, Flying Fox and Oto. It's a good idea to know for sure what you have. A fish store near me had CAE in 3 different tanks, but labeled as SAE and Oto in two of them. I've bought Otos from tanks where they were labeled as CAE. They get mixed up all the time.

Well I researched them and from most websites it says that CAE & SAE are the same fish just different common names. The pet store told me they were SAE not CAE but I argued that they are the same thing... they didn't know enough to argue back so they have agreed to take them both back but now I can't catch the SOB's, they're soo fast and my tank has way to many hiding spots lol. But if SAE are diff to CAE and won't turn aggressive and won't stop eating algae I'm more than happy to keep them as so far they have kicked butt at devouring algae.
I'll go try and get a decent pic of them with my mobile and I'll post it.
Thanks for your help everyone.

[epond83]

SAE are very good to have in a tank, the two have simular body shape but CAE have a sucker mouth and SAE have a regualar mouth that is pointed more downward. Also there is a flying fox fish which is simular to the SAE, not as good but not as bad as CAE

this page might help a little bit Identifying the Siamese Algae Eater

[JRB__]

Ok here's a few pics. In the second pic, one is a much smaller gold CAE (i think) Let me know if you need better pics.
Thanks

[epond83]

Those are for sure CAE's depending on what you have in there you are going to want to get rid of those CAE's before they get bigger and aggressive.

Good luck catching them, i had to just about empty my tank to catch mine.

SAE's are great to have, Oto's work well, there are algea eating shrimp, and also malaysian trump snails. All of these do not eat live plants and are not agressive (well the shrimp might fight for some food flakes but nothing harmful) I have all 4 in varying numbers as a clean up crew in my tank other then a little green spot algea they keep the tank pretty clean.

[JRB__]

Originally Posted by epond83

SAE are very good to have in a tank, the two have simular body shape but CAE have a sucker mouth and SAE have a regualar mouth that is pointed more downward. Also there is a flying fox fish which is simular to the SAE, not as good but not as bad as CAE

this page might help a little bit Identifying the Siamese Algae Eater

Thanks,
I think I definately have CAE

[JRB__]

Originally Posted by epond83

Those are for sure CAE's depending on what you have in there you are going to want to get rid of those CAE's before they get bigger and aggressive.

Good luck catching them, i had to just about empty my tank to catch mine.

SAE's are great to have, Oto's work well, there are algea eating shrimp, and also malaysian trump snails. All of these do not eat live plants and are not agressive (well the shrimp might fight for some food flakes but nothing harmful) I have all 4 in varying numbers as a clean up crew in my tank other then a little green spot algea they keep the tank pretty clean.

Arrgghhh! I knew it... thanks for the quick reply.
Well i'm off to remove everything out of my tank and catch these pr*cks..
BTW I have a breeding pair of Blue acara's and a baby tiger oscar in with them. They have to go, it just sucks because we rarely get oto's round here...stupid import laws lol. Shrimp and snails won't survive my male blue acara. Are flying fox a better option if I can find them?