Siamese algae eater, also known as Crossocheilus siamensis or Crossocheilus oblongus, is a freshwater fish that belong to the Cyprinidae subfamily of the carp family.
This bottom-dwelling tropical fish are naturally found in Thailand and other countries on the Southeast Asian continent. It can also be found in the basins of the Mekong and Chao Phraya as well as the Malay Peninsula.
Siamese algae eaters favor the rivers and streams that make up their native habitat. During the rainy season in this area, they are frequently seen in areas of flooded forests.
These fish are great options for new aquarium hobbyists because they need little maintenance and don’t have special preferences for tank mates, diet, or other living conditions.
A word of advice: try not to overcrowd the tank with Siamese. Even while these fish are fantastic at constantly cleaning the tank as they gorge on algae, it’s crucial to keep in mind that all fish, especially the Siamese kind, produce their own excrement that can contaminate the aquarium.
I. Size
- Average Adult Size: 15 centimeters (6 inches)
- Maximum Adult Size: 6 inches
- Swimming Level:Â Bottom
II. You would love the fish because…</
Siamese algae eaters are long, slender, and brownish-beige-colored fish. The body of this fish species is covered in a striking black stripe that extends from nose to tail, with one eye-catching line on each side.
The fish can be hidden from its natural predators in the wild by this stripe’s propensity to blend into the background of the water.
With a moustache that some refer to as rostral barbels, the distinctive black stripe extends to the tip of the fish’s nearly transparent caudal fin.
The male is a slimmer and more streamlined male fish, while the female has a somewhat wider span across its central part.
Another distinguishing feature of these fish’s appearance is that they lack the typical “swim bladder” found in most fish. These fish will quickly sink to the bottom of a tank or other aquatic habitat if they are not kept moving.
III. Is this fish species peaceful or hostile?
- Recommended: 1
- Overall hostility: Peaceful
- Hostility towards own species: Peaceful
- Hostility towards other Species: Peaceful
IV. Species compatibility.
Siamese algae eaters are peaceful creatures, which means there’s a long list of potential tank mates.
Gouramis, schools of Barbs, Tetras or Danios, Angel Fish, Guppies, swordtails, or cory cats.
Keep in mind that your tank companions don’t necessarily have to be aquatic animals. Other creatures can be included, and the majority of them also like to consume algae. The most prevalent are snails and shrimp (Amano, Cherry, and Ghost) (like nerite snails).
V. How to feed this species?
Algae eaters move over the aquarium’s sides and bottom, using their sucker mouths to remove algae. They may consume commercial pelleted food as well. Select the proper size of algae discs or spirulina pellets. Feed your new pet algae eater wafers every day and add in sporadic fresh vegetable supplements, such as sliced zucchini or kale.
Recommended Food
- Optimum Fish Food
- Hikari USA Inc AHK21316 Tropical Algae Wafer Fish Food
Word for the wise