Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
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(Redirected from Chinese algae eater)
| Chinese Algae Eater (CAE) | |
| |
| CAE | |
| Species | Gyrinocheilus aymonieri |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Min. Tank Size | 94.635 liters 94,635.295 mL 25 US Gallons (94.6L) |
| Size | 27.94 cm
5-11 " (12.7-27.9cm) |
| pH | 6.5 - 8.0 |
| Temp. | 348.15 K 167 °F 626.67 °R 355.15 K |
| Water Hardness |
5-18 |
| Stocking Ratio | 1:1 M:F |
| Availability | Very Common |
| Diet | |
| Life Span |
2-5 years |
Contents |
[edit] Alternative names
- Chinese Algae Eater, CAE, Indian Algae Eater, Sucking Loach, Golden Algae Eater, Lemon Algae Eater
[edit] Sexing
- The males barbels are more numerous and longer than the females.
[edit] Tank compatibility
- Best in a species tank as this fish matures and becomes aggressive. Do not keep with smaller fish such as Neon Tetras or slow moving high-backed fish such as Angelfish and Discus. They must never be kept with Goldfish.
[edit] Diet
- When young will eat algae. As it ages it quickly loses the taste for plant material and likes to eat the slime and eyeballs of larger fish, and may even eat smaller fish entirely.
[edit] Feeding regime
- Par-boiled spinach, lettuce, catfish wafers when over 6 months old. Eats mainly algae when younger.
[edit] Environment Specifics
- Perfers a planted aquarium with lots of hiding places.
[edit] Behaviour
- Hides most of the time during the day. Become territorial and aggressive as it ages. By a year old it may attack other similar shaped fish and has been known to eat the slime coating and eyes of other larger fish.
[edit] Identification
- This fish is golden in colour with a dark band running throught its body and a series of dark blobs alongside. It has a large sucker mouth for holding onto boulders and other flat surfaces. A brighter yellow morph with a very feint band is also available. It also has a large opening on the top of each gill where it breathes and ejects rejected food.
[edit] Special Note
- This fish is sold cheaply across the world as a small 'algae eater'. This it does to some degree when young. But it grows fast and after it reaches 4-5" in length it may start attacking large slow fish like Angel fish or Goldfish for their slimecoat. So the CAE is not a good community fish. Most shops don't tell the customer about this nasty side of it.
[edit] Pictures
 5" long CAE |
 Front View |
 CAE |
 Golden CAE |
[edit] External links
Facts about Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
| Availability | Very Common |
| Common name | Chinese Algae Eater (CAE) |
| Diet | Omnivore + |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Family | Gyrinocheilidae + |
| Foods | Pellet Food +, and Flake Food + |
| Maximum Size | 11 in (27.94 cm) + |
| Maximum age | 5 + |
| Maximum hardness | 18 + |
| Maximum pH | 8 + |
| Maximum temperature | 355.15 K (82 °C, 179.6 °F, 639.27 °R) + |
| Minimum Tank Size | 25 US Gallon (94.635 liters, 94,635.295 mL) + |
| Minimum hardness | 5 + |
| Minimum pH | 6.5 + |
| Minimum temperature | 348.15 K (75 °C, 167 °F, 626.67 °R) + |
| Scientific name | Gyrinocheilus aymonieri |
