Gyrinocheilus aymonieri

From The Aquarium Wiki

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 179.6 °F 639.27 °R75 -82 °C (167-179.6°F)
Water Hardness	5-18
Stocking Ratio	1:1 M:F
Availability	Very Common
Diet	Omnivore Pellet Foods Flake Foods
Life Span	2-5 years

[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

• Fishbase
• Badmans Tropical Fish
• Practical Fishkeeping
• PetResources
• PDF from PetCo