Siamese Algae Eater (Crossocheilus oblongus) 4cm

The Siamese Algae Eater (Crossocheilus oblongus) is widely considered one of the best algae-eating fish in the aquarium hobby. Highly valued by aquascapers, this peaceful and hardworking fish is famous for its unique ability to consume stubborn black beard algae (BBA) and green hair algae.

Appearance & Identification

It is very easy to confuse the true Siamese Algae Eater (SAE) with lookalikes like the Flying Fox or Chinese Algae Eater. Look for these specific traits to confirm you have a true SAE:

The Stripe: A single, ragged black horizontal stripe runs from the nose all the way through to the very edge of the tail fin.

No Gold line: Unlike the Flying Fox, there is no smooth gold or yellow line running above the black stripe.

Fins: All fins are completely clear or transparent.

Mouth: They possess one small pair of barbels (whiskers) near the mouth.

Size: They grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) in length with a torpedo-shaped body.

Tank Setup & Water Parameters

SAEs originate from fast-flowing rivers and streams in Southeast Asia. They need a well-oxygenated tank with proper filtration.

Minimum Tank Size: At least 30 to 40 gallons for a single adult. A larger tank (75+ gallons) is required if keeping a group.

Water Temperature: Warm water between 24°C to 28°C (75°F to 82°F).

pH Range: Slightly acidic to neutral, ideally 6.5 to 7.5.

Hardness: 5 to 15 dGH (soft to moderately hard).

Decor: Provide plenty of broad-leafed live plants, driftwood, and smooth rocks. They love to rest their fins directly on top of leaves.

Diet & Feeding Habits

While they are excellent clean-up crew members, you must understand their shifting dietary preferences as they grow:

Juveniles vs. Adults: Young SAEs are ravenous algae eaters. As they grow into large adults, they quickly realize commercial fish food is easier to eat than grazing on algae.

Targeted Diet: They are omnivores. Supplement their diet with high-quality sinking pellets, algae wafers, and blanched vegetables like zucchini or spinach.

Algae Control Tip:

If your adult SAE stops eating algae, cut back on community tank feeding or fast the tank for a few days to motivate them to graze again.