Feeding

Young Chinese Algae Eaters

Chinese algae eaters need more to eat than just the algae in your aquarium. Similar to other fish in your aquarium, Chinese algae eaters require nourishment. They will need sinking food so they can “find” the food. When they are young, their primary diet should consist of algae wafers, supplemented with protein-based foods such as bloodworms and flake food. One effective method to feed flake food to these fish is to place a generous portion in your palm, moisten it with a few drops of water, and then shape it into a tight ball. Your algae eater and other aquarium fish will enjoy this ball once it sinks.

Feeding Adult CAEs:

As your Chinese Algae Eater (CAE) gets older, they will want to switch to a mostly protein diet. In the wild, the juvenile CAE will graze on algae because it is simple to get into their oddly shaped mouth. As adults, their mouths expand to accommodate the consumption of worms, shrimp, and other small insects, necessitating the transition of adult fish to protein-based diets in aquariums.

Growing Huge Chinese Algae Eaters

The key to growing large algae eaters is to provide an abundant variety of good foods, while keeping in mind that although the young algae eaters tend to eat more greens, the adult fish will require more protein-based foods.

Provide the largest tank you can afford, but no less than 30 gallons per algae eater.

The cleaner the aquarium and aquarium water, the better. Provide more filtration than you think your Chinese algae eater will need. Regular, large water changes are a given.

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Original Habitat:

Chinese algae eaters originally came from Southeast Asia, including Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam where they are used as food fish.

Chinese algae eaters’ natural habitat is in fast-flowing (clean water) streams. The water in these streams is well oxygenated, so make sure your tank water is well agitated. Powerheads for airflow and water flow would probably work best.

Identifying CAEs

People also refer to Chinese algae eaters (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri) as honey suckers and sucking loaches. Chinese algae eaters’ colors range from grey to grey-green to tan or light brown. They have an irregular dark stripe along their sides and an irregular line of dark spots on the top of their bodies.

You can also purchase Chinese algae eaters in a light gold color, typically devoid of spots or lines. The coloration looks almost like an albino variation but without the pink eyes.

Chinese Algae Eaters Imposters

*  Siamese algae eaters: Siamese algae eaters look very similar to the Chinese algae eaters, but Siamese algae eaters have barbels (fleshy filaments) on their upper lip. These barbells look a little like a mustache.

*  Flying Fox Fish: Flying fox fish look a lot like Chinese algae eaters. The most notable difference is that flying fox fish have a thicker, solid, dark line running along their sides. A thin white or yellowish line runs along the top part of the dark line, accentuating the dark stripe.

Tankmates

Fish That Are Safe To Keep With Your Chinese Algae Eater

It’s best to keep Chinese algae eaters in a tank or, if you have a large aquarium, in groups of five or more, as they can be aggressive toward their own or similar species. This allows them to share or pass on their aggression. Other fish that would work well with CAE’s are similarly sized cichlids, rainbow fish, barbs, danios, and other fast-moving or large fish.

Don’t Keep These Fish With Your Chinese Algae Eater:

You don’t want to keep Discus and Angelfish with your CAE. Discus and angelfish look like a good, easy-to-chew snack to a Chinese algae eater. The discus and angelfish move slowly through the tank. This makes it simple for a CAE to latch on for a good chewing. Who can blame the CAE? After all, discus and angelfish resemble snack plates!

Chinese algae eaters are aggressive with members of their own species or fish that inhabit the same level of the aquarium. This would include other CAEs, Siamese Algae Eaters, Flying Fox Algae Eaters, and red-tailed sharks.

Breeding

Chinese algae eaters are just about impossible to breed in the aquarium. Your pet store sells Chinese algae eaters bred in large ponds under premium conditions. Growers will use hormones in the ponds to stimulate Chinese algae eaters to breed.

Aquarium Conditions

The Chinese algae eater needs a tank appropriate for its full-grown adult size. The adult size of a Chinese algae eater can range from 6 inches to 11 inches for an older, well-cared-for specimen. A minimum requirement would be a lightly stocked tank of at least 30 gallons. I would recommend a lightly stocked tank of 55 gallons or larger.

CAEs need an aquarium that has clean, well-oxygenated water and a decent amount of water movement. We recommend Powerheads for this purpose.

A good, active filtration system is a given. Make sure the filter forces the water through the filter medium, vs. a system where the water just passes over the filter material.

Chinese Algae Eaters can tolerate a wide range of water hardness, but a pH of 6.5 to 7 is ideal.

Maintain temperatures between 75°F and 79°F.

Age

How Old Can Chinese Algae Eaters Get?

In an aquarium, your CAE may live up to 10 years.

 So there you have it…

You now have all the information you sought about Chinese algae eaters.

But wait! There’s more! If there’s anything I’ve missed or you’re interested in learning more about a Chinese algae eater topic I’ve covered, please leave a note in the comment section, and I’ll add it to this article.

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