The Complete Chinese Algae Eater Care Guide: Tank Setup, Feeding, Tankmates and Behavior
(Gyrinocheilus aymonieri) – Image provided by https://infoproekt24.com/ (tap to visit)
Key takeaways from this page:
* Adult Chinese Algae Eaters often become more active during the evening and at night, although their activity patterns can vary. I’ve never kept an adult CAE, so I can’t confirm this from personal experience.
* Chinese Algae Eaters inhabit fast moving high oxygen streams in the wild, so you should provide strong flows of water in their aquarium. You can use the power heads to aerate the tank.
* Young Chinese Algae Eaters prefer a herbivore diet (plant based), but adults prefer an omnivore diet (plants and proteins).
* Chinese Algae Eaters can grow to around 11 inches long, so don’t buy one unless you have room for a large, active, aggressive fish.
* Algae Eaters very rarely breed in an aquarium.
Answers to Questions You Have About Chinese Algae Eaters
How big do Chinese Algae Eaters Get?
Chinese Algae Eaters generally grow up to about 11 inches long.
Is keeping Chinese Algae Eaters easy or difficult?
CAE are easy to care for when young but they become much more difficult as they grow. This is due to the fact that the adults grow to be quite large, plus they are usually aggressive with other fish.
Life Span: How long do Algae Eaters Live?
Chinese Algae Eaters can live up to 10 years under good care. I’ve never kept one that long.
What size aquarium do they need?
“Your 55-gallon recommendation is not unreasonable as a starting point, but I would recommend more room for a fully grown specimen. Some care references recommend approximately 65–80 gallons or more.” Fishkeeping, UK
What should the water temperature be for Chinese Algae Eaters?
I’d keep the water temperature around 75–80°F (24–27°C), which is within the range used for many tropical aquarium fish.
What should you feed a CAE?
When young Chinese Algae Eaters are herbivores. They will want fresh, frozen, canned, or cooked vegetables. Also algae disk, pellet, or homemade fish food would work.
As Chinese Algae Eaters mature, they often eat less algae and need a more varied diet. Offer sinking pellets, algae wafers, vegetables, and occasional protein-rich foods such as frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, or other suitable aquarium foods.
Important: Do not feed bloodworms to your fish. The fish are apparently unable to digest the shells and because of this, the fish might die. Let me put it this way: “Bloodworms can kill fish.” Put the frozen bloodworms back in the freezer and get the frozen brine shimp.
My pick for Best On Amazon for "Algae Eater Food":
API Sinking Algae Eater Food
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How to Identify Chinese Algae Eaters and Understand Their Behavior
Chinese algae eaters (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri), also known as honey suckers or sucking loaches, are commonly kept in freshwater aquariums. Chinese Algae Eaters are usually gray, brown, or tan, with a dark stripe running along each side of their body. They may also have dark spots or markings along their backs.
A light gold variation is also available, which usually lacks the characteristic spots and stripes. Some people mistake the gold variety for an albino, but gold Chinese Algae Eaters generally have dark eyes rather than the pink or reddish eyes associated with albinism.
Activity and Behavior
Chinese Algae Eaters may become more active at night as they mature, although you can also see them moving around during the day.
- Juvenile Behavior: Young Chinese Algae Eaters spend much of their time exploring the aquarium and scraping algae and biofilm from rocks, decorations, and glass.
- Adult Behavior: As Chinese Algae Eaters get older, some become territorial and may start bothering other fish in the aquarium. Some adults attach themselves to other fish and chew on them, particularly slower-moving species, and may damage their protective slime coating. Repeated attacks can cause injuries and leave those fish vulnerable to infection. This aggressive behavior can lead to serious injury or death for both small and large fish.
Natural Habitat
Chinese Algae Eaters come from Southeast Asia, including Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Despite their name, they aren’t native to China.
In the wild, Chinese Algae Eaters live in rivers and streams where the water moves quickly and contains plenty of dissolved oxygen. You can provide similar conditions in your aquarium by doing two things:
* Keep the water well-oxygenated by using good filtration and maintaining movement at the surface.
* You can use a powerhead with the air tube attached to create additional water movement, but make sure your fish also have places to rest away from the strongest current..
Physical description
(Wikipedia – Edited)
G. aymonieri has been recorded as reaching at least 28 cm (11 inches)… The mouth is inferior with a special “sucker” modification which allows the fish to attach itself to smooth surfaces…
Wild type colour varies from pale grey to olive, with darker markings along the lateral line which vary from a solid stripe with alternating higher and lower extensions to uneven dots. The belly is usually paler than the base colour. Some darker markings may also be observed along the back and on the caudal fin, but no dark markings occur on the pelvic and anal fins.
Aquarium Size & Water Parameters
Tank Size
Mature Chinese algae Eaters typically reaching 6 to 11 inches in length when well cared for. Make sure you have a tank large enough for an adult before buying one.
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- Minimum tank size: I’d consider 55 gallons the minimum for a single adult Chinese Algae Eater, provided the aquarium has enough swimming room.
- Recommended tank size: I’d go with a 75 gallons or larger for a fully grown Chinese Algae Eater.
Substrate
Because Chinese Algae Eaters spend a lot of time near the bottom, I’d use sand or or very smooth gravel rather than sharp, rough substrate.
Strong Water Movement
In the wild, Chinese Algae Eaters live in rivers and streams with moving, oxygen-rich water. You can provide similar conditions in your aquarium.
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- Use powerheads with the air tubes atached to increase the water circulation and oxygenation.
Excellent Filtration
Chinese Algae Eaters can produce quite a bit of waste, especially as they grow larger, so you’ll need a good aquarium filter.
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- Choose a filter that moves water through its filter media so debris can be trapped and beneficial bacteria have plenty of surface area to grow.
- A canister filter works well for larger aquariums. You can also add a hang-on-back filter if you want additional filtration and water movement.
Recommended Water Conditions
Chinese Algae Eaters can live in a range of water conditions, but I’d aim for the following:
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- pH: 6.5 to 7.5
- Temperature: 74–80°F (23–27°C).
- Ammonia and nitrite: Both should remain at 0 ppm in an established aquarium.
From the video above:
“The first thing you should know about the Chinese algae eater is that it’s not found in China. This algae eater is actually from Thailand where it inhabits fast moving streams. Because of this it has developed an interesting anatomy.
Since the waters it comes from move so fast this algae eater developed the ability to lock itself into place against surfaces using its mouth. It can eat and breathe when attached to surfaces and its body will move about with the current…”
What To Feed Young CAEs
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- Cooked squash, such as yellow squash or green zucchini.
- Peas, and lima beans, fresh or frozen.
- Cooked broccoli, brussels sprouts, and collard greens will work.
- Cucumber (cooked or fresh)
- Algae tablets and wafers formulated for herbivore fish
- Vegetable based tablets or wafers
- Flake fish food
- Frozen fish foods (Note: I recommend avoiding bloodworms because they they have killed my aquarium fish in the past. I’ve experienced a direct correlation between feeding bloodworms and fish death.
- Homemade fish food
Make sure to remove any food that remains uneaten.
Here is an idea that I’ve used a lot for other fish. You can also try feeding your CAEs flake food rolled into a ball. To do this, place a decent amount of flake food in your palm, add a few drops of water, and then work the food into a ball. Then drop the food ball into the tank, where it will sink to the bottom for your Chinese Algae Eater to find.
* You can find fish food recipes here.
* Or use Gemini A.I. to create one just for you. Tap this link.
* How do you grow the best live fish food for your aquarium fish? 8 easy types
My pick for Best On Amazon for "Algae Eater Food":
API Sinking Algae Eater Food
Tap this box to view current price.
What You Should Feed An Adult Chinese Algae Eater
In the wild, adult Chinese Algae Eaters eat algae, biofilm, small aquatic animals, insect larvae, and other food they find on underwater surfaces.
A few things to try. You need to experiment to find out what they like:
* Protein-based fish food tablets and wafers.
* Protein-based flake fish food, moistened and rolled into a ball so it sinks.
* Frozen fish food from your local fish store, such as brine shrimp. I personally avoid bloodworms.
I was just at the pet store a few hours ago. The selection of frozen fish foods is amazing.
* You can try vegetables. The adult algae eater might eat them.
* Homemade fish food.
Even though adult Chinese Algae Eaters may eat more protein-rich foods, I’d still offer some algae wafers or vegetables as part of their diet.
How to Help Your Chinese Algae Eater Grow to Its Full Size
Provide A Good Variety of Fish Foods:
Feeding your Chinese Algae Eater a wide variety of foods is one way to help it grow to its full size.
As I mentioned earlier, start your young CAE with plenty of algae and other plant-based foods. As it gets older, gradually introduce more protein-rich foods..
Make Sure Your Aquarium Is Big Enough:
Personally, for a fish that can get as large as an adult Chinese Algae Eater, I’m gonna recommend a tank that’s at least 75 gallons.
Provide The Best Water Quality You Can:
I clean my 75 gallon tank by doing a 20% weekly water change.
* Chinese Algae Eater Video – I have the same feelings about CAE as the person who created the video.
* Video: Choose Wisely! Bristlenose Pleco vs Chinese Algae Eater
* Video: Why I Don’t Keep The 2 BEST Algae Eaters In My Aquariums…
Suggested Chinese Algae Eater food:
Omnivores: Plant foods such as blanched zucchini, blanched spinach, peas and lettuce leaves should form the basis of their diet. Brine shrimp, tubifex, mosquito larvae, corethra and daphnia are acceptable foods, both live and frozen. Granules, tablets, and other dry foods intended for bottom species must be sunk because these fish feed near the bottom.
They are prone to obesity if fed only frozen, live food.
InfoProekt24.com – Gyrinocheilus aymonieri – Author
Ivan Kononov
Tankmates
Chinese algae eaters (CAEs) can be territorial and aggressive, especially toward their own kind or similarly shaped species. Some adults will attach themselves to other fish and chew on their protective slime coating, sometimes causing injuries and even death if the injury is bad enough.
Compatible tankmates might include:
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Similarly sized cichlids: Some robust cichlids may coexist with CAEs, but aggressive cichlids can create additional problems.
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Fast-moving fish: Often a better possibility, particularly fish that spend most of their time in the middle or upper levels of the aquarium.
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Larger species that can hold their own: Size alone doesn’t guarantee safety. Large, slow-moving fish can still be targets.
Fish to Avoid Keeping with Your Chinese Algae Eater
Some fish are especially poor choices because they move slowly and may have trouble getting away from an aggressive Chinese Algae Eater.
Fish to avoid:
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- Discus
- Angelfish
Other bottom dwelling fish like:
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- Other Chinese Algae Eaters
- Siamese Algae Eaters
- Flying Fox Algae Eaters
- Red-tailed Sharks
Personally, I’d rather keep an adult Chinese Algae Eater by itself than risk having it injure other fish.
From Reddit: r/Aquariums
Chinese algae eaters, are they really that bad?
Dedlikemoi:
“I’ve had two, 1 on purpose and 1 came with a used tank.
The one that came with the tank was adult and would chase my corys around relentlessly. When it was time for food, he’d try his best to not let any bottom feeder eat anything. Never saw him eat algae. Lol. Pet store took him thankfully.
The one I bought was great until adulthood but then killed an angel by eating her slime coat (this was many years ago before I knew better…)
So yea, for me, not good experiences with them in a community tank.”
PakkyT:
“Chinese algae eaters have a bad reputation primary because people are unsuspectingly sold them as little peaceful algae eating fish. It isn’t their fault they are marketed this way.
Yes these fish get more aggressive as they get older and often will go after larger slow moving fish that cannot avoid them. They can get fairly large as well so won’t do well in, say, a ten gallon long term.”
Breeding
As the character says in the movie, “Princess Bride”, “Impossible”
Your pet store sells Chinese algae eaters bred in large ponds under excellent (for the fish) conditions. Growers may use hormones in the ponds to stimulate Chinese algae eaters to breed.
It is extremely unlikely that you will be able to breed CAEs in your aquarium.
FAQ’s – Chinese Algae Eater Questions
1. Do CAE’s eat snails?
Adults will eat snails when given a chance.
2. Should I buy a Chinese Algae Eater or a Siamese Algae Eater?
I would recommend the Siamese Algae Eater because it smaller as adults (about 6 inches) and they are less aggressive than CAE’s. (Source: Wikipedia)
3. Is it better to buy a Golden Chinese Algae Eater or a regular colored Chinese Algae Eater?
The only difference is color, so that is up to you and what is available.
4. Are Chinese Algae Eaters For You?
Pros:
* Easy to care for
* Large fish are always impressive
* Always available in fish stores and online
Cons:
* As adults they are aggressive
* They chew on other fish
* They could outgrow your aquarium
* Your fish store may not take them if you no longer want them
Citations / Sources – In addition to my personal experience additional information was provided by:
https://www.aquaticcommunity.com/mix/chinesealgaeeater.php
InfoProekt24.com – Gyrinocheilus aymonieri – Author
Ivan Kononov
YouTube – Chinese Algae Eaters
500 Freshwater Aquarium Fish: A Visual Reference to the Most Popular Species
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