Anyone had a siamese algae eater?

[Suse]

Just wondering about people's experiences! I like the idea of them eating hair algae, but a lot of people say they stop as they get older. My tank is the right size and parameters for one (if they can/should be kept singly?) and I quite like it for itself, but... the hair algae thing would be useful

[PJN]

Aren't those the ones that will try and feed of fishes' mucus membranes? Amano shrimp will eat hair algae by the way

[Suse]

That's a Chinese algae eater you're thinking of, but they are easy to mix up and often mis-sold by shops apparently. I like my Amanos but I think it would take a lot to make a dent in my big tank, and they're expensive!

[Gingerlove05]

I think thats the chinese algae eater not the siamese algae eater (CAE not SAE).
I always liked this image to distinguish between the 4 easily confused species (CAE, SAE, Flying fox and and Garra Taeniata)

Edit: Suse beat me to it

[stuaz]

I think thats the chinese algae eater not the siamese algae eater (CAE not SAE).
I always liked this image to distinguish between the 4 easily confused species (CAE, SAE, Flying fox and and Garra Taeniata)

Edit: Suse beat me to it

They are often mislabelled in shops so Gingerlove picture is really good reference for them.

I have four. I keep them in pairs. They do go around together and they are active fish so if you have very timid fish they may get spooked.

I haven't ever found them aggressive and have kept them with all sorts, even shrimp and they have shown no interest. 

Good algae eaters though as they go to all levels of the tanks.

[Suse]

I think thats the chinese algae eater not the siamese algae eater (CAE not SAE).
I always liked this image to distinguish between the 4 easily confused species (CAE, SAE, Flying fox and and Garra Taeniata)

Edit: Suse beat me to it

They are often mislabelled in shops so Gingerlove picture is really good reference for them.

I have four. I keep them in pairs. They do go around together and they are active fish so if you have very timid fish they may get spooked.

I haven't ever found them aggressive and have kept them with all sorts, even shrimp and they have shown no interest. 

Good algae eaters though as they go to all levels of the tanks.

Thanks Stuaz, that's very helpful. Do they keep eating hair algae as they get older? I've got my otos to keep other algae in check, but the blasted hair algae and black brush keeps lingering... I've adjusted lights and CO2 so it's much less than before, but I really want something to just EAT the wretched stuff Plus I really like the look and activity of SAEs. My LFS definitely has true SAEs according to the picture above (thanks Iain!)

[stuaz]

I think thats the chinese algae eater not the siamese algae eater (CAE not SAE).
I always liked this image to distinguish between the 4 easily confused species (CAE, SAE, Flying fox and and Garra Taeniata)

Edit: Suse beat me to it

They are often mislabelled in shops so Gingerlove picture is really good reference for them.

I have four. I keep them in pairs. They do go around together and they are active fish so if you have very timid fish they may get spooked.

I haven't ever found them aggressive and have kept them with all sorts, even shrimp and they have shown no interest. 

Good algae eaters though as they go to all levels of the tanks.

Thanks Stuaz, that's very helpful. Do they keep eating hair algae as they get older? I've got my otos to keep other algae in check, but the blasted hair algae and black brush keeps lingering... I've adjusted lights and CO2 so it's much less than before, but I really want something to just EAT the wretched stuff Plus I really like the look and activity of SAEs. My LFS definitely has true SAEs according to the picture above (thanks Iain!)

They do eat less algae as they get older as they do get less active. They will devour BBA and hair algae (although I find shrimp better for hair algae). 

They are constantly foraging for food and they do get little round stomach when full which for some reason I find funny (I'm weird I know!).

Would you like me to post a video to show you them doing there thing?

[Suse]

[quote="stuaz" pid='20338' dateline='1550780906']

They do eat less algae as they get older as they do get less active. They will devour BBA and hair algae (although I find shrimp better for hair algae). 

They are constantly foraging for food and they do get little round stomach when full which for some reason I find funny (I'm weird I know!).

Would you like me to post a video to show you them doing there thing?
[/quote]

That would be amazing, if it's not too much trouble! I don't mind them getting less active as they get older - don't we all ha ha As long as they still eat some.

[stuaz]

Apologies for the background noise!


[video=youtube]https://youtu.be/nCOJj8aKLk8[/video]

[Suse]

Thank you so much, they are gorgeous and that's incredibly helpful. How old are they? Your tank looks pretty much BBA / hair algae free, is that right?