What Kind of Algae Eater Am I?

[missmeliss]

OK.... So I went to a certain box pet store to get some mollies for my 45 gallon tank. While I was in there, I noticed they had Otos on sale, and decided to get one to help with the constant algae issues this tank seems to have. Well, of course, I got the new girl who couldn't tell an oscar from a guppy, and I ended up with something that is definitely NOT an Oto... When it was smaller, I kind of thought it could be, but now that it has grown about .5" - I can tell it is not one... I can't decide if it is a Siamese Algae Eater, or a Chinese Algae Eater. It sort of looks more like a CAE which scares me, but I've Googled some pictures and it doesn't look exactly like one... I'm torn, so I am turning to you guys for some help haha. He moves rather quickly, so sorry for the crappy phone picture, but it's the best I could get of him.

 

[tanker]

Looks like a Gyrinocheilus aymonieri (Chinese algae-eater) to me.

 

[Entold]

http://www.petco.com/product/101080/Chinese-Algae-Eater.aspx

I second the CAE.

 

[BruinsBro1997]

Definitely a Chinese Algae Eater, if it eats any algae at all (usually doesn't in most cases).


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[excuzzzeme]

I agree with the other posts - CAE. Some get to 6" and can become aggressive.

 

[Big Mike]

Definitely a Chinese Algae Eater, if it eats any algae at all (usually doesn't in most cases).


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I agree it is a CAE. I have a few of them and they all do a great job of eating algae. I also had a couple that did become aggressive.

 

[BruinsBro1997]

I agree it is a CAE. I have a few of them and they all do a great job of eating algae. I also had a couple that did become aggressive.

I've always heard they never ate algae, but I've never kept them so its hard for me to say that as there are always exceptions.


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[mgarrido]

CAE


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[rufioman]

Sometimes they'll do wafers and such, but other than that they just bully around everything else in a tank.

 

[Big Mike]

Sometimes they'll do wafers and such, but other than that they just bully around everything else in a tank.

IME I would have to disagree. I have had a few in my short fish keeping days and would have to give them an overall positive mark. Yes some are aggressive, but all are very good algae eaters. I have lost a couple and after they were gone the algae came.