sanj
Member
Way back in 1994 a couple of guys wrote an article in The Krib on algae eating cyprinids and how to distinguish Crossocheilus siamensis, the Siamese Algae Eater from the likes of the Siamese Flying Fox and the Chinese Algae Eater. Pretty obvious you might think, but back then the SAE was not as well known as it is today. Algae Eating Cyprinids
However until perhaps the last few years it was not common knowledge in the hobby that Crossocheilus siamensis was not actually a species and referred to a few closely related species of which at least two are pretty common in the UK trade.
What is the big deal? Well they might look very similar, but they exhibit different behaviours. One species having the more desirable traits and the other less so.
Mr. Desirable; Crossocheilus langei, the Red SAE.
It grows to a good 6" and munches on BBA which few other fish if any will touch.
Mr. Somewhat Naughty; Crossocheilus atrilimes.
this fella is smaller, grows to 4" probably its only advantage over the Red SAE, appears to have a shorter snout and a better distinguished light golden line above the black one spanning the length of the fish.
Not so great is that while it generally munches on algae, its not so great with BBA. Possibly even worse is that it tends to have a penchant for moss.
On a side note there is another algae eater of the same genus that is often touted as being even better at general algae munching, although I think that might just be down to it growing to a larger size (7-8"). This fella is C.reticulatus, the Reticulated Algae Eater:
There is more information available on the net from other people. Since I have both of the commonly found "C.siamensis", i thought taking a few photos might aid others who have particular needs from their SAE's and dont want to end up with Mr. Naughty.
Personally I quite like Mr Naughty, I just do not have much moss anymore.
Other links:
Calling All Siamese Algae Eater Owners!!
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.ph ... ei&id=1324
However until perhaps the last few years it was not common knowledge in the hobby that Crossocheilus siamensis was not actually a species and referred to a few closely related species of which at least two are pretty common in the UK trade.
What is the big deal? Well they might look very similar, but they exhibit different behaviours. One species having the more desirable traits and the other less so.
Mr. Desirable; Crossocheilus langei, the Red SAE.
It grows to a good 6" and munches on BBA which few other fish if any will touch.
Mr. Somewhat Naughty; Crossocheilus atrilimes.
this fella is smaller, grows to 4" probably its only advantage over the Red SAE, appears to have a shorter snout and a better distinguished light golden line above the black one spanning the length of the fish.
Not so great is that while it generally munches on algae, its not so great with BBA. Possibly even worse is that it tends to have a penchant for moss.
On a side note there is another algae eater of the same genus that is often touted as being even better at general algae munching, although I think that might just be down to it growing to a larger size (7-8"). This fella is C.reticulatus, the Reticulated Algae Eater:
There is more information available on the net from other people. Since I have both of the commonly found "C.siamensis", i thought taking a few photos might aid others who have particular needs from their SAE's and dont want to end up with Mr. Naughty.
Personally I quite like Mr Naughty, I just do not have much moss anymore.
Other links:
Calling All Siamese Algae Eater Owners!!
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.ph ... ei&id=1324
