Chinese Algae Eater
(Gyrinocheilos aymonieri)
Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Chinese Algae Eater
(Gyrinocheilos aymonieri)
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Quick Stats
Care Level
Easy
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Color Form
Tan, Yellow
Diet
Herbivore
Water Conditions
74-79° F, KH 8-10, pH 6.8-7.4
Max. Size
10"
Family
Gyrinocheilidae
Minimum Tank Size
30 gallons
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here for more information
Care Level
Easy
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Color Form
Tan, Yellow
Diet
Herbivore
Water Conditions
74-79° F, KH 8-10, pH 6.8-7.4
Max. Size
10"
Family
Gyrinocheilidae
Minimum Tank Size
30 gallons
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here for more information
Overview
The Chinese Algae Eater comes from Asia and has a slender body and is golden to brown in color. A darker stripe runs horizontally and is either solid or broken into spots. It is usually kept in aquariums for the purpose of keeping algae under control.
A minimum of a 30-gallon aquarium is recommended with plenty of plants, rocks, and driftwood for hiding. It can handle different water conditions but water quality should remain constant to avoid stress. In smaller community tanks the Chinese Algae Eater will defend its territory. This species of algae eater can become aggressive when they become full grown.
Breeding has not been seen or been successful in an aquarium setting. There is little known about sexing the male and female.
The main source of food is algae on plants, rocks, glass, and driftwood. Algae based wafers should be provided if there is a lack of algae.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1/2" to 1-1/2"; Medium: 1-1/2" to 2-1/2"; Large: 2-1/2" to 4"
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Customer Testimonials
Valerie P
Houston , TX
I have a "Golden" member of this species - it has done a great job of keeping algae in check, and it has taken on the task of moving gravel out of the corners of the tank - a strange noise on a quiet night! I haven't seen aggression in the 6+ months it has been in my tank - but I have a lot of Java fern for it to hide in and only two swordtails for it to "deal" with.
Lucy M
Granite Falls , WA
I've had my Algae Eater for 6 months and since then have not had to clean any algae from my aquarium walls. He can be very protective of his space, but my Guppies don't mind.
John D
Sonora , CA
I bought two of these fish to keep my algae under control. They did a fabulous job! Only thing was they got so big so quick I actually just needed one. Now I am feeding him algae wafers to ensure he is fed enough. A great alternative to the plecostomus - this fish will remain smaller.
Connor R
Kenner , LA
I have two Chinese Algae Eaters, and they're great! I have had one of them for about 6 months, and the other for about a month (my cousin gave it to me). They do just fine together, and they do a great job of cleaning up the algae. I also feed them algae wafers. Neither of them are too big. I haven't seen any aggression from either of them thus far. These fish are great, I highly recommend them.
Jorge F
Oxnard , CA
These fish are good algae eaters and bottom feeders and grow pretty big quite quickly. I recommend feeding them algae pellets. I've had 2 pairs of algae eaters. They grew 9 in and I had them for 4 years. I sold them to a friend because they got too big. They are a good fish to keep down algae
1-5 of 5 testimonials
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