Siamese algae eater

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Siamese algae eater

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cypriniformes
Family:	Cyprinidae
Genus:	Crossocheilus
Species:	C. siamensis

Binomial name

Crossocheilus siamensis
(Smith, 1931)

The Siamese algae eater, Crossocheilus siamensis, is a species of freshwater fish in the carp family, Cyprinidae. This bottom-dwelling tropical fish is found in mainland Southeast Asia that includes the Chao Phraya and Mekong basins as well as the Malay Peninsula. Their natural habitats are streams and rivers as well as flooded forests during the rainy season.

The Siamese algae eater has a bright brownish elongate body with a slighly flat belly. It has a prominent black horizontal stripe extending for nose to tail. This fish may grow up to the length of 16 centimeters. They prefer water temperature range of 24–26°C, a pH range of 6.5-8.0, and a water hardness of 5-20 dH.

[edit] Aquarium care

This hardy fish is commonly found in the aquarium trade and is one of the most popular and effective tank algae cleaners. They are active and fast swimmers that will school together if kept in a group, but some individuals may display aggression to their own kind or related fishes. In general, the Siamese algae eater can be kept in most community tanks and are reportedly much less aggressive than similar fishes such as the Chinese algae eater or the red-tailed black shark.

Because the Siamese algae eaters are effective at controlling the tank algae, many aquarists like to place them in heavily-planted tanks with strong lightings that promote the growth of algae. Unlike other aquarium algae eater fishes, the Siamese algae eater is valued for their ability to eat red algae. The fish, however, are opportunistic feeders and will eat pellets and most other food, a tendency that strengthens with age.

The fish is a good jumper. The lid of the tank should be properly closed leaving no large hole for the fish to jump out of the tank.