siamese algae eaters

[jluna]

does anyone keep sae's with their discus? i'm thinking of getting a school for my tank to munch on some of the algae - any pointers?
thanks,

justin

[flukes]

not a school, 2 max..
Also they dont eat all types of algea better look it up

[kevkoi]

why a max of 2 only?

They're a cool schooling fish. Not as nasty as the other flying fox species.

Just make sure you get the REAL siamese algae eater. These are peaceful little fellas. Great on the hair algae.

[Annie]

Nope, no CAE's. but I do have ottos and they are perfect for like brown algae. And they stay tiny and do a great job. I have 5 in my 55 gal Discus tank. they say 1 for every 10 gallon, and it works for me.

[kevkoi]

Ouch... please don't confuse the "CAE" (Chinese algae eater; Gyrinocheilus aymonieri ) and "SAE" (Siamese algae eater; Crossocheilus siamensis ).

One of them is the good guy, and the other is just down right EVIL !....... on and then there is the SAE "imposter".

OK, I'll show some pics.
Chinese Algae Eater... BAD GUYS!! .. give your fish no peace and miserable life.
http://www2.biology.ualberta.ca/jack...ymonieri_2.jpg

Siamese Algae Eater.... GREAT GUYS!! won't see any black stringy algae in your tank. Get them small. Hard workers when small.
http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/img/sae2.jpg

False Siamese algae eater ... Lazy IMPOSTERS!... eats your fish food, does no work!
http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/false-sae.jpg

[flukes]

heehhe thoughs CAE look evil..

[Chris McMahon]

Good Info

[pyro]

I have recently placed two SAEs in my discus tank in an attempt to rid my tank of black beard algae.
When i Placed them in the tank I removed my pleco for use in another tank. The tank never had any algae apart from the black beard algae until now. Algae is growing everywhere. What I am saying is you need to have fish that will eat the algae you are trying to get rid of. And I personally find the pleco will maintain the tank alot better than SAEs for most types of algae

[kevkoi]

Problem with plecos is that they get BIG and trample all over your delicate plants, plus they will also gnaw thru soft leaf plants (especially new leaves... even on Anubias!).

If it's a bare tank, there shouldn't be a worry, except when they get BIG. Plecos can get to about 2ft long in 2-3years if fed propperly.... We've got a Monster of a Gibbi at SLS who was 8cm when the shop opened. IT is now 55cm!!! They also have a lifespan of approx 20-30years apparently. Awesom fish, but may be too big for discus planted tanks or even discus tanks in the long run.

[Chris McMahon]

You might also consider Royal Whiptail Farlowella.