Siamese Algae Eater

Common name Siamese Algae Eater Picture of Siamese Algae Eater
Photo taken at Wharf Aquatics
© Sean Evans

Scientific name Crossocheilus siamensis

Synonyms Siamese flying fox

Size Up to 6" (15cm)

Origin S.E.Asia

Tank setup Planted community tank

Compatibility Suitable for the community tank, less aggressive than some of its look-alikes (see below).

Temperature 24-26^oC (75-79^oF)

Water chemistry Fairly soft, neutral/slightly acidic (pH 6.0-7.5)

Feeding Omnivorous, some vegetable component to the diet is recommended.

Sexing Unknown

Breeding No reports of aquarium breeding.

Comments This fish is a useful algae eater, eating thread algae and the 'brush' algae types ignored by other fish. They also eat planarians (flatworms) which can become a nuisance in aquaria.
They can be slightly territorial with their own species, so they are probably best kept either singly, or as a group of 5-6 or more in larger tanks.
This species is sometimes confused with a number of similar species. The Flying Fox (Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus) is superficially similar, although not difficult to distinguish. Two other Crossocheilus species are much closer in appearance: C. oblongus and C. atrilimes. The black stripe does not extend into the caudal fin in C. oblongus, but does so in C. atrilimes and C. siamensis. C. atrilimes has a row of faint black dots below the main stripe, and does not grow as large as C. siamensis.

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This website was last updated on 18th January 2008

Common name	Siamese Algae Eater	Photo taken at Wharf Aquatics © Sean Evans
Scientific name	Crossocheilus siamensis
Synonyms	Siamese flying fox
Size	Up to 6" (15cm)
Origin	S.E.Asia
Tank setup	Planted community tank
Compatibility	Suitable for the community tank, less aggressive than some of its look-alikes (see below).
Temperature	24-26^oC (75-79^oF)
Water chemistry	Fairly soft, neutral/slightly acidic (pH 6.0-7.5)
Feeding	Omnivorous, some vegetable component to the diet is recommended.
Sexing	Unknown
Breeding	No reports of aquarium breeding.
Comments	This fish is a useful algae eater, eating thread algae and the 'brush' algae types ignored by other fish. They also eat planarians (flatworms) which can become a nuisance in aquaria. They can be slightly territorial with their own species, so they are probably best kept either singly, or as a group of 5-6 or more in larger tanks. This species is sometimes confused with a number of similar species. The Flying Fox (Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus) is superficially similar, although not difficult to distinguish. Two other Crossocheilus species are much closer in appearance: C. oblongus and C. atrilimes. The black stripe does not extend into the caudal fin in C. oblongus, but does so in C. atrilimes and C. siamensis. C. atrilimes has a row of faint black dots below the main stripe, and does not grow as large as C. siamensis.