Do Siamese Algae Eaters Eat Black Beard Algae?

Many hobbyists who have problems with this pest are searching the internet for effective methods to control or eliminate black beard algae. Most articles found on the internet recommended keeping the Siamese Algae Eater (SAE) to deal with this algae. Of course, based on our experience, we also suggested using these fish.

These fish belong to the Cyprinidae family, which is an endemic fish family that lives in certain Southeast Asian regions. Nowadays, you can find them at local aquarium stores..

Siamese algae eaters are used in aquarium husbandry as a natural weapon to control unwanted algae. Compared to other algae cleaners, these fish are more effective in consuming most types of green and red algae, which are known to cause severe outbreaks in the planted tank.

Overview: Siamese Algae Eaters

Most fish keepers assume Crossocheilus oblongus is a scientific name for the Siamese algae eater fish, but it is not entirely accurate.

The siamese algae eaters often sold in trades refer to a few freshwater algae-eating fish under the Crossocheilus genus.

These genera comprise several species with similar appearances and characteristics, which can be confusing for individuals attempting to differentiate them. So it’s not surprising that many fish hobbyists frequently misapply their names.

There are some species that are closely related and often sold under ‘Siamese Algae Eater, a.k.a Crossocheilus siamensis’, such as Crossocheilus oblongus, Crossocheilus langei, Crossocheilus reticulatus, Crossocheilus atrilime, Crossocheilus nigriloba, and Crossocheilus citripinnis. Essentially, they require the same care and graze on most types of algae found in nature.

Siamese algae eaters, also known as SAE fish, are active aquarium inhabitants. They can cover the tank entirely in a matter of seconds. These fish can discover algae clumps faster than other powerful algae cleaners, which move slowly like zebra nerite snails.

These algae clean-up crews make SAE fish easy to keep and suitable for beginners. You can find them in most local aquarium stores due to their popularity and lower prices. Each fish usually costs about $3-$5.

Origin And Natural Habitat Of Siamese Algae Eaters

Most Siamese algae eaters are native to the Southeast Asian region. In the wild, they are typically found inhabiting stream rivers and tributaries with solid substrates, such as gravel, pebbles, boulders, and sand.

The water in these areas is commonly clear, where sunlight can penetrate the surface, and the depth of the department is often shallow.

These fish frequently occupy a dwelling place with many submerged driftwood and tree roots, where aquatic plants and biofilm thrive well, covering the surface upon which they browse. Some were found colonized at the reaches of rivers; the water is typically turbid with a muddy substrate.

Water in their habitat tends to be slightly acidic, and the current is not too fast. In nature, they spend most of their time foraging for food, sheltering in their burrows, and primarily searching for algae. However, they also accept other things that sink to the bottom of streams.

Siamese algae eaters are not great exploratory fish. They tend to stay around refuges with which they are acquainted and infrequently browse the water surface.

Appearance Of Siamese Algae Eaters

These freshwater fish algae cleaners can be identified by their bold dark stripes that run from the snout to the tip of the caudal fin. Their base color is predominantly greyish to silvery, allowing them to camouflage with the stones. Some species exhibit different color combinations, such as tan, tawny yellow, or reddish brown.

You may find that their black stripes start to fade. This usually occurs when they feel stressed during the mating process, as a means of camouflaging with their surroundings to avoid predators (this is rare in aquarium environments).

They have slender and long aerodynamic bodies, a typical feature of small sharks. It is designed to help these fish swim in areas with strong flowing water.

All species named siamese algae eaters have two small barbels that develop on the upper lip. This helps these fish detect the smallest prey that is present on the substrate, also allowing them to sense changes in water pressure and chemical levels.

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Tropical SAE fish have a sucker mouth that allows them to munch algae optimally; their snout is pointed. They have six transparent and colorless fins over their body. There are two pectoral fins under their gills, then a pelvic fin on the abdomen. After that, their anal fin sits under their genital organ and is followed by a forked or V-shaped tail fin at the caudal peduncle, as well as a triangular dorsal fin on their back.

How big do Siamese algae eaters get? Most SAE species grow to a maximum of about 5-6 inches (14-15 centimeters). However, they typically sold in ranges between 2 to 2.5 inches on the trades.

It’s too difficult to tell the distinction between males and females before they reach around 3-4 years old. Once they achieve this age, the only thing that becomes a sign to identify their sexuality is their size. Females are slightly larger than males, generally about 30% bigger in mass.

Dissimilar to most freshwater-planted aquarium fish, Siamese algae eaters do not have a swim bladder. Therefore, they should be moved constantly to stay afloat in the water, and their body shape is designed to facilitate this condition.

How long do Siamese algae eaters live? In captivity, they can live up to 10 years in good condition and with proper care. The wild species probably find it difficult to achieve this age due to changes in their environment and the presence of predators.

Siamese Algae Eaters’ Behaviour And Temperaments

Are Siamese algae eaters aggressive fish? Actually, they are peaceful livestock. Nonetheless, under certain conditions, they may exhibit slight aggression, especially when kept in a small group of around 2-3 individuals. It is possible that aggression occurs between individuals in the aquarium due to territorial disputes. Although they tend to be in conflict with each other in smaller groups, these fish will shoal peacefully in larger numbers. At least you must keep 4-5 individuals. Sometimes, you will see them eating together in the same place.

They are faster swimmers and energetic. SAE fish probably do not strike other species, but their movement behavior might disturb and annoy any quieter species, such as discus.

These freshwater algae-cleaning fish tend to spend most of their time swimming around at the bottom level of the aquarium, searching for algae spots. Once they find one, they likely sit there for a while until the snack is gone.

Occasionally, SAE fish climb the wall glass by sticking their mouth sucker while grazing the algae that develop there. This is how these Asian tropical aquarium fish reach the middle and upper zones of the tank.

When they sleep, Siamese algae eaters usually prop up their bodies on leaves or other objects, then let their tails swing back and forth, even while part of their upper body remains still. So, if they stop moving at all, these sucker fish will fall to the tank floor.

Types Of Siamese Algae Eaters

How many Siamese algae eaters are species that are usually available in the aquarium trade? There are several different SAE fish species that are pretty difficult to distinguish.

Crossocheilus Langei

C. Langei, also known as ‘Red Algae Eater.’ These Siamese algae-eater species have a single dark, laterally striped area in the middle of their body that runs from the head to the tail, with a reddish-brown and a light-colored underside. Their body size is large, with a cigar-like shape and some spots on the belly.

They have a pair of reddish-golden eyes above the pupil and white below. Crossocheilus langei’s barbels are longer than those of other varieties, and they are brownish.

C. langei are native to peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Southern Myanmar, and western and southern Thailand. The first specimen is found in Palembang, Sumatra Island, Indonesia.
These SAE fish varieties inhabit clear water, while they might be found in turbid, deeper water during seasonal migrations.

C. langei are known as the most efficient Siamese algae eater fish for consuming algae. They can clean stubborn forms such as black beard algae (BBA) and staghorn. Some reports said that they only do well with younger ones, which have a gentler texture and should be introduced before the problem arises.

Crossocheilus Atrilimes

This type is slightly easier to diagnose. It is one of the smaller Siamese algae eaters, with an adult size of only between 7 – 7.5 centimeters. The young Crossocheilus Atrilimes has a spindle-shaped body.

Their dark band is extended, reaching the posterior tip of median tail fin rays. C. Atrilimes come with tan or yellow body color and yellowish fins. Crossocheilus Atrilimes originate from Cambodia and Thailand; they can usually be found throughout the Chao Phraya and Mekong drainages.

Crossocheilus Oblongus

Most aquarium dealers commonly label the Siamese algae eater, Crossocheilus Oblongus; however, we don’t know if it’s valid or not. According to an article from seriouslyfish.com, C. Oblongus is described as an SAE fish variety with a blueish color body and yellow fins, and inhabited the water systems throughout the Sunda Islands and Indochina. The appearance and size of the adult form of this species are between C. Langei and C. artilimes.

Crossocheilus Citripinnis

This is a larger Siamese algae eater species; they can grow up to 15 cm standard length. It has a couple of maxillary barbels that are clearly visible.

Their fins are lemon yellow, which may become stronger when they mature. The dark band does not change in width or color when they are fighting, and the lateral line shape curves. C. citripinnis’ body form is like C. Atrilimes’; it means we will be slightly confused about identifying when both are in the juvenile phase.

Crossocheilus Reticulatus

C. reticulatus is the most different species from others. They are easy to recognize from their striking appearance, where they do not have a lateral black line across the body. Instead, they have a blotch at the caudal peduncle.

Their appearance is fantastic, featuring a combination of brown, yellow, and silvery body colors with a dark tint at the edge of the scales.

In the aquarium world, they are commonly referred to as reticulated algae eater or fishnet flying fox due to their color, which mimics a net-like pattern. Crossocheilus reticulatus is a larger member of its genus, and the adult fish reach lengths of up to 16-17 centimeters.

In nature, they can be collected throughout the Mekong basin and Chao Phraya River drainage, as well as in Yunnan Province, China, and are also found in other Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Crossocheilus Nigriloba

At a glance, they look like C. Oblongus, which has a blueish color. However, their black lateral stripe breaks down into a series of blotches when they are sparring, sleeping, or stressed. As an additional sign, this species has dark pigmentation suffused with red color at the lower part of the caudal fin lobe. From this mark, Crossocheilus nigriloba has its own common name, ‘penguin flying fox,’ in the fish trade.

C. nigriloba is an endemic tropical fish species from Kalimantan, part of the Indonesian island. They usually settle in the Kapuas basin and Sentarum Lake in Kalimantan Barat. These fish also occur in the Mahakam and Belayan river systems in Kalimantan Timur. Penguin flying fox fish can probably be found in Kalimantan Selatan and Kalimantan Tengah provinces. But, there is still no detailed data until now.

Crossocheilus Siamensis

This variety is the true Siamese algae-eater fish. Unfortunately, it’s very hard to find them on the trade. C. Siamensis has a thicker dark band and silvery body color. Their snout is sharply pointed, and their lip is V-shaped.

Siamese Algae Eaters Diet And Feeding

As their name suggests, algae are primarily their diet. In nature, they also accept plant matter, small insects, phytoplankton, microorganisms, and any other organic matter they encounter.

SAE fish are not picky eaters, so providing food for them in aquarium environments will be easier. They will accept some dried food varieties that you can purchase at fish shops, such as algae wafers, flakes, pellets, and live or frozen meals. Some vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, cucumbers, and carrots, would also be bitten by them.

Do Siamese algae eaters eat the tougher algae, like black beard algae?

Of course, they feed on it. The younger Siamese algae-eater fish consume more black brush algae than the adults. The older SAE fish can still perform their job of cleaning aquariums as long as they are not overfed.

They also excel at eliminating other stubborn types of red algae, such as brown and staghorn. Green hair algae are their favorite snacks; other forms of green algae, like GSA and GDA, are also consumed by them. They prefer a gentle texture, such as that of young and dying algae.

Live, or meaty, food would be better if given once or twice a week. Feeding it too much can trigger severe problems like digestive issues. If they find pesky bugs or worms, such as gammarus, planaria, hydra, and detritus worms, in the aquarium, Siamese algae eaters will devour them before they can disrupt the balance.

Overfeeding is a detrimental practice; it can have a profoundly negative impact on the ecosystem and its health. The leftover food can accumulate on the substrate, leading to various problems, including algae, fungus, bacteria, and pests. It also reduces their feeding habit when they already eat some algae sticking on aquatic plants; after that, you give too much additional food. Sometimes, SAE fish would stop consuming algae in favor of other foods.

Setting Up an Aquarium For Siamese Algae Eaters Fish

A single Siamese algae eater fish requires a minimum tank size of about 20 gallons of water. If you want to increase your livestock, add 10 gallons of water for each additional member. So, if you have a 30-gallon aquarium in your home, it can accommodate two fish; if it is a 50-gallon aquarium, you may put four large SAE.

Avoid using rough gravel; it could scar their body and hurt their sensitive barbels. As bottom-dwellingfish, they often swim around the tank floor. Utilizing a soft, sandy substrate like AquaNatural’s Sand is safer for them. You can combine it with fine, light-colored pebbles, making your tank more accurately replicate their natural habitat.

Planting some aquatic plants is necessary. They are one of the perfect media for algae establishment. Aquarium plants also play an essential role in absorbing carbon dioxide from the water, converting it into dissolved oxygen for the fish. Besides, if you arrange them well, your tank will present an incredible view, making people who look like they enjoy sitting in front of it for a long time.

Large-leaved aquatic plants are excellent for algae such as Microsorum, Cryptocoryne, and anubias species. Covering the surface with some floating vegetation like salvinia natans or Azolla cristata. This can prevent the SAE fish from jumping out of the tank and create shady areas inside the aquarium.

Indeed, they do not require any specific water flow rates, as Siamese algae eaters are naturally river-dwelling inhabitants. However, creating a similar artificial environment in the aquarium would make them live more passionately. Installing a canister filter and setting the water current to a slow-to-moderate level helps replicate the riverbed condition. The filtration system aims to control the water quality by cycling the organic and non-organic waste.

There is no special requirement for lighting intensity. They can thrive under various levels. Instead, adjust it as your plants need, taking into account the lighting rate and period that affect their growth.

Maintain a water temperature of around 75-80°F (23-26°C). Using a heater is optional, but slightly warmer water is recommended. To monitor the water temperature, you should use an aquarium thermometer. Ideally, the PH level ranges between 6.5 to 7.0. However, they can still tolerate a slightly broader span of about 6.0-8.0 if required. The water hardness level should be between 5-20 dH.

Adding some hardscape elements, such as rocks, driftwood, and roots, is recommended. This will recreate their natural habitat, provide more hiding places and algae development media. This also encourage their health due to tannins released from submerged wood parts.

They would appreciate other decorations such as artificial plants, caves, leaf litter, and other aquarium ornamentals. Remember, they are an active fish species that need open areas for swimming. An arrangement of easy-accessible hiding spots in the aquarium will make them more comfortable.

Cover your fish tank with a tight-fitting canopy to prevent them from jumping out, as SAE fish are active swimmers.

How To Keep And Take Care of Siamese Algae Eaters

The primary points to keep them healthy are water quality and water cleanliness. Water changing about 30% of the tank volume on a regular basis, every two weeks, is suggested to reduce the buildup of pollutants.

Sucking up the organic and non-organic waste on the tank floor using gravel cleaners. Scrub the hardscape, decorations, and aquarium equipment. Since you are keeping Siamese algae eaters, you can leave your tank a bit dirty to encourage the algae to grow there.

Be careful when adding new plants, live stocks, and decorations from another aquarium. It may contain toxins, and the water from there may also contain diseases. Sometimes, it also carries hitchhikers, such as ramshorn snails, which have high reproduction rates and can overpopulate your tank, triggering an unstable ecosystem.

Avoid overcrowding your planted tank with too many plants and decorations. This will hinder the movement of these fish.

Ensure you do not overpopulate your aquascape tank with too many SAE fish. Even if they are an excellent algae remover species, remember that any fish variety, including them, generates feces that can make your tank dirty.

Can You Breed Siamese Algae Eaters In Home Aquarium?

It’s almost impossible to reproduce these fish in home aquaria with the standard setting, even though their spawning ways are similar to other freshwater fish species.

Perhaps it is challenging to distinguish the species apart because they are difficult to breed by fish hobbyists, even for expert aquarists. The different species of Siamese algae eaters generally cannot interbreed, even if they mate naturally. This rarely happens and can occur through artificial spawning. Still, the gender characteristics will be visible until the fish is at least three years old.

Furthermore, information about breeding habits and conditions is still not well known, so it is very challenging to duplicate it in the aquarium environment. We discovered that Siamese algae eater will migrate to the driest parts of rivers to spawn and lay their eggs there, concurring with the dry season. Once again, this is almost impossible to replicate in the home breeding tank or even in captivity.

Until this article was written, there were still no reports from aquarists or hobbyists of successfully breeding them in home aquaria. Although these fish are egg scatterers, their pregnancy period, nest size, and care requirements for larvae and SAE babies are still unrecognized.

While the commercial Siamese fish typically offered on the market is produced through artificial insemination, hormone injection, and pheromones, the required tools for this process are not cheap and are difficult to obtain.

Siamese Algae Eater Tankmates

Remember, they are bottom-dwellers. You need to reconsider what kind of species will live there. Some similar fish might be territorial and launch aggression at them when they come across them. Freshwater red-tail sharks are an example; the adult ones often bully other fish in order to guard their territory. However, Roseline and Apollo sharks are exceptional due to their peaceful characteristics.

Do not add larger and more aggressive fish because they can strike or even eat your SAE fish. Commonly, the tropical fish varieties that live in other zones in the tank won’t have any territorial conflict.

Chinese algae eaters, siamese flying fox, plecos species, and pictus cats should not be kept together with them. Your fish may be outcompeted, and sometimes they might attack them.

Below are good candidates for their tankmates

• Corydoras catfish species
• Kuhli loaches
• Danios species
• Tetra species
• Mollies
• Guppies
• Platies
• Tetras species
• Angelfish
• Paradise gourami
• Barbs
• Licorice gourami
• Three spots gourami
• Pearl gourami
• Sparkling gourami
• Pea puffers
• Honey gourami
• Dwarf gourami

Their tankmates should not only be fish but also other aquarium creatures such as giant crustaceans (Amano and bamboo shrimps) and aquatic mollusks like nerite, ramshorn, inca, rabbit, and apple snails, also suitable for siamese algae eaters.

Common Problems And Possible Diseases

In general, they are not prone to a specific species of disease; however, they can still be affected by common fish illnesses, such as ich, fungus, pop eyes, and others.

Most fish diseases have effective medicines and treatment methods.  These work more appropriately when combined with quarantine tanks. Nonetheless, several ways to prevent your fish from getting ill were practiced by some caring guides above.

It would be best if you were selective in choosing additional food types; the cheaper ones can sometimes cause constipation in your Siamese fish and frequently lead to further complications.

Flying Fox Fish VS Siamese Algae Eaters

The flying fox fish’s body color is predominantly yellow, with two black bands that run from the snout to the tail, which is smooth, while SAE fins are darker.

Grow up to six inches with body shapes that are flatter and thinner, rather than the Siamese Algae Eater fish. Their barbels are more prominent, with tiny fleshy flaps on both sides of their mouth. They avoid red algae but enjoy grazing on green algae and accept other food types, such as tablets, flakes, and others.

The Siamese algae eater’s body color is lighter than that of flying foxes, with the black stripe being somewhat broken up, having jagged edges, and their fins are colorless. Grow optimally up to 6 inches with a pointed body shape, the thickest part in the middle near their dorsal fins.

Their barbels are too small, almost invisible, and lack flaps. They are excellent for removing red algae.

Common Questions About Siamese Algae Eaters

Do Siamese algae eaters eat plants?

In nature, they usually consume plant matter. Crossocheilus atrilime tends to prefer fine-leaved plants such as Vesicularia, but most SAE species often prefer algae.

Do Siamese algae eaters eat snails, shrimps, or even fish?

They also accept proteins as part of their needs. They commonly hunt smaller creatures, such as tiny insects, shrimp larvae, fish fry, and snail babies, in their habitat. Therefore, we suggested not keeping them together with smaller crustaceans, such as red cherry shrimps or tiny nerite snails.

Can Siamese algae eaters live with goldfish?

For several reasons, it is not advisable to put both fish in the same tank. Goldfish release slime coats across their body. Sometimes, these algae eaters can be annoyed by slurping it. If this leaves for some while, your goldfish may be susceptible to illness. Furthermore, competition between them will occur to dominate the algae that grow in their tank. Remember, it is also part of the goldfish’s diet.

Can Siamese algae eaters live with bettas?

Of course, they can live together. Although the betta fish is an aggressive and territorial species, it can be a nice tankmate. Betta fish often spend the whole day floating at the top of the aquarium, while the Siamese algae eaters inhabit the lower areas; as a result, conflict rarely happens.