Siamese Algae Eater (SAE)

Crossocheilus siamensis

The Siamese Algae Eater (often abbreviated as SAE) is the true 'holy grail' of planted aquariums. Unlike most cleaner fish that ignore the most stubborn algae or only eat them when young, the SAE is famous worldwide for being the only commonly available species capable of devouring the dreaded 'Black Beard Algae' (BBA). Tireless, gregarious, and peaceful, it is a fast-swimming cyprinid that never stops for a second, constantly combing leaves and driftwood.

Family: Cyprinidae
Origin: Sud-est asiatico (Thailandia, Malesia, bacino del Mekong)
Origin: Tropical oceans and reefsExtra-Amazon South AmericaSouth and Southeast Asia
Tank use: Used in 0 tanks

Species challenges

Temperature

24 °C - 28 °C

6 - 7.5

Water type

Freshwater

Tank level

Bottom and middle

Adult size

15 cm

Description

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Southeast Asia, Chao Phraya and Mekong basins in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia. Lives in watercourses, streams and rivers with strong currents, tree-lined banks and rocky pebbles.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Siamese Algae Eater (Crossocheilus siamensis / oblongus). Very often confused with Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus (Flying Fox). The difference? The "true" SAE has a zigzag-edged black band that extends TO and THROUGH the caudal fin.

Social Behavior: Calm and frantic. Gregarious (groups of 3 to 5), it spends the entire day sifting the solid surfaces of the tank looking for algae and biofilm. May occasionally quarrel for grazing areas, but without damage.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Black longitudinal band with slightly jagged edges that crosses the silver/brownish flank and cuts the rear fin in two. Inconspicuous scales and only one pair of microscopic barbels.

Care and observations

Aquarium Setup: Large aquariums (100-120 cm / 40-48 inches). Needs free space for fast sprints. They love roots covered by Anubias or Mosses to scrape and an excellent water flow generated by the filter for oxygenation.

Diet and Feeding: Exceptional algivore: devours black beard algae (BBA) and red tuft algae, especially when young. If spoiled with protein flakes for carnivorous fish or too much dry food, it will get fat and stop eating algae forever.

Water Quality: Demands mature and stable tanks. Absolutely intolerant to pollution and to tanks that are too hot and poor in oxygen. Reacts to nitrite spikes by immediately losing liveliness and color.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Good community fish. Can annoy adult Discus or Angelfish by resting on their broad flanks to scrape the protective mucus, if a balanced diet is not provided or algae are lacking.

Aquarium Reproduction: Practically impossible in private tanks. In Southeast Asia they are reproduced in outdoor tanks by means of hormonal stimulation for commercial purposes.

Risks and Diseases: Risk of incorrect purchases: false "SAEs" (Gyrinocheilus, Epalzeorhynchos) which as adults become monstrously aggressive and stop cleaning algae.

Fish profile

Temperament: Totalmente pacifico e instancabile lavoratore. Da adulto può diventare slightly boisterous (turbolento nei movimenti) per i piccoli pesci.
Diet: Onnivoro/Erbivoro specializzato. Mangia avidamente alghe a pennello, filamentose e verdi. Da adulto apprezzerà verdure sbollentate, pastiglie di spirulina e wafer affondanti.
Tank level: Bottom and middle
Minimum group: 3
Adult size: 15 cm
Minimum tank: 150 L
GH: 2 dGH - 15 dGH
KH: n/a
TDS: n/a
Conductivity: n/a
Sex ratio: Da tenere in piccoli banchi (3-5 esemplari). Da soli tendono a nascondersi o a stressarsi. I litigi tra conspecifici sono innocui.
Feeding frequency: Se le alghe scarseggiano, nutrire quotidianamente con vegetali. Altrimenti, integrare 2-3 volte a settimana.
Bioload: Medio (crescita rapida)
Flow: Corrente moderata o forte
Jump risk: Covered tank required
Reproduction: Mai riprodotto in acquario in modo documentato. Negli allevamenti asiatici vengono riprodotti tramite l'uso di ormoni.
Compatibility: Pesce di comunità perfetto. Convive benissimo con Tetra, Rasbora, Corydoras, Gourami e Ciclidi Nani. Da evitare con Ciclidi grandi o aggressivi del Centro/Sud America.

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.