Algae Eaters.....

[shi24137]

So I have 2 suspected Chinese Algae Eaters (LFS says Golden Algae Eaters) and I've recently been told that they will eventually lose their appetite for algae and gain an appetite for fish slime? Has anyone ever heard of this and if so has it ever happened to you? Please share your stories with me, I'm very curious about this now...Here is a picture of my little guy, I have two of them.
http/i127.photobucket.com/albums/p129/shi24137/AlgaeEater.jpg

 

[mislisa]

I had a large (10 year old) Golden Algae Eater in my first tank.... i also had corys mysteriously disapearing. The only fish in the aquarium big enough was the GAE.

 

[crunch7]

It depends on the species of the fish.

 

[shi24137]

platies and guppies is what i have in my tank with it

 

[Prime Ordeal]

I personally wouldn't ever risk having a mature CAE with any other fish because of the horror stories I've heard. But then again I've also heard of people who have no problem with them. I think it's just the luck of the draw as to what personality your CAE have. The type of other fish you put them with also matters. If you let them get hungry though they will definitely start looking for other sources and that's usually the slime coat (or eyes!) of larger, slow fish.

 

[shi24137]

My algae eaters don't seem to want to even be around my fish, when one comes over they swim away, but I'll definitely keep an eye on them

 

[Dieses Madchen]

My CAE was horrible with my platys and guppies. I have him in with a betta while i am looking for a home for him. I have never seen a quieter CAE since I put him with the betta....

 

[Prime Ordeal]

My CAE was horrible with my platys and guppies. I have him in with a betta while i am looking for a home for him. I have never seen a quieter CAE since I put him with the betta....

It's strange isn't it? You'd think all that finnage on the betta would be like a red rag to a bull. Perhaps it was the fact that he was with more than one fish before and felt permanently threatened. Who knows?