Chinese Algae Eater

[chibi]

I want to know why everyone gives Chinese Algae Eaters a bad rap.

I'm sure that not everyone who says they are mean, get huge and are aggresive has had one. I have one that is almost 2.5 years old and resides in my 29-gallon. He's about 3.5" long, never chases or attacks anyone, and the only "aggresive" thing he has done is eaten at a dying fish.

I had 2 in a 10 gallon for almost two years, and they never fought. They stayed at about 2.5". Never aggresive.

Everyone I talk to who has one says they aren't aggresive and don't get 7" like some people say.

What the heck??

 

[afishdude]

having two in a 10g might have stunted them causing them to be 2.5"

but yea it all depends on the fish's personality really.

 

[The-Wolf]

I have an 8" CAE and he is as docile as a pentazona barb.
I do think that in the wrong conditions they can be aggressive

keep in mind they are from mountain streams where the water is crystal clear and has a very fast current
and if you can replicate this closely then they should be an ok addition to any fish from similar streams.
also avoid putting them with deep bodied fish, such as discus or dollars and they won't have a chance to
taste any slime coat let alone get a liking for it.

 

[pinkdolphin_113]

i had a 7 inch CAE and it did chase fish for their slime coat or something (not quite sure why) but, in my opinion, this doesn't make them aggressive, they're just trying to eat.

and as mentioned, they are from fast flowing streams so they're built to fight the current making them an extremely fast swimmer in none fast flowing water (lets say the average aquarium). they don't get too big but it is a fish that can over power alot of fish it's size and slightly bigger - this is where people get the idea of them being "aggresive"

 

[cuticom]

Can I ask how you guys keep your CAES, tank size, with fish/without etc? as I've always wanted one LOL...

 

[The-Wolf]

mine is currently in my 22G with small danios (leopards and a species yet to be determined)
the only reason he is in there is to help with an algae problem.
next week he will go back into my 42G with my mid sized danios (Barred and Sadar)
also have a pair of kribs a few Botias and some stonelapping minnows amongst others

both these tanks have quite a fast flow and are not what I'd call a normal community set up, for that fact

 

[Rex740]

The one i had in my 48 gallon tank grew to 4 1/2 inches.

 

[chibi]

Ahh, maybe the current in my tank has something to do with it. It's not very strong, but I have two steady ones from my powerful filter and UV Sterilizer outtube.

 

[Britesprite]

I had one that I got when I first started my tank up, the lady at the store told me that they wouldn't get very big since I only had a 10G. Within 2 months he went from about 1" to 3" He got really agressive towards the mollies in the tank and I had to move him into another tank.

 

[DevUK]

The reputation seems to be because they are sold to people as "algae eaters" and are fine for the first few months or so, untill they mature. As soon as the mature they loose interest in eating algae. I was sold 2, along with 3 orandas and 6 zebra danios, all for a 7 us gal tank! I've learnt since then, the hard way. Anyway, my CAE used to latch on and suck the slime off of my fancy goldfish too. I used to hate him for it, but now I know that it was my ignorance about how he should be homed that caused the problems.

Anyhow, he's 2 years old now, and he has a 180litre rio and some nice places to hide. It doesn't have the fast flow, but he seems to be pretty happy now. He leaves the other fish alone too. He's housed with small community fish and they all get along fine. He's about 5" long now, but I suspect he was stunted when he was growing up due to the small tank He's still growing though