Chinese Algae Eaters

[rdd1952]

After reading a couple more threads today about algae eaters and seeing that a couple people are confusing SAE and CAE (saying that SAEs get aggressive when it's actually CAEs that do ), I started thinking. It's pretty much general knowledge that CAEs are bad news and that, despite their name, they really don't eat much algae. Why then does every store that sells fish sell CAEs? What do all these people do with them once they turn on the other fish in a tank, including other CAEs? I guess they must be cheap for the stores to buy. Doesn't make much sense to me though.

 

[CFC]

Because after people have wised up that a common plec will outgrow their 10g within a few months but they still want an algea eater because they think a tank cant survive without one the CAE is the next thing most stores recomend because SAE are hard to get hold of and arent as cheap.

 

[sylvia]

I also think the fact that they are called 'chinese ALGAE EATERS' means people will always buy them - I'm sure most newcomers to the hobby buy one of these at some point. They are common and cheap so they get sold and LFSs have good reason to stock them. I mean I think most people who buy common plecs just like their weird appearance or are pointed in that direction by the LFS staff when they ask for soemthing that'll eat alage - but someone who's specificaly looking for an 'algae eater' will most deffinately en up with a fish that has 'algae eater' in its name. Not sure if that made any sense...

 

[Bloo]

I actually think that reputable shops should not sell them - or if they do, have a sign on the tank with a little *warning*. Same with common plecs and sailfins and iredecent sharks (oh and the list probably goes on.....). They look so cute when they are an inch big.
I lay part of the blame on the shops.

 

[rdd1952]

I actually think that reputable shops should not sell them - or if they do, have a sign on the tank with a little *warning*. Same with common plecs and sailfins and iredecent sharks (oh and the list probably goes on.....). They look so cute when they are an inch big.
I lay part of the blame on the shops.

[snapback]899793[/snapback]​

That pretty much what I'm getting at. People buy them because they're the only "algae eater" they see and I'm sure they haven't done any research. When I first started, I almost bought some "golden algae eaters". Fortunately, I came home and did some research to learn that they were actually a gold strain of chinese algae eaters so I didn't go back and get them.

I strongly believe that LFS should post a warning on them but then again, that would hurt their sales so they wouldn't want to do that. I wonder what people do with them once they start attacking their other fish? At least with a pleco, you can upgrade to a larger tank and keep him. With CAE that's not the case. You've still got a problem fish.

 

[WAG741L]

After reading a couple more threads today about algae eaters and seeing that a couple people are confusing SAE and CAE (saying that SAEs get aggressive when it's actually CAEs that do ), I started thinking. It's pretty much general knowledge that CAEs are bad news and that, despite their name, they really don't eat much algae. Why then does every store that sells fish sell CAEs? What do all these people do with them once they turn on the other fish in a tank, including other CAEs? I guess they must be cheap for the stores to buy. Doesn't make much sense to me though.

[snapback]899725[/snapback]​

I was ploughing through these threads today, too, because I wanted to identify one of the fish I have 'inherited', having bought an unwanted set-up. I now know that I don't have a plecocostomus, I have a bristle nose catfish - and much to my horror, and entirely by reading these pages, I find I also have three Chinese Algae Eaters. The description of their activities on the other thread made my blood freeze.

When we first started (28 years ago) they were commonly called 'Sucking Loaches', and we were told that they were essential for eating algae. We have had a long break from fish (about 20 years) and so much more information is available now, not least via the internet.

I introduced myself in the 'Newbie' section, and made a couple of general observations there regarding our new (old) tank, and all the innovations. It really does seem I have a lot to catch up on ...

 

[sylvia]

You still find them under 'sucking loach' sometimes but it seems chinese 'algae eater' sells better Seriously though, the fish isn't an algae eater, isn't a loach and isn't chinese... the only part of their name(s) that works is 'sucking'.

 

[rdd1952]

Seriously though, the fish isn't an algae eater, isn't a loach and isn't chinese... the only part of their name(s) that works is 'sucking'.

[snapback]899813[/snapback]​

Never really thought of that but it's true.

 

[modernhamlet]

the fish isn't an algae eater, isn't a loach and isn't chinese... the only part of their name(s) that works is 'sucking'.

Full points for that one... well played.

 

[Bloo]

You still find them under 'sucking loach' sometimes but it seems chinese 'algae eater' sells better Seriously though, the fish isn't an algae eater, isn't a loach and isn't chinese... the only part of their name(s) that works is 'sucking'.

[snapback]899813[/snapback]​

mmm okiedokie, but what does my CAE do on my glass all day long? It suckers up and down - left and right and sideways and every other which way It's been doing a pretty darn good job over the past three years and "touch wood" has not yet behaved in any suspicious or aggressive way (yet).
Granted all the problems that this fish can cause and create from a very young age and more so when they grow larger.
But I'm very sure mine does eat algae ?

 

[Dangerousdan]

Ive had "Sucking Loaches" in my tanks for last 15 years and still have yet to have one grow over 6" (possiably because it was a 3ft tank) and never seen any agression other than the odd lunge at shark as they pass each other

 

[WILDER]

How to tell the difference.
http/www.aquatic-gardeners.org/cyprinid.html

 

[sylvia]

They do eat algae but aren't strict 'algae eaters' and don't eat it as much once they've grown a bit. They'd much sooner take a shrimp pellet. I've seen plenty grow over 6" and that's when they start getting aggressive as well (at 4-6"). I don't know why yours didn't grow dangerousdan but it may well have to do with tank size, water quality or maybe you didn't keep each one for a particularly long time. Not many people keep them for long enough to let them grow to a decent size but wild-caught ones have been found at 13" I believe and I've seen captive ones at 10". They're actualy quite attractive fish in my opinion - just not the best for a peaceful community.

 

[Bloo]

It's almost a shame that they have such a bad reputation as they grow older as I think mine has a great personality and it would be a real shame when the day comes that I have to make a decision about what to do with him
Mine is probably no larger than 3" at the moment so his growth has not been incredibly rapid though he has plenty and a large variety to eat and lives in 180 litres.

But that aside, they really shouldn't be as easily available as they are.....without a warning.

 

[itZme]

I have wondered the same thing. It is like the sign I saw at Walmart the other day for Red-bellied Pacu (max size 8") $5.98 *community fish* Where do they get these facts? Why would they even THINK of selling those unless it is just the dollar signs they see?

How to tell the difference.
http/www.aquatic-gardeners.org/cyprinid.html

[snapback]899867[/snapback]​

Great link Wilder! I was just there yesterday checking on the four that I just got when purchasing a nice 75gal seup. They are True Siamese Algae Eaters as the woman told me before I bought the tank. I am glad that they are the friendlier version as they have many tankmates that could be seen as food.

I like the looks of them and would probably have never bought them myself but now would recommend them to others as they constantly swim around cleaning and schooling together. They look great doing it too!

I like to use the tiny rounded gravel that I found at the lfs. They call it Texas Grit but it looks so nice and natural in my opinion.

--itZme

Here's a couple pics: