Origins and Classification
- Scientific Name: Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
- Family: Gyrinocheilidae (Algae Eaters)
- Origin: Native to Southeast Asia, particularly the Mekong, Chao Phraya, and Xi Jiang river systems, including regions of Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
- Popularity: Widely kept for its algae-eating abilities and hardy nature, the Chinese Algae Eater is a popular choice for controlling algae growth in larger freshwater aquariums.
🎨 Appearance
- Color: Typically golden-brown to olive, with a darker horizontal stripe running along the body. Albino and golden color variants are also common.
- Structure:
- Streamlined, torpedo-shaped body built for clinging to surfaces.
- Specialized sucker mouth used for scraping algae from rocks, glass, and decorations.
- Size: Grows up to 10–11 inches (25–28 cm) in adulthood (much larger than most expect).
- Lifespan: 8–10 years with good water quality and diet.
🏡 Tank Requirements
- Tank Size: Minimum 55 gallons for adult size; young fish may start in smaller tanks (30+ gallons).
- Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
- pH: 6.5–7.5
- Hardness: 5–15 dGH
- Lighting: Moderate; brighter light encourages algae growth for natural grazing.
- Substrate: Fine gravel or smooth stones.
- Habitat Setup:
- Provide rocks, driftwood, and smooth surfaces for algae attachment.
- Maintain good water flow with efficient filtration.
- Keep tight-fitting lid — known jumpers when startled.
