It might not be easy to choose a fish that is appropriate for eating algae in an aquarium because there are so many different types of algae-eating fish available.
As someone new to the hobby of keeping fish, you will most likely run into issues linked to algae, such as excessive algae development. But don’t be alarmed! The Siamese have your back.
Siamese Algae Eater Facts & Overview
The addition of Siamese algae eaters to home aquariums is highly recommended because of their well-known capacity to prevent the growth of algae in the aquarium. Let’s discuss all Siamese Algae Eaters.
Typical Behavior
These fish are known for their peaceful and friendly attitude. So, these fish are considered gentle by nature.
It is not difficult to care for them, regardless of whether you mix them in with other fish or let them have the entire freshwater community aquarium to themselves, particularly if you are just starting out as an aquarist.
Appearance
A Siamese algae eater can have a body coloration of lemon, copper, brown, bronze, or pale gray. They may grow 6 inches and are highly mobile and fast.
Their torsional body form allows them to swim through swift water currents, and they nearly appear like sharks if it weren’t for the fact that their bodies are much smaller and they aren’t violent fish at all.
A Siamese algae eater has a mouth that is directed ventrally and a snout that is inclined slightly upwards. In the wild, a Siamese algae eater with a sucker mouth is equipped with a tool that allows it to adhere to smooth surfaces and move with the tide.
A Siamese algae eater has six transparent fins that extend from a variety of spots, with the triangular fin being the most noticeable of the group.
The bodies of Siamese algae eaters are pretty tiny, and each has a single vertical black stripe that runs the whole length of their bodies, beginning at the head and finishing at the tail.
They are able to blend into the backdrop of the water because of the black stripe that runs down their body, which affords them safety from potential enemies in the wild.
Siamese Algae Eater vs Flying Fox
It might be challenging to tell the difference between these two kinds of fish because they resemble one another closely. However, if you know what signs to look for, the entire situation will become quite clear to you.
-  To begin, the anatomy of their mouths is rather unlike one another. A soft tissue flap is located in the mouth’s edge of the Flying Fox. However, the head of a Siamese Algae Eater lacks this little feature.
-  Flying Fox’s black stripe is straight and has no zigzag edges. On the other hand, the identical stripe on the Siamese Algae Eater has a type of zigzag edge to it rather than a straight edge.
- Â In addition, the background color of the Flying Fox is clear and consistent, but the Siamese Algae Eater has various colors and edges on its scales.
Habitat And Tank Conditions
Siamese Algae Eater type of fish lives in freshwater and is native to Southeast Asia, more especially Thailand and Malaysia. They enjoy rivers and streams with a lot of vegetation growing. In most cases, these waters are warm and acidic.Â
Fact: Siamese algae eater prefers calmer waters with low currents
Typically, these fish will reside in the lowest water level, close to the bottom of the aquarium/river or stream (if in the wild). They have access to various plants, rocks, and other items, such as driftwood and other woody debris, that may be used as both a place to hide and a source of food here.
On the other hand, the Siamese algae eater is required to come to the surface when there is an insufficient supply of food. There is a greater prevalence of algae in certain parts, where it is able to grow in regions of stagnant water.
After settling into a safe haven and becoming accustomed to their surroundings, they rarely go out. Instead, they favor the safety of their selected habitat, which might be a log, cave, etc.
Keeping Siamese Algae Eaters Together
More than one Siamese algae eater can coexist peacefully in an aquarium. They exhibit their most admirable actions in groups of at least four to six members.Â
However, this does not imply that you have to keep them together in a school; on the contrary, they can thrive when housed singly or in pairs.
Tank Mates
Siamese algae eaters are often bottom-dwelling fish that get well together with a broad range of other fish that are kept in the same aquarium. However, you should be careful when selecting other bottom-dwelling fish to mate with because the great majority of bottom dwellers have a natural tendency to be somewhat possessive of their territory.
The company of other community-dwelling fish is recommended for a Siamese algae eater. Tank mates such as Barbs, Tetras, Angel Fish, or cory cats will all thrive in the presence of a Siamese algae eater.
What Size Aquarium Do Siamese Algae Eaters Need?
The Siamese algae eater is pretty easy to care for, but they do require a large aquarium. Generally, you should aim for a tank capacity of at least 20 to 30 gallons of water. That way, they can get out and about and discover new things, but they’ll also have places to hide if needed.
Tank Conditions
It is necessary to have a Siamese algae eater tank between 20 and 30 gallons in size and a hood or cover that fits snugly over the top. A lighting system, a heater, a filtration substrate, plant ornaments, and a water test kit are some of the additional things you will require.
No matter what you do, you need to ensure that the circumstances within their tank are as similar as possible to those in their native habitat.
How Many Siamese Algae Eaters Can Be Kept Per Gallon?
To accommodate one Siamese Algae eater fish, you will need 15-20 gallons of water, and for each fish after that, you will need an additional 10 gallons.
Breeding
It might be challenging to breed Siamese algae eaters in a typical aquarium due to their picky eating habits. Simply said, fish specialists do not know nearly as much about effectively reproducing this species in environments that are not regulated, like those seen in fish farms.
Although it would appear that they reproduce similarly to the majority of other fish of their kind, the majority of fish owners have to rely on fish farms to increase the number of Siamese algae eaters in their tanks. In addition, additional hormones are necessary while producing these fish, even in the controlled environment of a fish farm.
Do not get your hopes up if you consider breeding Siamese algae eaters on your own. If you intend to keep them in your tank, it is in your best interest to ensure that they are both content and healthy.
Care
These fish, in general, are fantastic options for starting aquarium hobbyists since they take minimal care and are not very finicky about other tank fish, diet, or other aspects of their living environments. This makes them wonderful selections for beginners.
Caution is advised in the matter of stocking the aquarium with an excessive number of Siamese fish. It is because more than 6 Siamese Algae Eaters in a small tank may become aggressive and territorial, resulting in massive fights and injuries.
Diet
Siamese Algae Eaters consume a wide range of foods, including the following:
- Â Algae
- Â Dead fish
- Â Plant material
- Â Vegetation
- Â Insects
They will consume all of this and more while they are in the aquarium. You could also consider feeding them the following additional foods to boost their diet:
- Â Bloodworms
- Â Flakes
- Â Pellets
- Â Fish wafers
- Â Brine shrimp
They will consume live foods, meals that have been frozen, and even those that have been freeze-dried.
On the other hand, because they live in the sediment, it is essential to ensure that they consume enough amount of food. One method for accomplishing this goal is to use pellets that sink.
Are Siamese Algae Eaters Suitable For Your Aquarium?
It is possible that a Siamese algae eater may be an excellent option for you if you are seeking a fish that consumes algae without causing disturbances, grows slowly, and is suitable for aquarists of all skill levels.
Siamese Algae Eater vs Otocinclus
They are both experts when it comes to eating algae. The difference is that Siamese Algae Eaters is that they will stop eating algae if you provide them with an excessive amount of other meals. On the other hand, Otocinclus Catfish will only consume algae and vegetables in their diet. They never tire of eating algae, which is a good sign.
Siamese Algae Eater vs Chinese Algae Eater
In contrast to the Siamese algae eater, which has barbels on both sides of its mouth, this Chinese Algae Eater does not have any barbels.
The mouth of the Chinese algae eater, also known as the plecostamus, is in the shape of a sucker. In addition to this, it is estimated that this fish will reach a maximum length of 10-11 inches throughout its lifetime, making it significantly larger than the Siamese algae eater (max 6 inches).
Additionally, the Chinese algae eater is not as sociable as its Siamese counterpart, which is known for its kind temperament. This fish has a reputation for being volatile and hostile toward other species.
Siamese Algae Eater FAQs
Are Siamese Algae Eaters Friendly?
Siamese algae eaters are peaceful fish that may coexist peacefully with various other fish species. So, yes, they are friendly.
How Large Does A Siamese Algae Eater Get?
In just two years, Siamese algae-eaters may reach a length of up to 15 centimeters (about 6 inches), and they can survive for more than ten years when given the best possible conditions.
How Many Siamese Algae Eaters Should I Get?
The Siamese Algae Eaters function most effectively in smaller groups of four to six individuals. They like attending classes together. However, if you just have a tank that is 5 or 10 gallons in capacity, you can only maintain one or two fish in it at a time.
Are Siamese Algae Eaters Good Algae Eaters?
The Siamese Algae Eater is widely regarded as one of the most effective tank cleaners now on the market for aquariums. They are socially acceptable, resilient, and ready to consume a diverse range of red and green algae.
