{"product_id":"chinese-algae-eater-gyrinocheilus-aymonieri","title":"Chinese Algae Eater | Gyrinocheilus aymonieri","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSold tiny as an algae crew, the Chinese Algae Eater is a fish to choose with open eyes. It eats less algae and grows bigger and grumpier with age — reaching 25 cm or more — and older fish may rasp the protective slime coat off broad-bodied tankmates. Hardy and long-lived, but it needs space and careful company.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative to fast-flowing rivers and streams across Southeast Asia, through the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins of Thailand, Laos and neighbouring countries. It lives in well-oxygenated, flowing water, clinging to rocks and submerged wood with its sucker-like mouth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn elongated, golden-brown fish with a dark lateral band and a downturned, sucker mouth. A popular golden (xanthic) form is widely sold. With age the body thickens, the colour muddies and males may develop tubercles around the snout. This is a much larger animal than the 3 cm juveniles usually offered.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful when young but increasingly territorial and cantankerous with age. Older fish guard feeding spots and may latch onto the flanks of flat-sided fish to rasp their slime. Best kept singly, with fast, robust tankmates, and never with slow or disc-shaped fish like discus, angelfish or goldfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that grazes algae and biofilm as a youngster but takes more protein with age. Offer algae wafers, spirulina and vegetables alongside sinking pellets and the occasional frozen food, so it never has to resort to tankmates for a meal.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHardy but demanding on space. Provide a tank of at least 200 litres for an adult, with strong filtration, good oxygenation and some current, plus smooth rocks and wood to graze and hide among. Keep water clean and well-maintained.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEssentially not bred in the home aquarium — commercial stock is farmed with hormonal assistance. Sexing is difficult until maturity, and their adult size and temperament make deliberate breeding impractical for hobbyists.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGyrinocheilus aymonieri\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChinese Algae Eater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoutheast Asia (Mekong and Chao Phraya basins)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25–28 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10+ years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (territorial with age)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (algae grazer when young)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–26 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–19 dGH (soft to hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarger community and river-style aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFast, robust fish such as larger barbs, danios, rainbowfish, robust loaches and other hardy species that can keep out of its way.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDiscus, angelfish, goldfish and other slow or flat-bodied fish whose slime coat is at risk, plus other Chinese Algae Eaters, which fight.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232873595171,"sku":"AA3659-S","price":4.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232873627939,"sku":"AA3659","price":6.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232873660707,"sku":"AA3659-L","price":11.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"X-Large (15-25cm)","offer_id":55351970660643,"sku":"AA3659-XL","price":16.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/chinese-algae-eater-gyrinoch-43091552895267-lv.webp?v=1790307187","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/chinese-algae-eater-gyrinocheilus-aymonieri","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}