{"product_id":"siamese-algae-eater-crossocheilus-oblongus","title":"Siamese Algae Eater | Crossocheilus oblongus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Siamese Algae Eater is the aquarium's hardest-working algae grazer — a slim, active, silver-bronze fish with a bold black stripe, and one of the very few that will genuinely eat troublesome black beard algae. Peaceful, hardy and endlessly busy, it reaches around 13–15 cm and earns its keep in a planted community.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrossocheilus oblongus is native to mainland Southeast Asia and parts of the Malay Peninsula and larger Indonesian islands, where it lives in fast, clear forest streams and rivers, grazing algae and biofilm from rocks, roots and driftwood in well-oxygenated water.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA slender, torpedo-shaped body of pale gold to silvery bronze is crossed by a single bold black stripe running from the snout to the tail, with a slightly ragged edge. True Siamese Algae Eaters lack barbels compared with look-alikes, and the black stripe extends right into the tail fin — useful features for telling them apart from flying foxes and false SAEs.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful and very active, though it can become mildly territorial with its own kind, so either keep a single fish or a group of three or more to spread out any squabbling. It is a fast, energetic swimmer that mixes well with most community fish that appreciate the same conditions, and it is quite capable of holding its own.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that grazes algae and biofilm but should not rely on it alone. Supplement with quality sinking pellets, algae wafers, blanched vegetables and occasional frozen foods. Well-fed adults eat less algae, but a varied diet keeps them healthy and active.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 110 L for a single fish, with 150 L or larger for a group of these active swimmers. Keep temperature at 20–27 °C, pH 6.0–8.0 and soft to moderately hard water. Clean, well-oxygenated water with some flow, plus rocks, driftwood and plants to graze and rest on, suits it best. A secure lid is wise, as they can jump. It is plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eRarely bred in the home aquarium. Commercial supplies are produced on farms using hormonal induction, and spontaneous spawning in a normal tank is essentially unrecorded, so home breeding is not a realistic prospect for most keepers.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCrossocheilus oblongus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSiamese Algae Eater, SAE\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoutheast Asia (mainland and Malay Peninsula)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 13–15 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (active; mildly territorial with own kind)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore: algae, biofilm, sinking pellets, algae wafers, vegetables, frozen foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to moderately hard, around 4–15 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlanted community aquariums needing algae control\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include tetras, rasboras, danios, barbs, rainbowfish, gouramis, peaceful cichlids and other community catfish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with very aggressive or much larger predatory fish, and be mindful of keeping several SAEs in a small tank, where they may squabble over grazing territory.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232877232419,"sku":"AA2023-S","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232877265187,"sku":"AA2023","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232877297955,"sku":"BA9335","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/siamese-algae-eater-crossoch-43091556598051.webp?v=1790303881","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/siamese-algae-eater-crossocheilus-oblongus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}