Matt - 2004-05-18 I just wanted to add my comments to this - I had a Chinese Algae eater for forever - just died recently - I think of old age. It was at least 6 years old and it grew to be a lot bigger than normally seen (around 6.5-7.0 inches). It was a really cool fish, practically indestructible, but it was extremely territorial. I kept it with cichlids so they held their own. But it was a moody little SOB, would rearrange its tank if the plants and cave werent in the right spot, etc. I would suggest that you have some sort of cave or hiding place for them as mine liked to hide until nighttime.
Elizabeth - 2004-04-04 I have a Chinese Algae Eater in my tank. He is cute and fun to watch! So far he hasnt climbed out even though there is a space big enough for him to try! He keeps the tank sparkling clean, and doesnt really bother with my other fish and they dont bother him either. (I have tiger barbs, gouramis, and a lg. angel).
Louie Rod - 2004-03-31 The chinese algae eater will stop eating algae but eat old fish flakes at the bottom of your tank when older and will start gaining weight and slowing it down.
Judith - 2004-03-12 I have never had a problem with the algae eater actually crawling out of the tank, however it did eat my ghost shrimp, kill my neons, and then kill another rather large fish. I have no clue how this little guy has killed my fish. I am down to two fish, and the eater, and I am worried to buy more. I would not recommend this guy if you are rather attached to your fish. I hear they are either extremely good, or extremely bad. Watch out for these guys!
Mike - 2004-03-08 I have one and he is the most fun to watch. if you get one you should feed it par-boiled vegtables like lettuce and cucumbers. They will eat them all day long and they will also eat the algae when they get bored with the vegtables.
Cory B. - 2004-02-20 It sits under the filter and lets the food come to it rather than actualy cleaning the walls of the tank. It only moves if you try to look at it, upon walking up to the glass, it darts out from under the filter. Aside from a little obesity, its healthy and low maintenance.
Cecilia - 2004-01-20 LUCY I hear ya sister. ive had three suckers climb out of my 10 gallon tank through a 4x1 inch space. what happened in my other experiences. more catastophe- it sucked the scales off of its tank mate- wounds which quickly festered and grew fungus and the fish died. After killing all my other fish- the little demon climbed through the tank and on to the hood, right next to the light switch. The image of its dried out body practicaly mocking me still haunts me today.
Lucy - 2003-11-30 Lovely, efficient fish, but beware. They are smart little devils and will climb. I had about five square inches of open space, a gap in the hood for my filter. Low and behold, the little sucker managed to climb out of the tank and on to the floor. Also, this fish can be territorial, and if in the right mind will have its way. My second, the fish that preceded the little worm who climbed his way to my living room carpet, had a huge territory problem, he would suck the scales off fish who entered it. I gave him a rock cave to please him, but then he stopped EaTiNg, heaven knows why.
michelle - 2003-08-17 I have kept one of these fish in a non heated four ft tank with mexican walking fish and it ate all my algae so they do work in cold water or at least for me it did unfortunatly my walking fish ate it not long after! now i have another one in the same tank but now it is a heated tank with tropical fish my algue eater however is not the same as the one pictured as i have an albino morph of this species its a nice golden colour. my fish is only 2 inches and is friendly and fun to watch.
The Chinese Algae Eater is a workhorse when it comes to its job... eating algae!
I just wanted to add my comments to this - I had a Chinese Algae eater for forever - just died recently - I think of old age. It was at least 6 years old and it grew to be a lot bigger than normally seen (around 6.5-7.0 inches). It was a really cool fish, practically indestructible, but it was extremely territorial. I kept it with cichlids so they held their own. But it was a moody little SOB, would rearrange its tank if the plants and cave werent in the right spot, etc. I would suggest that you have some sort of cave or hiding place for them as mine liked to hide until nighttime.
I have a Chinese Algae Eater in my tank. He is cute and fun to watch! So far he hasnt climbed out even though there is a space big enough for him to try! He keeps the tank sparkling clean, and doesnt really bother with my other fish and they dont bother him either. (I have tiger barbs, gouramis, and a lg. angel).
The chinese algae eater will stop eating algae but eat old fish flakes at the bottom of your tank when older and will start gaining weight and slowing it down.
I have never had a problem with the algae eater actually crawling out of the tank, however it did eat my ghost shrimp, kill my neons, and then kill another rather large fish. I have no clue how this little guy has killed my fish. I am down to two fish, and the eater, and I am worried to buy more. I would not recommend this guy if you are rather attached to your fish. I hear they are either extremely good, or extremely bad. Watch out for these guys!
I have one and he is the most fun to watch. if you get one you should feed it par-boiled vegtables like lettuce and cucumbers. They will eat them all day long and they will also eat the algae when they get bored with the vegtables.
It sits under the filter and lets the food come to it rather than actualy cleaning the walls of the tank. It only moves if you try to look at it, upon walking up to the glass, it darts out from under the filter. Aside from a little obesity, its healthy and low maintenance.
LUCY I hear ya sister. ive had three suckers climb out of my 10 gallon tank through a 4x1 inch space. what happened in my other experiences. more catastophe- it sucked the scales off of its tank mate- wounds which quickly festered and grew fungus and the fish died. After killing all my other fish- the little demon climbed through the tank and on to the hood, right next to the light switch. The image of its dried out body practicaly mocking me still haunts me today.
Lovely, efficient fish, but beware. They are smart little devils and will climb. I had about five square inches of open space, a gap in the hood for my filter. Low and behold, the little sucker managed to climb out of the tank and on to the floor. Also, this fish can be territorial, and if in the right mind will have its way. My second, the fish that preceded the little worm who climbed his way to my living room carpet, had a huge territory problem, he would suck the scales off fish who entered it. I gave him a rock cave to please him, but then he stopped EaTiNg, heaven knows why.
I have kept one of these fish in a non heated four ft tank with mexican walking fish and it ate all my algae so they do work in cold water or at least for me it did unfortunatly my walking fish ate it not long after!
now i have another one in the same tank but now it is a heated tank with tropical fish my algue eater however is not the same as the one pictured as i have an albino morph of this species its a nice golden colour. my fish is only 2 inches and is friendly and fun to watch.