Siamese algae eater

Siamese algae eater
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cypriniformes
Family:	Cyprinidae
Genus:	Crossocheilus
Species:	C. oblongus
Binomial name
Crossocheilus oblongus Kuhl & van Hasselt, 1823

The Siamese algae eater, Crossocheilus oblongus, is a species of freshwater fish in the carp family, Cyprinidae. This bottom-dwelling tropical fish is found in mainland Southeast Asia that includes the Chao Phraya and Mekong basins as well as the Malay Peninsula. Their natural habitats are streams and rivers as well as flooded forests during the rainy season. The Siamese algae eater should not be confused with the Flying fox (Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus) or the False siamensis (Garra cambodgiensis).

The Siamese algae eater has a black horizontal stripe extending from opercle to tail. The genuine Crossocheilus siamensis without maxillary barbels and with deeply fringed V-shaped upper lip^[1][2] is rarely encountered in the aquarium trade.^[3]

Closely related is the Red-algae eater Crossocheilus langei, a species that is widely sold as the Siamese algae eater. It has a bright brownish elongate body with a slightly flat belly. It has a prominent brown-black horizontal stripe extending from nose to tail. This fish may grow up to the length of 16 centimeters. It possesses small maxillary barbels and an unfringed shallowly arcuate upper lip.^[4] Two other similar species are traded as Siamese algae eaters, namely Crossocheilus atrilimes,^[5] a species that likes to eat Java moss rather than red algae, and an undescribed species of Crossocheilus.^[3]

Aquarium care

The information concerns the red algae eater Crossocheilus langei. This hardy fish is commonly found in the aquarium trade and is one of the most popular and effective tank algae cleaners. They are active and fast swimmers that will school together if kept in a group, but some individuals may display aggression to their own kind or related fishes. In general, the red-algae eater can be kept in most community tanks and are reportedly much less aggressive than similar fishes such as the Chinese algae eater or the red-tailed black shark.

They prefer water temperature range of 24–26°C, a pH range of 6.5-8.0, and a water hardness of 5-20 dH. Because the red algae eaters are effective at controlling the tank algae, many aquarists like to place them in heavily-planted tanks with strong lightings that promote the growth of algae. Unlike other aquarium algae eater fishes, the red algae eater is valued for its ability to eat red algae (particularly Audouinella). The fish, however, are opportunistic feeders and will eat pellets and most other food, a tendency that strengthens with age.

The fish is a good jumper. The lid of the tank should be properly closed leaving no large hole for the fish to jump out of the tank.

Siamese Algae Eaters will often school together, but are also content living solo. When two are kept together, they will often establish their own territory as they mature. They can be a long-lived fish, ten years experienced.

Links

• Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2011). Crossocheilus oblongus in FishBase. August 2011 version.
• Algae Eating Cyprinids from Thailand and Neighboring Areas
• Simple key to species denoted as Crossocheilus siamensis

References

1. ^ Smith, H. M., Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus. v. 79 (1931) : 20
2. ^ Smith, H. M., The fresh-water fishes of Siam, or Thailand. Bull. U. S. Natl. Mus. No. 188 (1945) : 265
3. ^ ^{a b} Niederle, J., Akvárium terárium 50 (2007), 9-10 : 18-23.
4. ^ Bleeker, P., Acta Soc. Sci. Indo-Neerl. 7 (N. S.2)(1860) : 127
5. ^ Kottelat, M., J. South Asian Nat. Hist. 5 (2000), 1 : 39.