Chinese algae eater

Care at a glance

Despite its name the Chinese algae eater does not come from China but from Thailand, Laos and neighbouring countries, where it clings to rocks in current with its sucker mouth. When young it clears up film algae, but as an adult it loses nearly all interest in them.

Over the years it grows large and territorial, and may start rasping at the flanks of tall, flat-bodied fish such as angelfish and discus, damaging their slime coat. For algae control an otocinclus or Siamese algae eater is the better pick, and keep this species only in a large tank with robust tankmates.

Good to know

• Territorial
• Outgrows most home tanks

Best not combined with

• AngelfishPterophyllum scalare
• Discus (common)Symphysodon aequifasciatus
• Heckel discusSymphysodon discus

Related species

• Bala sharkBalantiocheilos melanopterus
• Flying foxEpalzeorhynchos kalopterus
• KoiCyprinus rubrofuscus
• Red-tailed black sharkEpalzeorhynchos bicolor
• Clown barbBarbodes everetti
• Medaka rice fishOryzias latipes