Chinese Algae Eater

The Chinese Algae Eater, *Gyrinocheilus aymonieri*, is a Cypriniforme common to
Southeast Asia and found in the Malay Peninsula, Mekong Basin, Mae Klong basin, and the Xe Bang river. G. aymonieri is most often found in large rivers, attached by its
suckermouth to flat surfaces to avoid getting swept away by flowing water.
In the aquarium hobby, the Chinese Algae Eater is available in a wide variety of color morphes,
including the olive and black wild type, gold, albino, and marbled forms.
The Chinese Algae Eater, though often sold as a small fish at about two or three inches,
reaches at least eleven inches fully grown, typically needing a larger tank after several
years. The Chinese Algae Eater, as the name suggests, is a fantastic algae eater when
young, outpacing most other popular aquarium fish, but with age and size comes a
preference for meatier foods. A fully mature specimen will prefer a diet of prepared
aquarium foods, frozen crustaceans, and small fish. This change in diet is also reflected in
their temperament, with older, larger individuals becoming more aggressive and
territorial, especially to their own kind. However, these larger, tougher fish are very well
suited to South American or Asiatic cichlid tanks, carving out their own niche in the
community.Whether you keep a peaceful community aquarium or a more aggressive tank,
a Chinese Algae Eater is effective slime control.