Largest Siamese algae eater you have seen?

[EntoStentor]

I had otos in hard water and they lived for years. They need large tanks to thrive, despite their small size.

I have SAEs about 2.5 years old now which I raised from juveniles. I got them together with a group of denison barb fry and the lot grew together. The barbs are now way larger and chunkier than the SAEs. Denison barbs max size is 6 inch. It is of course species dependent but I think SAEs will never exceed 6 inches, if they reach that size at all. They're also slender, lets say in comparison to denison barbs. Mine are probably 4-5 inch max. at this stage and have not noticed them growing anymore, unless the growth is really slow to notice. Also, what people have seen as large SAEs, were not SAEs but different species of fish that resemble SAEs, most likely flying foxes.

I also really like my SAEs and they thrive if kept in a school, they are extremely social. Mine also swim together with the denison barbs almost all the time in one large school. They too like cleaning my hand during maintenance

I had them in a 65. Idk maybe it was just water quality at the lfs (I know mine was good) or something. Whatever the case, wouldn't keep them again.

 

[Coryloach]

I forgot to say. Mine are Chrossocheilus Langei . They can be distinguished by the black spot near the anal fin.

The other common species sold aroound, that look very similar to C.langei is C. atrilimes but they do not have the black spot on the underside. They also don't tend to eat algae when they grow up. There are many more species, some not described yet properly.

C.oblongus are not true SAEs, if that's what the OP has. They supposedly are blueish fish with yellow fins

 

[Coryloach]

I had them in a 65. Idk maybe it was just water quality at the lfs (I know mine was good) or something. Whatever the case, wouldn't keep them again.

You were probably just unlucky to come across a weak batch. It is something to do with how they're caught and also, if exposed to long periods of starvation they may never recover. Other than that, if they last in the tank a month, they'll last for years.

 

[Coryloach]

Just took a picture of one of mine. See the grey fish on the plant in the first and above the black pvc pipe in the second picture, The barbs are the same age as the SAEs. They were all fry when I got them. A couple of my SAEs are are a bit chunkier than the ones in pictures but not as large as the barbs. I can't tell you what size the barbs are but in person they look big enough. The tank is 240G. Hence I guessed my 2.5 years old SAEs are no more than 4-5 inch,.

 

[mattybecks]

Geo's are not generally piscivores, they prefer tiny foods, so if the Otos (usually sold as wild caught adults) would be a bit large. they tend to be ignored by Geo's.
Otos are difficult, only if not treated right. They prefer being in shoals of 5 or more, most people buy 2 and wonder why they don't do well.
They also need a good crop of algae to be well established before adding to the tank, or they don't get enough nutrition. Also prefer soft to neutral water. Same with Siamese algae eaters, of they can turn to tank mates for sustenance.
Mine did well once I took into account these needs.
I would put rocks and other tank decor outside in containers of old tank water in the sun, to grow thick mats of algae throughout summer, enough to last for months, and use that algae I tried to cultivate for all algae eating species. (along with Spirulina based prepared foods.

This is a really good idea. Thank you. I think I will try this out myself

 

[mattybecks]

Just took a picture of one of mine. See the grey fish on the plant in the first and above the black pvc pipe in the second picture, The barbs are the same age as the SAEs. They were all fry when I got them. A couple of my SAEs are are a bit chunkier than the ones in pictures but not as large as the barbs. I can't tell you what size the barbs are but in person they look big enough. The tank is 240G. Hence I guessed my 2.5 years old SAEs are no more than 4-5 inch,.
View attachment 1362186View attachment 1362187

Thanks for the pics. Nice healthy looking fish!

 

[mattybecks]

I agree that with 15 silver dollars, and 7 Geo's, your tank is pretty well stocked as is, but maybe something small in that category would fit the bill.
If it were me, because I prefer geographically correct species in display tanks, I would use something similar like the South American species Otocinclus. Or...
Start a separate Asian species tank.

Gosh I would love to have another large tank for an Asian set up. In my ideal world each tank would be geographic area specific. Unfortunately my apt. size is limiting, and I am on the top floor. I already have two tanks, a 180gal and 40 gal so anymore might end up with my neighbours below unwilling experiencing my love for fish too.

 

[mattybecks]

Thank you to everyone for the feedback and insight. It is much appreciated.
I think I will just keep everything as is for now. Keeping a close eye on those SDs and Geos. Just this morning I noticed 6 of the 7 geos seem to have lost their pelvic fin trailers. I hope the SDs aren't nibbling.

 

[phreeflow]

I have definitely seen them at least 6” or more. Really cool at that size

I’m gonna have to redact this statement. I was thinking you asked about Chinese Algae Eaters. Largest SIAMESE I’ve seen was probably around 4”

 

[Lepisosteus]

I’ve seen a few that pushed 2-3ft (20-40lbs) in my day. The fisherman that caught it was an unbelievable angler. One like no other. He had prize catches from all over the globe. I still remember our South American fishing trip like it was yesterday. It was terrible weather out in the amazon basin in south eastern Peru, not a single bite in hours until we hooked into something that we thought was a miniature submarine (well at least he did and he knows better than I). Still can’t believe what we pulled out to this day.