Siamese algae-eater
Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
The Siamese algae eater from the Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Klong basins clings to rocks in the current with its sucker mouth and grazes algae. Despite the trade name 'Chinese', it does not occur in China or India. It reaches 28 centimetres and becomes territorial with age. There are golden, albino and other forms. It is a food fish locally; aquarium fish are farmed with hormones.
- Scientific name
- Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
- Family
- Gyrinocheilidae
Fact sheet
General
- Water
- Freshwater
- Group
- Fish
Taxonomy
- Family
- Gyrinocheilidae
- Order
- Cypriniformes
- Synonyms
- Gyrinocheilops kaznakoi, Gyrinocheilus kaznakoi, Gyrinocheilus kaznakovi, Gyrinocheilus monchadskii, Gyrinocheilus pennocki, Psilorhynchus aymonieri
Origin
- Native region
- Ásia
Water
- Temperature
- 22–26 °C
- pH
- 6–8
- General hardness (GH)
- 2–20 °dGH
Size and lifespan
- Adult size
- 28 cm
- Minimum tank (volume)
- 304 L
- Minimum tank (length)
- 150 cm
Behavior
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Social life
- Solitary
- Swimming level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Herbivore
Care
- Care difficulty
- Moderate
Conservation and trade
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
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