So I read a ton of conflicting information on here about SAE's and how they stop going after algae once they're beyond a certain size. I have 4 that are full grown or close and they're always busy cleaning leaves and drift wood. Is it safe to assume the quitters aren't SAE?
I have a 5 year old, 6 inch true SAE, and he eats plenty of algae, and is not territorial towards the other 5x 6-8 month old sae's in tank. It is a large tank, but they do big work.
I posted the below long time ago on another thread. But have a look yourself at the info I posted:
There are many species Crossocheilus fish one of which is Crossocheilus siamensis and I am not talking about Flying fox, false Siamese algae eaters or Chinese algae eaters which are a different ball game.
Hence the different experience people have with them.
Crossocheilus siamensis according to seriouslyfish almost does not exist in the hobby.
The one that is closest to it and to which we refer as SAE is Crossocheilus langei and is the one you want. It's an avid algae eater.
For more info how to distinguish them see "Notes" section on the following link:
What most people have is Crossocheilus atrilimes which eats algae when young, but prefers fish food when grown up and also likes small soft leaved plants and moss. It doesn't grow as big as C.langei
Crossocheilus atrilimes has only two barbels as opposed to Crossocheilus langei which has 4 barbels. C. Langei has a blotch immediately in front of the anal fin unlike C.atrilimes or some other types like C.oblonga.
Here is more info on several types of SAEs and notice they all have the black line going into the tail so that's not the only way to distinguish between true and false ones...These are all Siamese algae eaters, not flying foxes, not Chinese algae eaters, or false SAEs
Bit late but I would of said due to the yellow in the dorsal fin it's a flying Fox, SAE have clear fins and jagged edges on the stripe running along their bodies, whereas yours to me looks a little more rigid
Richard - Happy Fish Keeping
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