Siamese algae eater: maintenance, breeding, compatibility in the aquarium

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Siamese algae eater is an indispensable assistant to the aquarist, cleaner and algae eater in the aquarium. This small nimble fish has become increasingly popular in recent years. No other underwater inhabitant can so thoroughly clean the surface of equipment, glass, stones, ceramic figurines and other interior details. The tailed orderly can easily cope even with such aggressive algae as the "black beard", from which neither professional aquarists nor beginners know how to save.

The appearance of the fish

The Siamese algae-eater fish does not differ in particular brightness of color or intricacy of form. They start it most often for the sake of practical benefits. The body is gray or slightly brownish, a wide black stripe stretches along the body (if you look closely, it becomes noticeable that its edges are slightly wavy). Each scale on the edge has a black edging, so onthe body of the fish is clearly visible pattern in the form of a grid. This adds to its decorative effect and distinguishes it from other aquatic inhabitants.

The size of the Siamese algae eater in captivity differs from its size in the wild. In an aquarium, fish rarely grow more than 10 cm, and in the wild they can easily reach 16 cm, and this is not the limit. Little helpers live up to 10 years.

Dwelling in nature

The birthplace of this species is Southeast Asia. From there it was brought to us for the first time in the 60s. It is also found in Sumatra, Thailand and Indonesia. Prefers to settle in fast streams and rivers with a swift current. The pond must have a solid rocky bottom. Algae eater is shy, likes to hide among snags, in the roots of underwater plants and mangrove trees.

For life chooses small streams and backwaters. The water in them warms up faster, which provokes the development of the main type of food - algae and other greens, which the Siamese algae eater loves so much. Keeping and breeding it at home have their own characteristics, but, in principle, are not considered a particularly difficult procedure.

False Algae Eater

Surprisingly, this seemingly unique fish has a "double". In nature, they often form common flocks, so they are often confused and brought to us. The name of this double is the Siamese flying fox. They are really very similar in appearance, but you can still tell the difference. In a real Siamese algae eater, a longitudinal stripe on the body goes to the very tip of the tail, while in a false one it only goes to the beginning of the tail. The edges of the blackest stripe of the flying fox are even, while those of the hero of the article are wavy and zigzag. The mouth of the false cleaner is pink, and near it there are two pairs of whiskers. The real one has only one pair of whiskers and is dyed black.

Why even look for differences if these two fish are so similar in appearance? The fact is that the false Siamese algae eater is almost indifferent to algae in the aquarium. His jaws are arranged a little differently, so he will not perform the function of a cleaner. In addition, the character of this fish is more aggressive. The flying fox will never get along with other active fish in the middle layers of the water - barbs, neons, scalars and others. The only inhabitants who can coexist with them are various catfish and surface zebrafish. They occupy different "floors" in the aquarium and do not interfere with each other.

General Containment Procedures

Clean water is the main thing that the Siamese algae eater requires. Its maintenance as a whole does not differ from the care of other inhabitants. Saturation of water with oxygen should be maximum. Therefore, equipment for purification and aeration will need good.

The fish is undemanding to water parameters, the recommended temperature is around 24-26°, as for many other underwater inhabitants. Water hardness should be kept in the range of 10-20 dh and acidity should be 6-7 pH. Additional lighting is not necessary for the Siamese algae eater in an aquarium, but it is important for the algae that the fish eats. Therefore, it is enough to createconditions for the growth and development of greenery, and its "eater" will be satisfied.

Aquarium requirements

This little fish is very active. Algae eaters love to frolic, they are hyperactive and mobile. But for free swimming, fish need a lot of space. Therefore, it is preferable to choose a low and long aquarium. In it, algae grow more densely, and the inhabitants feel more comfortable. As already mentioned, the purity of the water is important for the algae eater. Therefore, the filter will have to be purchased good, best of all external. Some people buy special equipment to create water flow, but this is not necessary.

A tank with a Siamese algae eater must have a lid. This fish is very jumpy. During the day, she likes to rest on the upper leaves of aquatic plants, periodically jumping up above the water. For this fidget, the presence of shelters is also important - snags, thick stems and dense leaves of plants. It is recommended to plant different types of aquatic moss in the aquarium. The Siamese algae eater loves to eat it, along with harmful algae on windows and equipment.

Aquarium Behavior

As already mentioned, this fish is characterized by increased activity. From the outside it seems that a guest from Siam is constantly on the move, but this is not entirely true. Its air bladder is poorly developed, so the fish has to rest every minute. That's what snags, large stones, ceramic decorations in the aquarium come in handy for. Especially forthe fish likes to lie near the surface of the water on wide leaves. It is recommended to keep at least one large bush of aquatic plants with dense, wide leaves that cover the surface of the water.

Aquarists and especially their children watch with enthusiasm how the Siamese algae eater feasts. Photos and videos of this fish eating algae have turned into a kind of meme on the Internet. Moreover, this amazing individual copes even with the most neglected green mud, which cannot be eliminated in other ways. The indefatigable worker seems to stick to the surface with his mouth and begins to "vacuum" it until he clears the algae.

Sometimes it can grab plaque from leaves or snags right on the fly, hovering slightly, but not sucking with its mouth. The sight is fascinating and funny, only a Siamese algae eater can do this.

Compatibility

The hero of the article is a peaceful fish, you can keep it both individually and in a small flock. The algae eater coexists perfectly in the same aquarium with its neighbors and does not harm them. But there is an important caveat: it is not recommended to keep it with veil fish. The developing fins may resemble aquatic plants and the algae eater will want to taste them. For example, slow-moving veiltails will not be able to protect their chic tail from this nimble lover to try everything that sways and trembles on the tooth. Although the algae eater is not inherently aggressive, keeping these species together can be problematic.

Swift "Siamese" sometimes cause problemsshy fish. For example, dwarf cichlids can be stressed due to their active movement. However, experienced aquarists have noticed one fact: in the presence of an algae eater, cichlids are more likely to spawn. Stress in this case encourages them to procreate. Some even use this technique to stimulate certain types of fish to spawn: they plant restless neighbors in the mother liquor for a while, and after the process of spawning and fertilization, they are planted.

Feeding

It is believed that the Siamese algae eater eats only algae, but this is not true. Many experienced aquarists even deliberately do not feed these fish, and then wonder why they start to get sick and die. Of course, algae are included in the diet, even occupy most of it, but still additional food is also required. In wildlife, the algae eats not only underwater greenery. Usually fry and juveniles have enough calories from algae, and grown-up individuals prefer live food.

In an aquarium, the "Siamese" will willingly eat spinach, zucchini and cucumbers, scalded with boiling water beforehand. Dried live food is also suitable - hamarus, daphnia. Even ordinary fish "chips" and flakes will not leave this fish indifferent.

Many inexperienced aquarists believe that if you feed the algae eater, he will not fulfill his main duties - to eat algae. In reality, the opposite is true! A weakened hungry fish with a disturbed metabolism will stop eating altogether, and then die very soon. Do not be afraidfeed this fish. The Siamese algae eater will not eat too much, and it will be even better to clean the aquarium on a full stomach.

Gender differences

The sex of these fish is extremely difficult to distinguish. In fry and young individuals, this task is generally impossible. In adults, the female is larger, with a rounded belly. Also, if you watch the fish, then the females are less active, they often lie on snags or leaves. Algae eaters, if they show aggression, are females. They are more nervous, they can drive away other fish from their corner with a delicacy. Males do not even defend their territory, like other types of fish.

Reproduction in nature

Siamese algae eater is a migratory fish. During the spawning season, which usually coincides with the dry season, members of the species migrate upstream in flocks. The water level drops sharply, the current weakens, which only plays into the hands of underwater inhabitants. Schools of fish cover considerable distances, reaching the spawning place. For spawning, backwaters are chosen, where the water level is higher. After the mating ritual, they come back.

Rising water levels help fry survive. Throwing the game in shallow water is not safe. Also, a sharp change in water parameters plays a role in their reproduction. These are the conditions required for the continuation of the Siamese algae-eaters.

Hormonal breeding

Algae eaters are not believed to breed in captivity. In fact, it is possible to achieve the appearance of offspring, but this is a laborious process. For this, they carry outspecial hormonal therapy. It is problematic to get drugs in free sale, a special permit is needed. You can try to get them through a familiar veterinarian who works at a fish complex or a fry farm.

However, hormones alone are indispensable. It is necessary to significantly change the parameters of water - to make it softer with neutral acidity. But even if all these conditions are met, it is not a fact that fish will spawn. In addition, such sudden changes in parameters can adversely affect the rest of the inhabitants of the aquarium. Therefore, for aquarists, the answer is obvious - breeding Siamese algae eaters in captivity is pointless. They are not very expensive. Easier to acquire new individuals as needed.