Chinese Algae Eater Scientific Name
Gyrinocheilus aymonieri

Chinese Algae Eater Family
They belong to the Family Gyrinocheilidae in the order Cypriniformes

Chinese Algae Eater Origin
This fish is native to India and Thailand

Chinese Algae Eater Overview
The Chinese Algae Eater do not have the typical aquarium fish shape but has a cylinder shape tapering down to the tail. The color range is white to gold for some, or there is the all gold variety. They hold on or attach themselves to ornaments or plants in the aquarium.

Chinese Algae Eater Adult Size
These fish can grow to be 11 inches long, but average size fish are around 6 inches long.

Chinese Algae Eater Life Span
These fish, given the right environment can live up to 5 years or more.

Chinese Algae Eater Compatible Tankmates
Chinese Algae Eaters are better suited in cichlid tanks or with lively barbs as the algae eater. Its companions should be robust enough to tolerate its nature which is often boisterous. In a community aquarium, they have to have their own hiding place. They are known to cooperate with three spot gouramies, angel fish, betas and some cichlids.

Social: Community Vs. semi-aggressive Vs. Aggressive
This fish are peaceful when they are still young but can become aggressive as they grow older. They will try to suck mucus out of the sides of deep bodied fish like gouramies. They may terrorize other aquarium inhabitants.

Chinese Algae Eater Breeding: Egglayer vs. Livebearer
There is not much information about the sexing and breeding of this fish. Accidental breeding has occurred to the surprise of aquarists, but it has not been documented nor replicated successfully. The fish for sale by suppliers are those that are caught in the wild.

Chinese Algae Eater Care
This fish needs a larger community tank filled with rocks and bogwood where they can hide.

Chinese Algae Eater Diet
They are omnivorous and adults will eat most aquarium foods like flake food that sink to the bottom and other bottom feeder pellets. When they are young, they are good algae eaters, but they develop the taste for other foods when they mature.

Chinese Algae Eater Tank Size
You will need at least a 30 gallon aquarium tank.

Chinese Algae Eater pH
The water pH level should be 6.0 to 8.

Chinese Algae Water Hardness
The water hardness should be 5 to 20 dGH.

Chinese Algae Eater Water Temperature
The temperature should be 72 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit or 22 to 27 degrees Celsius.