How big does Siamese Algae Eater get?

Siamese Algae Eater reaches an adult standard length of 10–15 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.

What water does Siamese Algae Eater need?

24–28 °C, pH 6.5–7.5, 2–15 dGH. That is only 4 °C wide, so stability matters more than hitting a particular number.

What is the smallest tank for Siamese Algae Eater?

At least 100 L, and no shorter than 80 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is not a schooling fish, so a single specimen or a pair is fine.

What is Siamese Algae Eater like to keep?

Temperament: peaceful. Difficulty: beginner. It occupies the bottom and is herbivore. With plants it is "Leaves plants alone".

Can Siamese Algae Eater be kept with its most common tank mate?

The checker returns "Not recommended together". Siamese Algae Eater and Flying Fox is a recorded conflict in this atlas. Predation, territorial fighting or conspecific aggression is the usual outcome, and a bigger tank does not change it.

G-01 / 39Freshwater

Siamese Algae Eater黑线飞狐

Crossocheilus oblongus · Cyprinidae

One of the few fish that actually eats black beard algae; at 15 cm, look for the black stripe running into the tail.

Illustration to come

G-01 / 39 · Siamese Algae Eater Crossocheilus oblongus

SpecificationsFish atlas

Name: 黑线飞狐
Scientific name: Crossocheilus oblongus
Family: Cyprinidae
Origin: Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo)
Adult size: 10–15 cm
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Herbivore
Water level: Bottom
Level: Beginner
Min. tank: 100 L
Min. length: 80 cm
Plant safe: Leaves plants alone

Water requirementsFreshwater

Temp.24–28 °C

pH6.5–7.5

Hardness2–15 dGH

Units: temperature in °C, hardness in German degrees (dGH / dKH), marine salinity as specific gravity at 25 °C, volume in litres. These are the values recorded for the species and do not follow the site unit switcher.

Keeping notes

1One of the few fish that eats black beard algae, though adults switch to prepared food, so ration it to keep them grazing.
2Often confused with other Crossocheilus species; look for the black stripe that runs all the way into the tail.
3At 15 cm and very active it needs an 80 cm tank; three to five together do more against algae.
4Peaceful but takes shrimplets, so expect losses when kept with small shrimp.
5Fine at 24-28 °C in neutral water, tolerating slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions.

Check a tank mate

Jump straight to the verdict for Siamese Algae Eater against this one — no need to pick it again.

Recorded conflictFlying FoxEpalzeorhynchos kallopterus→

Frequently asked questions

How big does Siamese Algae Eater get?: Siamese Algae Eater reaches an adult standard length of 10–15 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.
What water does Siamese Algae Eater need?: 24–28 °C, pH 6.5–7.5, 2–15 dGH. That is only 4 °C wide, so stability matters more than hitting a particular number.
What is the smallest tank for Siamese Algae Eater?: At least 100 L, and no shorter than 80 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is not a schooling fish, so a single specimen or a pair is fine.
What is Siamese Algae Eater like to keep?: Temperament: peaceful. Difficulty: beginner. It occupies the bottom and is herbivore. With plants it is "Leaves plants alone".
Can Siamese Algae Eater be kept with its most common tank mate?: The checker returns "Not recommended together". Siamese Algae Eater and Flying Fox is a recorded conflict in this atlas. Predation, territorial fighting or conspecific aggression is the usual outcome, and a bigger tank does not change it.