Siamese Algae Eater Creature Companion

1. Siamese Algae Eater Creature Companion Siamese algae eaters can be slightly larger than most freshwater tropical fish species you will find in a variety of tanks. These bottom-loving fish can grow up to about 6 inches (16 cm) and sometimes a bit longer. Fish owners should plan to have a tank that is at least 30 gallons in size for the best overall results when caring for this fish. This will give them a place to swim comfortably and a place to hide when they need space. Species overview Siamese algae eaters (Crossocheilus siamensis or crossocheilus oblongus) are freshwater inhabitants of the carp family of fish species called Cyprinidae. This tropical fish species are naturally found in mainland Southeast Asia in places such as Thailand and is a bottom-dweller. They can be found on the Malay Peninsula and in the basins of the Mekong and Chao Phraya. Siamese algae eaters prefer their natural habitat to the living environment of rivers and streams. They can also often be found in the flooded forest areas of this geographic region during the rainy season.

2. Benefits of adding them to your tank As their descriptive name implies, Siamese algae eaters (or "psi" for short) feed on naturally growing algae found in their native habitat. For this reason alone, these peaceful fish are great for preventing fast-growing algae from taking up aquarium space over time (they're like Amano shrimp in this way). While many fish experts recommend a little algae growth to maintain proper feeding and ecosystem balance inside your tank, too much of it can be harmful to the fish and other water creatures that live there. Adding Siamese algae eaters to an aquarium helps to control the types of algae growth and maintain the good health of the aquarium essential to the well-being of each occupant inside the tank. This cloud also clogs the aquarium water (which never looks good). What do they look like? Siamese algae eaters are slender and elongated fish that are brownish-beige in color. This fish species can be recognized by a bold black stripe that runs the entire length of the body, from nose to tail, with an eye-catching stripe line on each side. This stripe fades against the background features of the water which help the fish to camouflage, or hide, from their natural predators in the wild. The telltale black stripe runs almost entirely to the tip of the fish's clear caudal fin which contains the whiskers some people call rostral barbels. Side by side, the central part of the female Siamese algae-eating fish is somewhat thinner and smoother than the elongated male fish. Another appearance detail is that these fish do not have the typical "swim bladder" common in most fish. If these fish are not in constant motion, they will quickly sink to the bottom of a tank or other water habitat.