Chinese catfish What to do??

Eve · Post by **Eve** » 27 Mar 2003, 20:03

I thought I bought 2 siamese algae eaters when infact they are chinese algae eaters.When I got home and looked them up and i got the bad news.I was planning to put them in with my 3 balas and 5 congo tetras but I dont want an aggressive fish in with them.My tank is 75L gallons.What do you guys think should I bring them back?They are about an inch each.Thank you Eve

Post by **Silurus** » 27 Mar 2003, 20:05

Chinese algae eaters (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri) are not catfish. They are more closely related to carp.
I would return the fish to the store right away. They get really big and mean.

Post by **Dinyar** » 28 Mar 2003, 01:08

And they're not Chinese either. They're from Southeast Asia.

(If you DO see any real Chinese catfish in the US hobby, please let us know!)

Dinyar

Post by **Silurus** » 28 Mar 2003, 01:14

Actually, they are vaguely Chinese. Gyrinocheilus aymonieri is found as far north as the Lancangjiang (upper Mekong) drainage in southern China.

Ben · Post by **Ben** » 28 Mar 2003, 04:14

I would definately bring them back. They are often sold improperly. They have a really bad rep for latching onto other fish, and sucking their scales off. They get very agressive when older.

Post by **Dinyar** » 28 Mar 2003, 05:32

Silurus wrote:Actually, they are vaguely Chinese. Gyrinocheilus aymonieri is found as far north as the Lancangjiang (upper Mekong) drainage in southern China.

True, but their primary range is Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. If we must call them "algae eaters" (and it's certainly true that that's not a very accurate name), then "Siamese algae eater" would be more accurate than "Chinese algae eater".

Dinyar

Sid Guppy · Post by **Sid Guppy** » 28 Mar 2003, 10:18

unfortunately that name is now labelled on another fish from the same region that does a MUCH better job, and is indeed a true, peaceful algae-eater: Crossocheilus siamensis; the True SAE (Siamese Algae Eater).

Post by **Silurus** » 28 Mar 2003, 11:29

True, but their primary range is Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. If we must call them "algae eaters" (and it's certainly true that that's not a very accurate name), then "Siamese algae eater" would be more accurate than "Chinese algae eater".

So the pet store WAS right the first time. Ah, the things we do with common names.

BTW, the proper name of the SAE should be Crossocheilus oblongus.
Heh, being anal again

Jamnog · Post by **Jamnog** » 15 May 2003, 18:05

http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/ umm not shure if i did that link right but i got this weird looking fish that was told was a siamese and went looking about it ... i found that and think it is relevant. mine did not turn out to be any of the three of them. some one told me later it was an oto tho im not so shure as there are allot of them. im going to have to get a good camera before i can photo it and i dont have much money after i buy all my fish equiptment.