Photo: Chiroptera man, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Siamese algae eater
Crossocheilus langei
15 cm
Adult size
400 L
Minimum volume
3
Minimum group
12 years
Lifespan
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Crossocheilus
- Diet
- omnivore, herbivore, algae eater
- Social life
- small group
In the wild
Overview
It belongs to a small group of almost identical species sold as the “Siamese algae eater” or “Crossocheilus siamensis”, a name that actually refers to another species. The genus is named after the fringed barbels on its upper lip.
- Scientific name
- Crossocheilus langei Bleeker, 1860
- Classification
- Cypriniformes › Cyprinidae
- IUCN Red List
- Data deficient (DD)
Natural habitat
Borneo, Sumatra, Malay Peninsula, southern and western Thailand, perhaps southern Myanmar
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
It lives in flowing streams and tributaries with a bottom of rocks, pebbles and sand, often near submerged wood. The clear, shallow water lets a rich biofilm grow, which it grazes. It is thought to move with the seasons into deeper, murkier water.
Behaviour
Peaceful, it lives with most common species, ideally river fish from Southeast Asia. It is famous for eating black beard algae (red algae), which are hard to get rid of otherwise, and this has made it a much sought-after fish for planted tanks. It must also be given a varied diet.
Sources:FishBase Seriously Fish GBIF · Base map: Natural Earth