Chinese Algae Eater

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by johnarthur on Apr 22

Chinese Algae Eater
Creative Commons License courtesy of danidantje

The latest issue of Aquarium Fish International had some interesting things to say about Chinese Algae Eaters. First is they are not from China, and second is the adults do not eat algae. In fact, the adults become aggressive and feed off the protective slime coats of their tank mates. That’s why a community aquarium can wind up with multiple deaths and one Chinese Algae Eater.

BTW, don’t confuse it with the gentle flying fox, which eats algea throughout their entire life, or the Otocinclus which is smaller.

Flying Fox

Taking a break.
Creative Commons License courtesy of threefingeredlord

Otocinclus

oto4
Creative Commons License courtesy of Whisper Photography

3 Responses to Chinese Algae Eater

Michelle responded:
I wonder how it came by its completely false name… there is probably a very interesting story behind that
johnarthur responded:
From what I read, they originate in Asia (thus the Chinese misnomer) and the fry do eat some types of algae. The name is probably all about marketing.
mone13 responded:
i almost brought a 10cm Chinese algea eater well counting my blessing i didn’t .