Chinese algae eater care

Water temperature

74–80°F

Keep chinese algae eaters at 74–80°F with a pH of 6–8, in a tank of at least 75 gallons. Good tank mates include oscars, tiger barbs, kissing gouramis.

Turns mean with age and sucks the slime off flat, slow fish.

Gyrinocheilus aymonieri

pH

6–8

Minimum tank

75 gal

Adult size

10.0 in

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

Group

Alone or in pairs

Lifespan

10–15 years

Swims at

Bottom

Diet

Herbivore

Best tank mates

• OscarYes
• Tiger barbYes
• Kissing gouramiYes
• Congo tetraYes
• Blue gouramiYes
• Bala sharkYes
• Cherry barbYes
• SeverumYes
• Paradise fishYes
• CorydorasYes
• Kuhli loachYes
• Tinfoil barbYes

Full chinese algae eater tank mate chart: 43 yes, 47 with care, 8 no

Chinese algae eater water compared

Fish to keep away from chinese algae eaters

• Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); chinese algae eaters need 74–80°F. No temperature suits both.
• Angelfish Chinese algae eaters sometimes latch on to slow, flat fish like angelfish and rasp their slime coat.
• Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); chinese algae eaters need 74–80°F. They meet only at 74°F, the edge of both ranges.
• Koi Koi are coldwater animals (59–77°F); chinese algae eaters need 74–80°F. They overlap only at 74–77°F, the edge of both ranges.
• Silver arowana An adult silver arowana eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 10 inches chinese algae eaters do.
• Discus No shared temperature. Discus need 82–88°F, chinese algae eaters need 74–80°F.
• White cloud minnow White cloud minnows are coldwater animals (60–72°F); chinese algae eaters need 74–80°F. No temperature suits both.
• Fancy goldfish Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); chinese algae eaters need 74–80°F. They meet only at 74°F, the edge of both ranges.

More barbs, danios, rasboras and sharks

• Goldfish60–74°F
• Koi59–77°F
• Tiger barb72–81°F
• Red tail shark72–79°F
• Rainbow shark72–80°F
• Bala shark72–82°F
• Celestial pearl danio72–79°F
• Zebra danio65–77°F