Value of SAE in a planted tank?

[The Gipper]

I am wondering what your opinions are on the value of SAE (Siamensis) in a planted tank. A few years back they were touted as great algae eaters(true Siamensis that is), but my experience is that they seem to eat as much or more fish food than algae. I am only interested in putting them in my new plant tank if they will help with the algae. Otherwise I don't care for them behavior-wise or color-wise.

What do you think? Are they worth having or are there better algae control critters.

[Matak]

I will be watching this thread closely as I have put in an order for one at my LFS. I even printed out a two page document from The Krib (http://www.thekrib.com/) (with sketches) to make sure they get true SAE's

[Godslayer]

I have an SAE in a 10G and I have never seen him "tearing off sheets of algae" as some people seem to claim. I do however see him going over the plants routinely. He is very active and I feed very sparingly so he needs to be eating something. I only have some mild green spot algae. He does enjoy fish food though :)

Bob

[djlen]

I'm very happy with my SAEs. They do eat fish food as well, but that has not stopped them from constantly working over the algae in the swords etc. I combine them with Otos which are a non-stop algae eater and don't(atleast that I've seen) eat any fishfood other than algae wafers on occasion. Otos will really do a great job on your plants and especially the glass, but don't eat certain types of algae that the SAEs will. I'd combine the two.
BTW, I've never seen any behavior that would cause me any concern and I have them in with angels and cardinals!!

Matak, I did exactly the same thing with the article from the Krib and my LFS owner asked me if he could have a copy to make sure he always ordered the right kind.
Len

[aljen]

SAE are just OK for algae. However, they won't eat meaty foods such as worms and brine shrimp. Therefore, they must be subsisting on vegetable matter, including algae. They can grow to 4" or more. They are not compatible with redtail or rainbow sharks.

Small plecos (chaetostoma or peckoltia, for example) are better for algae control. These have more interesting coloration, too. But, they cost more.

[TwoTankAmin]

I have 9 SAEs and 9 planted tanks. When they get bigger you have to withhold food to get them to eat algae aggressively. They are they only way besides bleach and copper to get rid of black brush algae.

I move mine around in my tanks according to where I have the greatest need. Mine gobble blood worms, brine and even mysis given the chance.

Right now I have 7 ranging in size from 2.5 - 4+ inches in a planted 50. They were put in to remove a bba infestation, which they have just about done. Most will get a stint in the 75 next because I managed to move the bba over there :-(

Here they are in the 50 before the bba was cleaned up- I think they look great http://home.att.net/~c.leighton/wsb/media/39037/site1084.jpg

[Orbitorly]

I never liked SAEs, they don't eat the algae, and they torment my other fish.

[Richer]

Contary to what Orbitorly has said, my SAEs are great fish. Not sure if they really eat algae as people have claimed, but I have seen them clean up anubias leaves partially covered in BBG (which I got cheap from a LFS). No other algae eater I know of (cept maybe C. japonica shrimp) eats BBG. My SAEs have never bothered any of my fish, whether they are slower less agile fish (ie. angels) or faster more agile fish (ie. congos).
However, it has been observed that as these fish grow up they tend to enjoy fishfood more than algae. They are best at algae eating when they are small. As they grow up, they will still eat algae, but will prefer fishfood given the chance. Don't overfeed your tank, and that shouldn't be a problem.

HTH
-Richer

[Occult]

Just one thing I'd like to add for those having problems with their SAE's. Make sure that they are not chinese alage eaters(CAE) instead. Unlike they sae, cae get really lazy at algae eating when they grow up, and adult cae's can become agressive towards other fish. Fish stores have this nasty habit as selling them as algae eaters.

[Ken91gsx]

SAE are that only fish I see tearing off pieces of BBA in my tank. They are a excellent fish for a community tank since they are peaceful towards other smaller fish like neons.
If your SAE bothers other fish than you have yourself a Flying Fox or a false SAE not a SAE. SAE are not aggressive or territorial toward others.

[slipknottin]

Originally posted by Orbitorly
I never liked SAEs, they don't eat the algae, and they torment my other fish.

those are CAEs