SAE's

[125gJoe]

http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif

The "Algae Crew" in formation... :D

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL59/715239/1209351/23031772.jpg

You've gotta love their "work."

[Matak]

Beautiful. :)

[wetmanNY]

That's a fine shot of the young 'uns, 80gJoe!

[somefinnfishy]

thought those were flying foxes?Any case brought 6 home last fri and have 2 big ones.Any one know any thing about a alge eater cant remenber there first name but their last name is ping ping.they have these cool little fangs.
BTW I'm jellous of your pics and digi cam.

[Faramir]

Those are SAEs. Black stripe extends into the caudal fin, and fins are otherwise clear. Flying Fox has pigmented fins.

[ChilDawg]

Garra pingi pingi: http://www.aquariacentral.com/species/db.cgi?db=fresh&uid=default&ID=0413&view_records=1

[valerie]

how big are they? I was suprised how big mine actually got. he is about 5" long and really fat around. He grew really quite fast too,I've had him about 1year and he was really tiny when i bought him.

[somefinnfishy]

Originally posted by ChilDawg
Garra pingi pingi: http://www.aquariacentral.com/species/db.cgi?db=fresh&uid=default&ID=0413&view_records=1
You know I bought 10 for 15dollars as fry mislabeled as flying foxes:rolleyes:so small. Now I'm happy to see they cost like $15 each;)

[Molino]

Nice picture Joe. I have two SAEs myself, they're a lot of fun to watch always following each other around.

[125gJoe]

http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
Thanks all... They are so good at cleaning out the algae. They are hard to find here.

[jiggerpolebill]

i have 5 of these myself and theyre some of my favorites. they have excellent coloration and are fun to watch.

[Matak]

I got a pair at Big Als and researched it at The Krib (http://www.thekrib.com/) before I did. Absolutely luv em'!

Joe, do you miss the occasional day of feeding to keep them trained on cleaning? I find it helps with mine.

Wetman, is the jury still out on why SAE's barbells do or don't grow? Is it due to sharp substrate or is it a bacteria thing?

[ScottoMacD]

80gJoe:

How do you find their temperment?

I have always found them to be nasty little buggers.

Yes they do a great job on the algae when young, but once they get older they never touch the stuff. At least in my experience.

In fact they eat anything but algae.

Not only that. A couple of times I have found round bite marks on some of my bigger fish especially on my severums.

That is usually about the time they go for the long swim in the 9.5 "synspilum and 7.5" male JD tank.

[125gJoe]

http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
Matak, I'll keep that in mind as I haven't had a 'crew' of these in awhile.. Good tip. Thanks.

ScottoMacD, I hope you are referring to CAE's (Chinese) rather than SAE's. I know the Chinese Algae "Eaters" don't eat much algae. I had an adult CAE turn pretty aggressive in the past.

[TomFromStLouis]

that is an awesome picture - best I have ever seen of SAEs. I t really reinforces their schooling tendencies. Thanks for sharing it.

I count 8 for an 80 gallon tank - whatcha gonna do when they grow?

[125gJoe]

http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
Tom, thanks...

I have 2 LFS's nearby - well, 3, but the 3rd will never get any 'donated' fish or plants from me. That store needs a clean-up! I have donated plants and fish in the past and look for the best places. :)

[ScottoMacD]

ScottoMacD, I hope you are referring to CAE's (Chinese) rather than SAE's. I know the Chinese Algae "Eaters" don't eat much algae. I had an adult CAE turn pretty aggressive in the past. [/B]

No... it was the SAE's that I have had the problems with. I also have had some bad CAE's the odd time, but not to the extent of the SAE's.

Mean little SOB's.

[ChilDawg]

It isn't extremely surprising that they would school when young but become "mean little SOBs." They are Epalzeorhynchos siamensis by Latin name, and, one of the meanest small fish in the aquarium, the RTBS, is also an Epalzeorhynchos species, E. bicolor, to be exact.

Since that is the pattern for the RTBS, I would expect that ScottoMacD's comments would be correct, and this would explain the peaceful schooling of the SAEs at this point, but heed the warnings: they get much worse!

[Faramir]

The SAE has been reclassified as Crossocheilus.

It is generally reckoned to be peaceful. However, there are a lot of fish that look like SAEs and aren't - various species of Epalzeorhynchus and Garra. These may not be peaceful and as they are sold as SAEs may be getting the SAE a bad name.

[ChilDawg]

As almost always, Faramir, you are correct with that...I forgot about the renaming! I guess it comes down to ID'ing the fish you buy under the SAE umbrella very carefully.