View Full Version : SAE 's, what are they?
rilander
04-21-2003, 5:36 PM
What are SAEs and what would be best for ridding my planted tank of beard algae. It seems to be forming primarily on the egeria and the java fern. It is a very dark green, almost black in colour. Thanks.
Hebdizzle
04-21-2003, 5:46 PM
SAE = siamese algae eaters
ChilDawg
04-21-2003, 5:50 PM
SAEs are Siamese Algae Eaters, as stated above. They are supposedly best for eating beard algae.
ScottoMacD
04-21-2003, 8:17 PM
SAE's only eat algae when young. When they start to grow the become a big hassle.
For one they eat everything but the algae unless you starve the tank, but how good is that for the rest of the fish?
Next they become extremely aggressive and will kill smaller fish and will take chunks out of larger fish.
They are definetly not community oriented fish.
I have a breard algae problem in my 20 gallon long. I bought two glass/ghost freshwater shrimp. They are cleaning the tank very nicely. It has only taken a couple of days and I have a noticable difference.
It works because the other inhabitants are only a couple of otos and some checkerboard barbs, Both species are not even mildly aggressive and stay quite small. In fact that shrimp are the same size as the largest male barb.
You can't put the shrimp in with anything remotely aggressive or large or they will get eaten. But if you have a peaceful community tank.. tetras etc. The shrimp will work great.
I must say that they are IMO also very interesting to watch.
JohnMemorialHS
04-21-2003, 11:16 PM
Originally posted by ScottoMacD
SAE's only eat algae when young. When they start to grow the become a big hassle.
I thought that applies to CAE, chinese algae eaters.
carpguy
04-21-2003, 11:23 PM
SAEs eat algae regularly throughout their lives, like to graze between meals, and are very mellow schooling fish that can live peacably with smaller fish.
CAEs don't really go for algae, especially as they age when they can get downright ornery and may start grazing on the slimecoats of other tankmates.
Flying Foxes, which look quite a bit like SAEs, don't really go for algae and will fight amongst themselves but aren't all that hostile towards other fish.
ScottoMacD
04-22-2003, 7:19 AM
Carpguy:
I stand corrected. Thank you.
I have both fish and seem to always get them confused. The CAE's really have done a number on my severums from time to time.
125gJoe
04-22-2003, 1:32 PM
http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
Here's a pic of my SAE's... They have been great at eating extra agae.
Look for a clear dorsal fin and the stripe must run 'thru' the tail, not stop at the tail, or most likely you will have a CAE.
http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL59/715239/1209351/23031772.jpg
Hey those are nice joe are they yours??? How big of a tank do you have them in they llok really nice.
125gJoe
04-22-2003, 1:39 PM
http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
I have an 80 gallon Discus tank.
My specs page gives more info if you like... :)
Those are some nice discus. Man how much you spend buying all those fish???
125gJoe
04-22-2003, 2:29 PM
Originally posted by GER1023
Those are some nice discus. Man how much you spend buying all those fish???
http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
(off the topic, but... around $20 to $35 each for the Discus.. ..all shipped alive and well -as expected- :) I forgot, but the "blues" may have cost slightly more at $35 ea.)