Siamese Algae Eaters

Aquabum

Always B itchin
Nov 27, 2004
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Hi,

I'm new to the Aquaria Central Forum. I have been reading most of your threads and I have to say that this is the most informative site that I've ever been to.

I've learned a lot in the past several months and thanks to your advice, I have been able to resolve many problems that I have had in the past with my aquariums.

I quit having aquarium fish a long time ago because I couldn't understand why my fish were always dying, or why I couldn't have as many fish as I wanted. I was very ignorant about water changes and the advice from the LFS was always vague. I was never able to keep my fish alive for more than a month, when suddenly, they would kick the bucket. You wouldn't believe the money I have spent on this hobby. I've always enjoyed watching fish at night when I needed to relax. It's such a soothing experience when you're stressed out.

But after so many years, I decided (in June 2004) to re-kindle my passion for a nice aquarium, but this time, with the Internet, I had a whole world of information right at my fingertips. That's when I found your site and found out that I could actually have living plants in my aquarium. Boy, you can't believe how much I wanted to try it. And I did. I LOVE IT!

I've made many mistakes and I'm still learning thru your site. Right now I'm having a bit of an algae problem and after much searching, (I'm from Brooklyn), I was excited to find a place in Manhattan (NEW YORK) where they sell the elusive SAE's. This store carries Ammano, Cherry, and Bumblee shrimps. They also have a variety of beautiful plants and other great looking fish. I'm in LOVE Again.

The Store is called Pacific Aquarium & Plant, Inc. and is located at 46 Delancey Street, New York, NY 10002. Phone: 212-995-5895.

I'm running to this store to get myself 2 SAE's and a Phosphate Kit. For those of you who are looking for SAE's and live in New York, I hope that this news helps.

Lissette
 
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My LFS had a tank of them too, labeled as Flying fox. I went by there today and they have a new shipment of them and now they're labeled as "algae eating sharks". Wish they had them before I bought mine from Arizona :(.
 
My LFS had a tank of them too, labeled as Flying fox.

There is a difference, and you have to know what to look for because true SAE's look a lot like Flying Foxes. Flying Foxes do not eat algae, though.

True SAE's have a black stripe that runs all the way to the back end of their tail, Flying Foxes have one that stops at the tail.
 
Hi,

I've browsed thru many sites on the web regarding the true SAE's. I know what to look for (at least that's what I hope)...Long stripe (sort of jagged not smooth) from head to tail, clear fins (no markings of any kind), 2 barbels, no suckermouth, the ability to rest on its fins rather than on its belly, and that they aren't aggressive. I would like peaceful tankmates, especially for my plants. If I'm wrong, please tell me so. I appreciate all the help I can get.

The SAE's will be housed with 4 guppies, 2 khuli loaches and an ammano shrimp (I had 2 cherry shrimps that died on me :( , but the ammano is doing quite well) in a 20 gallon long planted tank.

The LFS that I mentioned before has a beautiful planted tank with riccia, java moss and baby tear plants with a few fish and shrimps on display. One of them was the SAE. It certainly looked like the real thing. They seemed to get along very well with their tankmates.

I hope that when I get them home that they'll turn out to be the true SAE's.;)

Lissette
 
Lissette - I have been keeping SAEs for years now and for the most part, they are fine in a community tank. I have had cases of aggressive ones, especially as they get older and larger. I have an agreement with my LFS and 'trade in' the infidels when necessary.
They have a very soft mouth and can do very little damage, but are very fast and can 'worry' some fish to death when they charge at them. I've seen the most problems between them and Corys.
BTW, I also have old, large ones that are just fine and get along with all other tank-mates.:)
Just keep an eye on them.
[Edit] I also have one in a 10 gallon that is constantly brow beaten by a female Black Mollie.......go figure.

Len
 
Thanks Djlen for the advice. I'll certainly look out for any aggressive behavior. I guess like everything else in this world, fish can also have their own personalities. ;)

I hope that my local LFS will take them if their aggressive.

Wish me luck.

Lissette
 
These were sae's. Had the black stripe all the way through the tail. Also the area above the stripe on the flying fox tends to be more yellow but with the sae's it's the same color as the area beneath the stripe. I just think it's funny how they now have them labeled as algae eating sharks and they've still got it all wrong. lol
 
I know what you mean Wrench. It's happened to me a few times with other fish.

What a bummer. When I called the LFS today, they said that they have their SAE's on back order for who knows how long. :eek: Now I have to wait, which I can't stand. I'm the type of person that's wants everything right NOW.

Oh Well.

Lissette
 
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