I have a friend with a 20 gallon tank that has only one Chinese algae eater in it. She is new to fish and didn't know it would grow up and eat her other fish.
I have never had a Chinese algae eater so I don't know how to advise her... she wanted to know what she could get for her tank that it will not eat. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Whether or not the CAE will attack other fish depends on its temperament. I've had one for five years that has never killed another fish, but at the same time I've heard horror stories about CAEs being aggressive.
This one killed the other fish in the tank. I asked her if she wanted to trade it into the pet store for a store credit, but she says her sons are too attached to it. They named it "Armstrong".
I think it may have been a carnival goldfish. You know, kids get the goldfish then mom has to figure out how to take care of it, and the fish store employee sells them an algae eater to "clean" the tank. I doubt they want multiple tanks in their house, so if no one has any suggestions on fish that can coexist with Chinese algae eaters she will probably just keep it as is.
I have a Chinese Hillsteam Loach (Chinese Algae eater). I had it for quite a while now. When you first purchase it, it should be shy and won't eat much of the food you give it...it will only eat a bit of algae. (It doesn't eat much algae.....some of the CHL) But if it gets used to the tank it will start eating. My CHL only started eating the food I gave it 3 weeks after I bought it. It waits on a rock and when a bit of flake falls on the gravel or rock it slides towards it and gobbles it up! Just give it some time. By the way whats the temperature of the water? The CHL actually comes from China's streams and is use to cold water although it can still live in warmer waters. I heard that some live at about 18~22 degrees. By the way personally I don't think CHL are good when tackling algae. It doesn't seem to eat much of it. I prefer Bristlenoses or the Flying fox.
P.S: I have never seen my CHL attack or even push another fish. And it doesn't grow TOO big so...yeah...I thought it was very friendly although I have heard stories about it being bad. :huh:
I have 2 CAE in two separate tanks. They never bothered any of the other fish in either of the tanks. If yours is aggressive, you might want to look into an aggressive fish, like a shark. My one CAE actually snuggles-up with my black shark in his little home. A rainbow or albino shark might be a good choice and they are beautiful fish.
It's actually not my fish. I can't answer the water temperature question since it isn't my tank, but there is no problem with the fish being shy or not eating. This is a full-grown, healthy fish that my friend has owned for a while. I am asking what kind of tank mates it will be compatible with.
Do they do well with additional Chinese algae eaters (or hillstream loach, whichever name you prefer)? What about other types of loaches?
