Siamese algae eater - care and maintenance in the aquarium

Siamese algae-eater means an insatiable and medium-sized aquarium cleaner. In addition to these representatives, there is also a Siamese shining fox (false algae eater). Many people, especially inexperienced aquarists, confuse members of this family. In fact, there are certain aspects that will help distinguish algae eater from similar individuals. Let's analyze all the subtleties, as well as affect the requirements for maintenance and care.

Important information

Judging generally, the Siamese algae eaters sold in the store are mostly genuine. However, unscrupulous or inexperienced sellers, aquarists add false Siamese representatives to the present. Then there are difficulties with the choice, but these fish differ from each other.

Firstly, the true representatives of this family have a black stripe that extends along the body and necessarily continues on the tail. As for the false fish, they have a caudal fin without a strip.

Secondly, if you have a genuine Siamese algae eater, then his line will go in a zigzag with uneven edges.

Thirdly, false pedigree representatives have a mouth resembling a pink ring.

Fourth, genuine fish have one pair of whiskers, which is barely noticeable, black. As for the false representatives, they have a mustache of 2 pairs.

Naturally, the question is brewing - what is the difference and why choose a true representative of the family? False fish is aggressive, practically does not eat algae, has a different temperament and features of care. While Siamese algae eaters are relatively peace-loving, they are suitable for keeping in a large and populated aquarium.

It is difficult to determine for sure what gender the individual in front of you belongs to. It is believed that females have a more rounded abdominal region, and males are downed.

Habitat

It lives in Thailand, Indonesia, Asia. Prefers streams and fast flowing rivers with a dense and hard bottom. It is desirable that the aquarium environment is similar to a biotope, that is, it concentrates gravel and sand at the bottom, as well as cobblestones, roots and driftwood. Since the presented fish feed on algae, they need clear water with thickets. Then algae eaters will feel good and multiply. At certain times of the year, these fish migrate and pass into muddy water sources with sufficient depth.

Content

1. Fish grow up to 12-15 cm. With an average life expectancy of 10 years. It is necessary to keep the inhabitants in a simple aquatic environment. A couple of individuals relies 100-200 liters. water. Siamese fish get used to water changes, so there will be no difficulties with care.
2. The best content option is considered to be an imitation of the environment in which fish lives in nature. As a litter choose soil consisting of sand and pebbles. Set driftwood, clay castles, various grottoes. With all this, it is necessary to provide enough space for swimming and to plant plants with wide foliage.
3. Fish contain at a temperature of 23-26 degrees. Particular attention is paid to the acid-base environment, which should not go beyond the boundaries of 5.5-7.5 pH. Stiffness requires 5-20 units.
4. Fish is jumping in nature, therefore it is necessary to cover the aquarium with a glass lid. As a similar option, send floating species to the aquarium so that they cover the surface of the water.
5. If balanced algae eater is provided, the fish will not destroy vegetation.But if dietary fiber and fiber in particular are absent in the diet, then the Siamese will begin to eat duckweed, moss, and hyacinth.
6. As for breeding, algae eaters are those types of fish that do not breed under aquarium conditions. Those specimens sold in the store were farmed or fished in their natural habitat. Therefore, there is no reliable information on how spawning is carried out.

Feeding

1. Representatives considered are herbivores. In the wild, such fish feed exclusively on phytoplankton and algae. Therefore, under the conditions in the aquarium, the presented individuals should be fed with similar products.
2. Often manufacturers offer feeds that are presented in granules or flakes. In addition, fish can be additionally fed with herbs and vegetables. They eat zucchini, cucumbers, spinach, dandelions, apples and blanched peas.
3. Such products are enough to chop finely and pour over boiling water. Peas and zucchini are recommended to be boiled in advance. An additional source of food or as a treat can be algae, which grow in the aquarium on snags or stones.
4. Some representatives of the species can feed on the leaves of other plants. It does not have to be algae. If you do not want vegetation to constantly suffer in the aquarium, it is recommended that you thoroughly approach the arrangement of a dwelling for fish. Siamese can eat plants only at a young age. Over time, this goes away.
5. If you provide proper and balanced nutrition for algae eaters, they will not conflict with other inhabitants of the aquarium. If the individuals in question do not grab the dietary fiber contained in the vegetables, the fish will begin to damage the plants.
6. Often such algae is not intended for food. Among the ornamental plants for the aquarium, duckweed, Javanese and Christmas moss, water hyacinth can be distinguished.

Compatibility

1. Siamese differ from most fish in a calm nature. Therefore, such individuals can be kept without problems with non-aggressive representatives of the water world. The only condition is that neighbors need to be rescued with a similar size.
2. When a flock of Siamese lives in an aquarium, there is always a stronger individual who is the leader. Keep in mind that at least 8 fish should be kept in one family. If individuals are kept in smaller numbers, then stronger relatives will offend a weak representative of the species.
3. Such fish get along well with scalars, a flock of Sumatran barbs and girinoheylusy. Keep in mind that in one aquarium it is recommended to keep no more than 2-3 male algae eaters. The problem is that such individuals will constantly fight for leadership.
4. Siamese are small fish, but their size and excessive activity do not interfere with playing with larger individuals, such as cichlids. Keep in mind that this increases the risk that one of the individuals can be severely damaged during the conflict. That is why Siamese is recommended to be kept in a separate aquarium.

It is important to know that the fish in question do not breed in captivity. There has never been a successful breeding of algae eaters in an aquarium. In order for the fish to feel as comfortable as possible, it is necessary to provide the Siamese with proper living conditions. Also take care of a quality and balanced diet.

Video: aquarium fish siamese algae eater