flotus48

I recently added 3 gold chinese algae eaters to my 55 gal tank. I thing the LFS misinformed me about their temperment. It seems they can become agressive as they mature, not something I need in my peaceful tank. Right now they seem to get along with the zebras, mollies and plattys. I was wondering if anyone else has any info to share with me on these fish. They are a blast to watch!

peacemaker92

As your LFS said, they REALLY get aggressive when they mature. You can keep them now, but when they grow bigger, it's best to give them away to save your other fish. I agree that they are very interesting to watch, especially in big numbers. haha

gremlin

I disagree that they automatically become aggressive as they mature. As long as their needs are met, they will stay fairly peaceful and leave your other fish alone. They do prefer a meatier diet as they get older, so feed them a sinking tablet designed for omnivores or carnivores. I use the one designed for cory cats. They will also need at least two hidey holes per CAE, so with three of them, I would suggest at least 6-7 caves or hollow logs or ledges that they can hide in or under. They will each eat at least 2 of the pellets each night when they get older. They also like the shrimp pellets although not as much as the tablets. I have not had any problem with mine. I had three in my pond all last summer and brought them in last winter (it was too cold outside for them). This spring my gold - color changing one went back in my pond and the two normal colored ones went to my sister's pond (700 gallons and filled with algae). Her algae has been cut down by over half since the two cae's went over this spring.

Basically, as long as they have enough room to claim as their own and are fed enough, they will leave your other fish alone.

flotus48

Gremlin I have three in a 55 gal tank. I read about supplementing their diet with algae wafers so I got some. Ha Ha I dropped in a few and within minuets the whole tank were snacking on them. Right now my GAE's are small and they only seem to chase each other around. One takes a turn chasing a zebra but the zebra will chase him back. Thay haven't bothered any one else .. yet but I will keep an eye on them.

gunner13

Why don't you try true flying fox's instead of algae eaters, they r identical to look at but not aggresive in my experience.... Good luck.

paul the shark lover

oh gawd. CAES get huge like 11 inches they become tanks! as gremlin said provide plenty of hiding places for em. when i gave my 2 to my friend he didnt give them hiding places and his bigger fish ate the 2 CAES. oh well atleast their in a better place in the big fish tank in heaven thats over 2 trillion gallons so every dead fish can live in peace and harmony in it.

Hillie

Hi. Our LFS told us we could have two in our tank, so two we bought. However, after a year or so one of them had grown four times the size as the second. Friends of ours got a tank a few months ago and once fully cycled, we gave them the smaller of the two for their tank. Our one is now about 6" long and "Chinky" now lives happily down the road and has more than doubled in size since having his "own" tank. We think Chinky was possibly being bullied by the larger one (they were identical sizes when purchased). Our one is fairly aggressive towards our Pleco if they happen to decide to settle in the same area. Pleco gets chased away, even though he is bigger!

Lucy

Hi Hillie welcome to FishLore
Great info, but please be sure to check the dates on the threads.
This one is pretty old, I'm sure the situation has been resolved.

Thanks and enjoy the forum!

Hillie

aw Sorry Lucy. I thought this was such a great site, I was cruising around and saw this thread. Thanks for your advice, I will look at new posts from now on! thanks! Hils

children11

I thought aglea eaters grow big and you should only have 1 for a 55 gallon tank? I have 1Hi-Fin Leopard Plecostomus for my 72 gallon tank. Can I get another one?

Bernice