Jim

OMG, I almost forgot to tell you guys. I went to a store near here, and when I was looking at the fish I saw a tank with what was labled "Flying Foxes". Guys, I've done WAY too much research on the difference between a Flying Fox, chinese Algea Eater, and a true Siamese Algea Eater. These were true Siamese Algea eaters, and the people didn't have a clue!!!!
These had no gold stripe above the black stripe, only 2 barbels, ragged black along the back hi-lighting the scales, no additional color on the dorsal fin, and best yet, they're behaviour was right. They were peacefully schooling (flying foxes are solitary and mean) and definitly most of all one was resting on a rock gently on is pectoral fins; a dead giveaway!
I have to say, i did a good job of not hyper-ventilating when I saw they were only $2.00 each, and he had 6 left! Needless to say I bought all of them on the spot. I already had 1, so now I have the magnificant 7!!

Oh, and when they settle down I'll get some pics so you guys can see what a real siamese looks like compared to a chinese.

Narcicius

Wow amazing find. Ill take three. $2.00 right?

Jim

I'm seriously wondering now if they can be bred in a tank! I could make a killing!

Narcicius

like I said I'll take three.

Jim

Oh, this is just too good. I was reading more about these little guys when I ran across this discription:
C. siamensis has a peculiar resting position: it doesn't lie flat on its belly but keeps its body propped up with its tail, pelvic and pectoral fins. Young fish sometimes rest on broad leaves, adult specimens prefer resting on bottom or dense, low plants like Cryptocorynes.
I swear to god I looked over at my tank, and what did I see??
Well, see for yourselves:

1 Siamese Algea Eater:


2 Siamese Algea Eaters:


3 Siamese Algea Eaters:


Oh, and just to be specific, the red leaves they're resting on are Wendtii Cryptocorynes.
How cool is this??

Lucy

Wow Jim,
Really great pictures. Thanks for sharing them.
They are really cute fish.

Butterfly

WOW! Thats quite a find! congrats
Carol

COBettaCouple

Very cool find!

Jim

Actually, the first pic is probably the best pic I've seen online anywhere for identifying a true SAE, both in appearance and behavour (pat myself on the back). I've already talked to Mike about writing up a short article in this months mag about how to spot a true SAE.

Lucy

That's a good idea Jim, there have been a few questions about them recently.
I know I would enjoy learning about them.

COBettaCouple

Those are great pics and I'll look forward to the article. Even at the huge fish auction last Saturday, I've not run across any SAE here in Denver.

angelfish220

Seiriously, do they breed in home aqaria? I would buy some if you breed them!

oOOOo

I'd love to read that article! Will it cover how to differentiate a SAE from an Oto as well?

nickf5

My LFS is selling chinese algae eaters, and those fish were definately resting on there pectoral fins. Does this mean they are actually siamese, or do both species do this?

Jim

I only saw reference to the SAE doing it, but that doesn't mean the other doesn't. Because they're somewhat similar in body size, shape and all around structure, I would not at all be surprised to see a chinese do something very similar.

Lucy

I was in a fish store over the week end and saw some little guys that looked like your sae resting on leaves and I thought about this thread. The guy said they were otos. Do they act similar?

Jim

Yes, very. But Oto's are only about an inch long, where these guys are over 2 inches.
FYI, Oto's are GREAT little algae eaters, especially for a small tank, and a school of 6 or so will do wonders without hurting any plants or such. And best yet, unlike Plecos, they won't get any bigger! If they were Oto's then I would consider getting a few anyway.

samidie

Are these the same algae eaters that go by the name Algae Eating Sharks? I believe that I have two of what I am seeing in these pictures. I've seen them do the same resting habit as well. One is getting pretty plump, so I'm assuming that they're keeping healthy. Not the most colorful thing, but certainly a cool looking fish. If they are the same, then what I've read is that they don't do well breeding in aquariums. But that's just what I found from one particular website. Unless of course I'm mistaken and these are two completely different fish. But I'm pretty sure I don't mistakenly have Chinese Algae Eaters, because non of my other fish have holes sucked into their sides.