Rare Leucistic Chinese Algae Eater!

Hello Fishlorians! Yesterday I found this friend at a pet store - a rare leucistic color morph of the Chinese Algae Eater. I couldn't help it - this fella was only $4. Many folks hate CAE but I like their big size, personalities, and diet requirements as they age. This fella seems to be needing a name!

 

Hello Fishlorians! Yesterday I found this friend at a pet store - a rare leucistic color morph of the Chinese Algae Eater. I couldn't help it - this fella was only $4. Many folks hate CAE but I like their big size, personalities, and diet requirements as they age. This fella seems to be needing a name!View attachment 859515View attachment 859516View attachment 859517

he kinda looks like a candycorn,

 

Those aren't that rare here.

A fish I, for some reason, will never buy.

Succes keeping it.

 

No these are out of the question for me. They need a huge tank (180 gallon) if they are not to be stunted, are aggressive amongst themselves and other fish preferring to be solitary and hide all the time when adult so not satisfying to keep at all.

 

No these are out of the question for me. They need a huge tank (180 gallon) if they are not to be stunted, are aggressive amongst themselves and other fish preferring to be solitary and hide all the time when adult so not satisfying to keep at all.

Chinese Algae Eaters get up to 11 inches in the wild but typically get 5-9" in aquariums. A 30 gal is fine for a single CAE. They are territorial, can't be kept with other CAE's (or bottom-dwellers for that matter) and require high protein as adults

 

Chinese Algae Eaters get up to 11 inches in the wild but typically get 5-9" in aquariums. A 30 gal is fine for a single CAE. They are territorial, can't be kept with other CAE's (or bottom-dwellers for that matter) and require high protein as adults

Eh? Isnt 30 gallons a tad small for a 9" fish? Or is it just my beginner brain accompanied by a single brain cell?

 

They do not reach their potential in small aquariums as I said previously. That's what stunted means. A 30 gallon is not fine.

 

CopperIsEpiK , Redshark1 I was saying 30 gallons (36" tank) for a 5" fish. I like the 6× length, 3× depth rule. 5" CAE = 15×30", 9" CAE = 27×54", 11" CAE = 33×66" etc. Most CAE's get 6-7". That's an 18×36" (30B, 40B, 50B or 65G) or 21×42" tank, or a 55 gal would suffice.

Don't get your britches in a twist Redshark1 - read my post to form opinions. Don't read another's and assume that's what I was talking about. And yes, I know what stunting is. I've run a family-run rescue in my area for 10 years. I've rescued well over 400 fish of various species. I don't think over 10 years of research, knowledge, and experience would do that to me would it?

 

Those aren't that rare here.

A fish I, for some reason, will never buy.

Succes keeping it.

I can only sign this. Just on my last trip to the store on monday I saw at least 10.

Have fun with it.

 

CopperIsEpiK , Redshark1 I was saying 30 gallons (36" tank) for a 5" fish

Oh.. Sorry about that :/

 

Hello Fishlorians! Yesterday I found this friend at a pet store - a rare leucistic color morph of the Chinese Algae Eater. I couldn't help it - this fella was only $4. Many folks hate CAE but I like their big size, personalities, and diet requirements as they age. This fella seems to be needing a name!

What other fish are you planning in the 30? Is it just going to be a CAE tank?

 

What other fish are you planning in the 30? Is it just going to be a CAE tank?

Yep! For now, just this lil one

 

Might not be so bad. I have a single Betta in a 20 Long. He loves it...lots of Cabomba and Anacharis.

 

Might not be so bad. I have a single Betta in a 20 Long. He loves it...lots of Cabomba and Anacharis.

Nice! I have a heavily-planted 29 home to a betta (currently my favorite); a show-quality, long-finned nemo koi rescue. She still has no name after a few months. I found one but then forgot it. That's what I get for running a rescue/foster :/

 

LOL. I was once a "keep a Betta in a teaspoon" kinda guy. Until I learned that all of the rumors that I've been told are lies! Bettas like bigger tanks...even if they are lazy.

 

LOL. I was once a "keep a Betta in a teaspoon" kinda guy. Until I learned that all of the rumors that I've been told are lies! Bettas like bigger tanks...even if they are lazy.

I agree. I got my first betta, a royal blue roundtail female named Bluestar when I was 11 years old. I'd always wanted fish as the first one I ever took care of was my brother's betta who passed from nitrite poisoning. Besides when I was 8 years old getting chemo, researching my brother's betta's illness is what started my interest in the hobby. But being 11, I couldn't afford a tank, so the first "aquarium" I had was a $3, 4 gallon shoebox bin from Target without a heater (couldn't afford it). Still, I did the best with what I had. After 4 tank moves and 4 years with my gal, she passed due to a heater malfunction. I miss her but she's what got me started in rescuing, and I will never forget the life that she gave me

 

Might not be so bad. I have a single Betta in a 20 Long. He loves it...lots of Cabomba and Anacharis.

Not that comparable I'd say.

Gyrinocheilus aymonieri – Sucking ‘Loach’ (Gyrinocheilus kaznakovi, Gyrinocheilus monchadskii) — Seriously Fish

 

Not that comparable I'd say.

Gyrinocheilus aymonieri – Sucking ‘Loach’ (Gyrinocheilus kaznakovi, Gyrinocheilus monchadskii) — Seriously Fish

I've used seriouslyfish for years! Great website