All fish / Cyprinidae

Sumatran algae eater

Crossocheilus gnathopogon

Also known as siamese algae eater, sae, crossocheilus sp., false siamese algae eater, crossochilus gnathopogon

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A slim, active labeonine cyprinid from Sumatra with a silvery brown body and a dark stripe along its side, very like the better known Siamese algae eater. It is rarely sold under its own name and is mostly kept by enthusiasts of Crossocheilus, or turns up mixed in with shipments of algae eaters, where it grazes on algae and biofilm.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more

Diet

Omnivore: algae, biofilm, sinking wafers, vegetables and small frozen foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Sumatra, Indonesia

Breeding

There are no reliable reports of captive breeding. It is probably an egg scatterer like its relatives, and fish in the trade are likely wild caught.

Good to know

Very little has been published about this species, so the care figures here are based on related Crossocheilus species. It is easily mixed up with C. langei, C. oblongus and Garra or Epalzeorhynchos look-alikes, and it needs clean, well-oxygenated water with some current.