All fish / Cyprinidae

Burmese algae eater

Tariqilabeo burmanicus

Also known as crossocheilus burmanicus, burmese flying fox, false siamese algae eater, burma algae eater, tariqilabeo burmanicus, 缅甸穗唇鲃

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A slim, silvery to olive cyprinid with a dark band along the flank, similar in appearance to the better known Siamese algae eater. It comes from fast, clear hill streams and is kept as an active grazer that picks algae and biofilm off rocks and wood.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

18 to 25 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.8

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more

Diet

Omnivore: biofilm and algae grazing, sinking algae wafers, blanched vegetables, small frozen foods such as bloodworm

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Myanmar and adjacent China (Irrawaddy and Salween basins)

Breeding

It is thought to scatter eggs over gravel in flowing water, and there are no reliable reports of it breeding in home aquariums. Stock in the trade is wild caught.

Good to know

It needs cool, well oxygenated water with a strong current, so it does not suit warm, still tropical tanks. It is easily mistaken for Crossocheilus and Garra species and shipments are often mislabelled, so check the fish before you buy.