Chinese Algae Eater

1 Species Overview

The Chinese algae eater, also called the horseface loach, is an omnivore and not hard to keep, but it likes clean water, so take care. It lives in waters of 23 to 27 C in Xishuangbanna, China (lower Lancang River) and Thailand.

Chinese name: Chinese algae eater

Also known as: Horseface loach

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Osteichthyes

Order: Cypriniformes

Genus: Gyrinocheilus

Latin name: Gyrinocheilus aymonieri

Kingdom: Animalia

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Subclass: Actinopterygii

Family: Cobitidae (loach)

Species: Chinese algae eater

2 Appearance and Physical Traits

The adult Chinese algae eater reaches 180 mm and is not hard to keep; it is an omnivore. Living on sandy shallows by the river, it moves by a downward-slanted sucker mouth clinging to plants and rocks.

The snout tip is slightly pointed. The eye is high and not visible from below, clearly in the rear half of the head. The mouth is inferior, with a well-developed sparse row of bumps on the upper lip edge, the side linked to the base of the corner barbel. The post-labial groove is deep. There are 3 pairs of barbels: 2 rostral, 1 corner. The dorsal fin outer edge is slightly convex; the pectoral bases are close together; the pelvic fins are short and close; the anal fin short; the caudal fin deeply notched. The body has fine scales, the head scaleless. The lateral line is straight, with a dozen small black spots along it, and faint brown large bands across the back midline. Two black stripes run from the snout to the front eye edge; the fins are pale brown with no spots.

3 Habitat and Living Environment

The Chinese algae eater is fairly easy to keep, but breeding it needs attention to spawning water and environment. Normal keeping only needs a stable environment for healthy growth. It lives at 23 to 27 C in Xishuangbanna, China (lower Lancang River) and Thailand. It lives in slow backwaters over sandy shallows by the river, using its downward sucker mouth to cling to plants and rocks and move slowly while grazing algae or leftover food, clearing tank waste. Best temperature 23 to 28 C.

4 Feeding Guidelines

The Chinese algae eater is an omnivorous ornamental fish, generally easy to keep if given clean water. In the aquarium it eats algae and leftover food, helping clean the tank.

The Chinese algae eater is easy to keep and likes clean water. Planted-tank keepers note: do not choose it for freshly planted tanks or thin substrate (under 5 cm), because it fights its own kind for territory and may uproot plants. It fears oxygen loss; when deprived it does not rise but suffocates in the water. As an adult it turns rough and may eat small fish or attack large ones, so watch.