Gold Chinese Algae Eater (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri)

The Gold Chinese Algae Eater (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri) is the bright golden color form of one of the hobby's classic cleanup fish, a hardy, beginner-friendly grazer that spends its day rasping algae and biofilm off glass, rocks, and driftwood with its suction-cup mouth. It is peaceful and busy as a juvenile but grows into a bold, territorial adult, so plan its tankmates accordingly. Browse the rest of our freshwater livestock to build out the community around it.

Care Guide

Gold Chinese Algae Eaters are famously tough and adapt to a wide range of water conditions, which is what makes them such a popular starter fish. Give them a mature, well-oxygenated tank with plenty of hard surfaces to graze and a secure lid, as they can be surprising jumpers. Juveniles graze algae and biofilm eagerly, but as they mature they eat less algae and need a proper diet of sinking foods.

• Minimum tank: 30 gallons. They stay small at the store but grow to around 5 inches, so give them room.
• Water: 74 to 80°F, pH 6.0 to 8.0, soft to moderately hard. Very adaptable.
• Diet: Omnivore. Supplement natural algae with algae wafers, sinking pellets, and blanched vegetables like zucchini and spinach.
• Behavior: Active and constantly grazing. Best kept one per tank; multiples squabble unless the tank is large.
• Lifespan: 8 to 10 years with good care.

Specifications

Compatibility

As a juvenile this fish minds its own business, but adults grow territorial and can get pushy, sometimes rasping at the slime coat of slow, flat-bodied fish. Choose tankmates that are fast and robust rather than slow and delicate.

• Good tankmates: Barbs, danios, larger tetras, rainbowfish, and other active mid-water fish. The Rainbow Shark shares similar care needs.
• Use caution with: Slow or flat-sided fish such as goldfish, angelfish, and discus, which can be harassed by an adult.
• Best kept singly. Two in the same tank tend to bicker unless there is a lot of space and cover.
• For a gentler, always-peaceful algae grazer, the Siamese Algae Eater is a great alternative, and algae-eating nerite snails round out a cleanup crew.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Hikari Algae Wafers, the staple sinking food for algae eaters
• Sinking pellets and blanched vegetables for variety as it matures
• Driftwood and rockwork so it always has surfaces to graze, see our freshwater collection

FAQ

Will it keep my tank algae-free?
It helps a lot as a juvenile, but no single fish is a magic algae solution. As it ages it eats less algae, so keep feeding it a proper diet and pair it with good tank maintenance.

Can I keep more than one?
We recommend just one per tank. They become territorial with age and will squabble with their own kind unless the tank is large with plenty of hiding spots.

Is it safe with goldfish?
Use caution. Adults have been known to rasp the slime coat of slow, flat-bodied fish like goldfish, so it is best paired with fast, active tankmates instead.

How big does it get?
Around 5 inches in the aquarium, so start it in at least a 30 gallon tank to give it room to grow.