{"product_id":"gold-chinese-algae-eater-gyrinocheilus-aymonieri-freshwater","title":"Gold Chinese Algae Eater (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eGold Chinese Algae Eater\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eGyrinocheilus aymonieri\u003c\/em\u003e) 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock\u003c\/a\u003e to build out the community around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGold 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30 gallons. They stay small at the store but grow to around 5 inches, so give them room.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 74 to 80°F, pH 6.0 to 8.0, soft to moderately hard. Very adaptable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore. Supplement natural algae with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-algae-wafers\"\u003ealgae wafers\u003c\/a\u003e, sinking pellets, and blanched vegetables like zucchini and spinach.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBehavior:\u003c\/strong\u003e Active and constantly grazing. Best kept one per tank; multiples squabble unless the tank is large.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8 to 10 years with good care.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:520px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eGold Chinese Algae Eater, Golden Sucking Loach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eGyrinocheilus aymonieri\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSoutheast Asia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAround 5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful when young, semi-aggressive as an adult\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Temp\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e74 to 80°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.0 to 8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e30 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGood tankmates:\u003c\/strong\u003e Barbs, danios, larger tetras, rainbowfish, and other active mid-water fish. The \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/rainbow-shark-epalzeorhynchos-frenatum-freshwater\"\u003eRainbow Shark\u003c\/a\u003e shares similar care needs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUse caution with:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow or flat-sided fish such as goldfish, angelfish, and discus, which can be harassed by an adult.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest kept singly.\u003c\/strong\u003e Two in the same tank tend to bicker unless there is a lot of space and cover.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFor a gentler, always-peaceful algae grazer, the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/siamese-algae-eater-crossocheilus-oblongus-freshwater-fish\"\u003eSiamese Algae Eater\u003c\/a\u003e is a great alternative, and algae-eating \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-invertebrates\"\u003enerite snails\u003c\/a\u003e round out a cleanup crew.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-algae-wafers\"\u003eHikari Algae Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e, the staple sinking food for algae eaters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSinking pellets and blanched vegetables for variety as it matures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDriftwood and rockwork so it always has surfaces to graze, see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater collection\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it keep my tank algae-free?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep more than one?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it safe with goldfish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUse 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow big does it get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAround 5 inches in the aquarium, so start it in at least a 30 gallon tank to give it room to grow.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48973772390619,"sku":null,"price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/3547973F-37F5-4875-B554-D5A8E6A02098.png?v=1784038806","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/gold-chinese-algae-eater-gyrinocheilus-aymonieri-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}