{"product_id":"siamese-algae-eater-crossocheilus-oblongus-freshwater-fish","title":"Siamese Algae Eater (Crossocheilus oblongus)","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\u003cp\u003eThe Siamese Algae Eater (\u003cem\u003eCrossocheilus oblongus\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the hardest-working cleanup fish in the freshwater hobby, and one of the very few that will actually eat tough black beard algae. Peaceful, active, and easy to keep, it earns its place in planted community tanks by grazing surfaces clean all day long. This is a beginner-friendly, peaceful schooling fish that does best in a small group. Browse our full selection of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater fish and plants\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\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\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30 gallons or larger. These are active, fast swimmers that reach about 6 inches, so they need open room to cruise.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeep them in a group:\u003c\/strong\u003e They are social and do best in groups of 4 to 6. Kept singly or in pairs, older fish can get a little nippy with their own kind.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75 to 79°F with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. They are hardy and adapt well to most stable community setups.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide plants, driftwood, and rocks. The biofilm and algae that grow on these surfaces are a natural food source.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore. They graze algae and biofilm but need a varied diet of quality flakes or pellets, plus blanched vegetables, to stay healthy long term.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\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%;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSiamese Algae Eater (SAE)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCrossocheilus oblongus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlso Known As\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSAE, formerly \u003cem\u003eCrossocheilus siamensis\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eEasy, good for beginners\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eUp to 6 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;background:#E3F2FD;\"\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\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e75 to 79°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.5 to 7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore (algae, biofilm, prepared foods)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eUp to 10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;background:#E3F2FD;\"\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\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\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\u003eSiamese Algae Eaters are excellent community fish. They mix well with other peaceful species and spend their day busily working over plants and hardscape. Great tank mates include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/neon-tetra-small-5-qty\"\u003eNeon Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zebra-danio-danio-rerio-freshwater\"\u003eZebra Danios\u003c\/a\u003e, and other peaceful schooling fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/panda-cory-corydoras-panda-freshwater\"\u003eCorydoras catfish\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vittatus-freshwater-algae-eater\"\u003eOtocinclus\u003c\/a\u003e for an even stronger cleanup crew\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pink-lady-nerite-snail-clithon-sowerbyanum-freshwater-algae-eating-snail\"\u003eNerite snails\u003c\/a\u003e to round out algae control\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid housing them with large or aggressive fish. They can be kept with adult \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/assorted-dwarf-neocaridina-shrimp\"\u003eNeocaridina shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e, though hungry adults may snack on tiny shrimplets, so dedicated shrimp breeders should plan accordingly.\u003c\/p\u003e\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 and Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-nutridiet-chlorella-flakes-w-probiotics\"\u003eSeachem NutriDiet Chlorella Flakes\u003c\/a\u003e for plant-based nutrition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-vibra-bites-sinking-pellet-fish-food\"\u003eHikari Vibra Bites\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-brine-shrimp-plus-flake-tropical-fish-food\"\u003eOcean Nutrition Brine Shrimp Plus Flakes\u003c\/a\u003e for variety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLive plants such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/anacharis-egeria-densa-bunch-freshwater-plant\"\u003eAnacharis\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hornwort-ceratophyllum-demersum-freshwater-plant\"\u003eHornwort\u003c\/a\u003e for grazing surfaces and cover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003eMore freshwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\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\u003eDo they really eat black beard algae?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The Siamese Algae Eater is one of the few fish that will eat black beard and hair algae, especially while young and hungry. Feed other foods sparingly so they stay motivated to graze.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many should I keep?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA group of 4 to 6 is ideal. They are social and stay calmer and more outgoing in a group than they do alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they bother my other fish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. They are peaceful toward other species and simply want open swimming space and surfaces to graze.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I tell a true Siamese Algae Eater from a flying fox?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn a true SAE, the black side stripe runs all the way into the tail fin and the fins are clear. Flying foxes and lookalikes have a stripe that stops at the tail base and more colorful fins.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48843855626459,"sku":"FW1-F6833","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/Siamese_Algae_Eater_3_1200x1200_jpg.webp?v=1780652803","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/siamese-algae-eater-crossocheilus-oblongus-freshwater-fish","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}