Golden Algae Eater

 

fish description – Golden Algae Eater Care Guide ($Gyrinocheilus\ aymonieri$ ‘Gold’ Strain)

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Gyrinocheilus\ aymonieri$ (‘Gold’ Strain)
Common Name	Golden Algae Eater, CAE, Sucking Loach, Honey Sucker
Origin	Rivers and fast-flowing streams of Southeast Asia (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam)
Adult Size	10–12 inches (25–30 cm) (often stops at 6–8 inches in smaller tanks)
Temperament	Peaceful as a juvenile; highly territorial and semi-aggressive as an adult
Lifespan	10–15 years
Care Level	Intermediate (due to aggression and eventual large size)

Export to Sheets

---

 

Appearance and Sexual Differences

 

• Short Description: This fish has an elongated, slender body and a distinctive sucker-like mouth which it uses to cling to surfaces, a key adaptation for its fast-flowing river habitat. The body is an attractive golden-yellow or olive-gold color.
• Coloration: Body is uniformly golden-yellow. Juveniles may have subtle dark patterns that fade with age. Sexing is very difficult: males may develop small, pronounced tubercles (“thorns”) around the mouth as they mature, and females are often slightly larger and rounder.
• Fins: Proportional, often clear or light yellow. They have a unique gill structure that allows them to breathe without releasing their mouth-grip.
• Behavior: Highly active bottom-dweller, using its mouth to cling and scrape surfaces. Juveniles are great algae eaters, but this tendency wanes with age. Adults become increasingly territorial and aggressive, especially toward other bottom-dwellers or slow, flat-bodied fish.

---

 

Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

 

• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons (208 liters) is the minimum recommended for an adult, with longer tanks (4+ feet) being essential. They are active and need ample open space.
• Schooling: Best kept as a solitary individual in a community tank due to aggressive tendencies. If keeping a group, a tank over 100 gallons with ample territory is necessary.
• Temperature: Tropical range: $72^\circ$–$82^\circ\text{F}\ (22^\circ$–$28^\circ\text{C})$ (ideal $74^\circ$–$80^\circ\text{F}$).
• pH Level: Highly adaptable: 6.5 to 7.5. They are hardy but require clean, well-oxygenated water with moderate to strong flow, mimicking their natural fast-moving stream habitat.
• Aquascape: Use smooth river rocks, driftwood, and a sandy or fine gravel substrate. Provide numerous hiding spots (caves, roots) and visual barriers to break up territories. Bright lighting is suitable, as it encourages algae growth for grazing.

---

 

Diet and Feeding

 

The Golden Algae Eater is an omnivore that shifts toward a meat-based diet as it ages.

• Staple Diet: Juveniles graze heavily on algae and biofilm. Supplement their diet with high-quality sinking algae wafers and blanched vegetables (zucchini, cucumber, spinach).
• Supplementation: As they mature, their diet must be supplemented with protein. Offer sinking pellets, frozen foods, and live foods: Bloodworms, Brine Shrimp, and small crustaceans.
• Schedule: Feed once or twice daily, ensuring food sinks to the bottom, where they prefer to feed.

---

 

Compatibility

 

• Caution: Do not house with slow-moving or large, flat-bodied fish (e.g., Angelfish, Goldfish, Discus), as they may latch onto them and feed on the protective slime coat, which can lead to injury and infection. Aggression toward other bottom-dwellers increases with size.
• Good Tank Mates: Fast-moving, robust, and active fish that occupy the mid-to-upper water columns. Examples include larger Barbs (Rosy, Tiger), Danios (Giant), Rainbowfish, and some peaceful, durable Cichlids.