Golden Algae Eater
Gyrinocheilus aymonieri · Semi-aggressive · Intermediate care
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Species profile Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
Origin
Southeast Asia (Mekong and Chao Phraya basins)
Family
Gyrinocheilidae (algae eater family)
Adult size
Up to 25 cm (10 in)
Diet
Algae and biofilm when young; sinking pellets, wafers, veg and protein foods as it matures (Omnivore)
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Swimming level
Bottom
Minimum group
1+ (shoaling)
Lifespan
8-10 years
Minimum tank
200 L (50 gal)
Water type
Freshwater
Size to scale
25 cm adult length, shown to scale against an iPhone 15 Pro (14.66 cm).
Natural range
Where it comes from — Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia (Mekong and Chao Phraya basins)
Water
Singapore tap water vs its needs
Hardness: Soft to hard (5-20 dGH).
In the aquarium
How it lives in the tank
Swims in the bottom of the tank
Sensitivity Index — Moderate
Adaptable, but happiest with stable parameters in a matured tank.
Our own read on how forgiving this species is of water changes — not a formal standard.
Keeping & care
What this fish needs
Family
About the Gyrinocheilidae family algae eater family
Gyrinocheilidae is a small family of Southeast Asian cypriniform fishes (a single genus, Gyrinocheilus, with about three species) native to fast-flowing, well-oxygenated freshwater streams of Indochina. Members have an elongated body and a sucker-like mouth used to cling to rocks in current, along with a distinctive pair of separate gill openings that let them keep breathing while the mouth stays attached. In the hobby only Gyrinocheilus aymonieri, the "Chinese"/sucking algae eater (and its golden form), is regularly seen; it is often sold small as an algae grazer but grows fairly large and tends to become territorial with age.
Only Gyrinocheilus aymonieri is commonly kept; buy it aware that it can reach roughly 25-28 cm and often grows territorial with age, so give it a long, mature tank with brisk, well-oxygenated flow, hiding spots, and tankmates that are neither tiny nor flat-flanked slow swimmers.
Breeding
Egg-scattererThese fish are egg-scattering, stream-spawning cypriniforms that are essentially never bred in the home aquarium; the tank stock sold in the trade is produced on commercial farms, typically with hormone induction, rather than by hobbyists. Reliable, well-documented accounts of natural aquarium spawning are lacking, so no dependable trigger, spawning-behaviour, or fry-rearing protocol can be stated with confidence. Keepers interested in these fish should treat them as a display/utility species rather than a breeding project.
Feeding
Recommended food
Compatibility
Best tankmates
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