Gold Chinese Algae Eater (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri)
200L
£7.99
Black gold morph of the Chinese Algae Eater — keen algae-grazer when young, large and aggressive as an adult. One per 200 L+ tank.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Gyrinocheilus aymonieri black gold
Chinese algae eater black are a shoaling species — they need 6+ to feel safe and show their full colour.
Black gold morph of the Chinese Algae Eater — keen algae-grazer when young, large and aggressive as an adult. One per 200 L+ tank.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Honesty first: the black gold form of Gyrinocheilus aymonieri is a superb algae-grazer in its youth and a big, boisterous, genuinely aggressive fish in adulthood — and the keepers who succeed with it are the ones who plan for both stages from the outset. This dark morph of the Chinese Algae Eater originates in Thailand and brings a striking black-and-gold presence to the floor of a large aquarium.
Young fish earn their keep rasping algae from glass and décor. As they mature — and adults can reach a substantial 25 cm over a lifespan of around ten years — the diet should shift towards sinking pellets and blanched vegetables, and the attitude hardens considerably. Provision accordingly: a tank of at least 200 litres, exactly one specimen (this is strictly a solo fish), and companions that can stand their ground, such as large robust species and large barbs. Slow-moving fish, flat-bodied fish and small species all make poor — sometimes dangerous — pairings.
The water side of the equation is refreshingly simple. Anything from 22–28 °C with pH 6.0–8.0 and hardness 5–20 dGH will do, which is why the species carries an easy care rating despite its temper. That rating deserves one clarification: it refers to hardiness and water tolerance, not to compatibility — nothing about the chemistry will challenge you, but everything about the stocking plan deserves thought. Aquarium breeding, by contrast, is rated difficult.
Choose this fish for a big, robust setup that needs a hardy dark showpiece on the bottom — not as a quick fix for an algae problem in a small community tank. Bought with the right expectations and the right tankmates, it is an impressive, low-maintenance animal for a decade or more. Shipped with a live arrival guarantee by licensed live-animal courier.
200L
22–28°C · pH 5.5–7 · 60L
24–28°C · pH 5.5–7.5 · 60L
25–30°C · pH 6–7.5 · 450L
22–28°C · pH 6.5–7.5 · 200L
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
20–24°C · pH 7–8 · 45L
24–28°C · pH 6.5–7.5 · 2000L
24–28°C · pH 5.5–7 · 60L
24–28°C · pH 7–8 · 120L
18–28°C · pH 6.5–8 · 20L
24–27°C · pH 7.5–8.8 · 150L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 60L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 40L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 500L
28–30°C · pH 5.5–7.5 · 300L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 150L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 200L
23–27°C · pH 5.5–7.5 · 80L
24–28°C · pH 8–9 · 300L