Moderate
Siamese Algae Eater (Crossocheilus cf. langei)
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 200L
£4.99
Gold Chinese Algae Eater is the golden form of Gyrinocheilus aymonieri, a large river grazer for a mature, well-oxygenated aquarium with adult-scale space. Each quantity is one unsexed juvenile in the selected approximate live size.
Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
Gold Chinese Algae Eater are a shoaling species — they need 6+ to feel safe and show their full colour.
Gold Chinese Algae Eater is the golden form of Gyrinocheilus aymonieri, a large river grazer for a mature, well-oxygenated aquarium with adult-scale space. Each quantity is one unsexed juvenile in the selected approximate live size.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Gold Chinese Algae Eater is the golden domestic form of Gyrinocheilus aymonieri, a large Southeast Asian river fish also known as the Chinese Algae Eater, Sucking Loach or Honey Sucker. Its bright yellow-gold body and sucker-like mouth make it distinctive, but the name can create the wrong expectation: this is not a small cleaner fish for every community aquarium. Juveniles graze algae and biofilm actively; adults can reach about 28 cm, become territorial and need substantial swimming room, oxygenated water and carefully chosen companions.
Each quantity is one unsexed fish in the approximate live size selected. The 4-5 cm and 6-7 cm choices describe dispatch size, not adult size and not different care requirements. Sex, a compatible pair, a particular shade of gold and the individual shown in the gallery are not guaranteed. Current size availability and price come from the live selector beside this guide.
This fish suits an experienced or well-prepared keeper who wants a bold, active river grazer and can plan for its adult behaviour. It is a poor fit for nano aquariums, peaceful long-finned communities or anyone expecting algae alone to provide a complete diet. The algae-eater collection includes gentler alternatives when this species is too large or assertive.
| Accepted species | Gyrinocheilus aymonieri (Tirant, 1883) |
|---|---|
| Family | Gyrinocheilidae |
| Domestic form | Golden or yellow colour form |
| Other common names | Chinese Algae Eater, Sucking Loach, Honey Sucker |
| Adult planning size | Up to about 28 cm standard length |
| Practical adult aquarium | About 200 litres and 120 cm usable length for one; around 300 litres or more for a robust community |
| Temperature | 24-28°C; 25-28°C matches the core species range |
| pH and hardness | pH 6.0-8.0; approximately 5-19 dGH |
| Temperament | Active, solitary and increasingly territorial with age |
| Diet | Algae and biofilm plus prepared plant-based food and measured invertebrate or omnivore variety |
| Care level | Intermediate |
The listed 4-5 cm and 6-7 cm options are juvenile sizes. Both can grow into the same large adult species, so neither belongs in a small aquarium as a permanent home. A 4-5 cm fish may look suitable beside small tetras today, yet its adult mouth, body mass, territory and activity will be very different. Choose the fish only if the adult aquarium is already available or firmly planned.
| Listed size | Life stage | Immediate planning point |
|---|---|---|
| 4-5 cm | Small juvenile | Needs dependable feeding access, mature surfaces and protection from large predatory tank mates |
| 6-7 cm | Larger juvenile | May establish a territory sooner and should enter an aquarium with adult-scale space and robust companions |
Live fish do not measure like manufactured items, so each band is approximate. Fin position, body curve and normal individual variation affect the measurement. Ordering two does not create a pair and can create conflict as the fish mature. For most home aquariums, one individual is the safer plan.
Gyrinocheilus aymonieri belongs to Gyrinocheilidae within the order Cypriniformes. Although Sucking Loach is a common trade name, it is not a true loach. It is also not a catfish, pleco or Siamese Algae Eater. Those names describe different families and different behaviour. Clear identity matters because advice written for a bristlenose pleco, Otocinclus or Crossocheilus should not be transferred automatically to this fish.
The gold form is a colour variety of the same species, not a separate species or subspecies. It should therefore be planned around the same adult size, river adaptation and territorial potential as the normally patterned form. The gallery represents the golden appearance, but colour can range from pale lemon through warm honey gold. Lighting, background, age, diet and stress can all change how intense the colour looks.
FishBase records a maximum of 28 cm standard length. Standard length stops at the base of the tail, so the complete fish can occupy slightly more horizontal space. A practical adult home for one should start around 200 litres with at least 120 cm of usable length, a broad footprint and uninterrupted turning room. A mixed community benefits from about 300 litres or more because the other fish need somewhere to avoid the grazer's preferred surfaces and territory.
Volume alone is not enough. A tall, narrow aquarium may hold many litres while offering little floor area or distance between resting places. Prioritise length, width, broken sightlines and several feeding zones. Use the aquarium care planner with the internal dimensions after substrate and decor are installed, not only the manufacturer's nominal volume.
| Feature | Practical target | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Usable length | About 120 cm or more | Allows sustained movement and separation from tank mates |
| Footprint | Broad rather than narrow | Creates more grazing surfaces, retreats and alternative routes |
| Single-fish volume | About 200 litres as a starting point | Supports the adult body mass and stable filtration |
| Community volume | About 300 litres or more | Reduces forced contact with robust mid-water companions |
| Hardscape | Several smooth areas divided by wood or plants | Breaks sightlines and avoids one contested resting point |
| Contingency | Cycled divider or separate aquarium | Provides a humane response if persistent harassment develops |
Wild G. aymonieri occurs in medium and large rivers, flooded areas and flowing water across the Mekong, Chao Phraya and Meklong systems and the northern Malay Peninsula. Its inferior mouth forms a specialised oral sucker. Anatomical work describes flexible lip tissues and rows of small keratinised hooks that help the fish attach and scrape encrusting growth. Separate openings near the gill covers allow water movement for respiration while the mouth is attached.
The aquarium does not need to be a high-speed torrent from end to end, but it should provide clean, well-oxygenated water and a definite current. Aim a filter return along the length of the aquarium, leave calmer retreats behind wood and keep the surface moving. Watch the fish rather than relying on the pump label: normal attachment and active grazing are different from continually struggling against a jet.
A dependable home range is 24-28°C, pH 6.0-8.0 and approximately 5-19 dGH. FishBase gives 25-28°C for the species, while established aquarium references show that acclimated fish can tolerate a broader temperature window. For mixed tropical housing, stability within the central range is safer than repeatedly moving between extremes.
| Temperature | 24-28°C, stable; 25-28°C is the core species range |
|---|---|
| pH | 6.0-8.0, with sudden changes avoided |
| General hardness | Approximately 5-19 dGH |
| Ammonia | 0 mg/L |
| Nitrite | 0 mg/L |
| Nitrate | Keep controlled through stocking, feeding and regular partial changes |
| Oxygen | High, supported by surface movement and distributed flow |
Test the source water before buying. The water matcher can organise your readings, but it cannot replace a liquid test kit or a repeatable maintenance routine. If tap water sits near one edge of the range, stable acclimation is usually safer than abrupt chemical correction.
Use a mature biological filter sized for the adult fish and the complete community. Large adults are active and produce considerably more waste than the juvenile in the selector. Provide enough flow to move waste toward the intake without pinning fish against the glass. A pre-filter sponge can protect fins and retain grazing life, but it still needs regular cleaning.
Test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and temperature at least weekly, and more often after adding fish or changing filtration. Ammonia and nitrite must remain at zero. Replace an appropriate portion of water with dechlorinated, temperature-matched water, remove trapped waste and rinse biological media in removed aquarium water. Clear water is not proof of safe chemistry.
Use rounded cobbles, smooth rock, sturdy wood and open glass areas to create varied grazing surfaces. Avoid sharp stone edges around the belly and mouth. Divide the lower zone into several visual sections rather than building one cave that every bottom fish must share. Leave an open lane through the aquarium so an adult can turn without scraping decor.
Hardy attached plants such as Anubias, Java fern and Bolbitis are practical because they tolerate current and do not need to be rooted where the fish grazes. Robust rooted plants can also work behind protective stones. Delicate leaves may be damaged by persistent grazing or normal movement. Floating cover can soften bright light without blocking all surface agitation.
In nature, the species feeds largely on algae, periphyton and phytoplankton, with insect larvae and zooplankton also recorded. Periphyton is the mixed film of algae, microbes and tiny organisms growing on submerged surfaces. That is much more nutritionally complex than a patch of green glass. A home aquarium, especially a clean new one, cannot be assumed to produce enough food.
Use a quality algae wafer or sinking plant-based food as the prepared foundation. Add spirulina-rich granules, blanched courgette, spinach or shelled pea, then measured frozen or live foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp or mosquito larvae. Offer food where the fish can feed without defending one narrow corner. Remove uneaten vegetables before they foul the water.
| Food | Role | Control point |
|---|---|---|
| Algae wafer or sinking herbivore granule | Prepared daily foundation | Choose a portion consumed without leaving soft waste overnight |
| Spirulina-rich food | Plant and algae-based variety | Rotate rather than relying on one product |
| Courgette, spinach or shelled pea | Fresh vegetable enrichment | Blanch if needed and remove uneaten pieces |
| Daphnia, brine shrimp or mosquito larvae | Measured animal-food variety | Use small portions, not a protein-only diet |
| Naturally grown biofilm | Grazing behaviour and dietary diversity | Useful enrichment, never proof that no prepared food is needed |
A young Chinese Algae Eater may clear soft algae and biofilm quickly, but it cannot correct the cause of an algae problem. Excess light, nutrient imbalance, overfeeding, weak plant growth and delayed maintenance still require direct action. Adults often spend less time grazing algae than juveniles and take a broader diet.
| Expectation | Realistic answer |
|---|---|
| Will it clean every surface? | No. Grazing varies with age, food, surface and individual behaviour. |
| Can it live on tank algae? | No. Provide complete prepared food and dietary variety. |
| Will it solve green water or cyanobacteria? | No. Those problems need correct diagnosis and husbandry. |
| Can I add several for faster cleaning? | Not safely in an ordinary home aquarium; adults can be strongly territorial. |
| Does extra feeding remove aggression? | No. Good nutrition matters, but it does not erase adult territorial behaviour. |
Juveniles are often busy, visible grazers that move between glass, wood and stone. As the fish matures, it may claim a cave, rock face or section of the lower aquarium and chase similar-looking fish away. Brief displacement is different from persistent harassment. Act when another fish is trapped, loses feeding access, develops wounds, hides continually or shows rapid breathing and clamped fins.
Do not depend on decor alone to solve an incompatible combination. More wood can reduce direct sightlines, but it cannot make a slow long-finned fish able to withstand repeated pursuit. A divider or separate mature aquarium is the correct response when welfare is compromised.
Choose companions by adult behaviour, body shape, speed, feeding access and water requirements. Robust, active mid-water fish are safer candidates than slow, flat-bodied or long-finned species. Larger danios, sturdy barbs and selected rainbowfish may work in a spacious aquarium when their own social-group needs are met.
Avoid angelfish, discus, bettas, fancy goldfish, slow gouramis and other fish that present a broad body or trailing fins. Similar bottom fish can also trigger territory disputes. The tank-mate tool is a useful first filter, but observed behaviour and adult space decide the final answer.
| Candidate | Assessment | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Larger danios | Often possible | Proper group, strong swimming space and matching warm water |
| Sturdy barbs | Possible with care | Avoid fin-nipping species and provide a large footprint |
| Selected rainbowfish | Often possible | Robust adults, correct group and adequate open water |
| Another Chinese Algae Eater | High-risk specialist setup | Do not keep a casual pair; ordinary aquariums should house one |
| Angelfish, discus or fancy goldfish | Unsuitable | Slow, broad-bodied fish are vulnerable to attachment and damage |
| Bettas and long-finned gouramis | Unsuitable | Too slow and too easily stressed or injured |
| Similar bottom grazers | Often risky | Competition and territory overlap can become persistent |
| Tiny fish and ornamental shrimp | Not a dependable match | Size, feeding competition and individual behaviour make outcomes uncertain |
For a normal home aquarium, keep one. Adult Chinese Algae Eaters can be territorial toward their own kind and similar-shaped bottom fish. A random pair does not gain the security of a shoal; one fish may dominate the other continuously. Specialist group keeping requires a genuinely large aquarium, numerous territories and close observation, not simply two or three fish added together.
If you are comparing personalities and adult requirements, the Siamese Algae Eater is a different species with a different social profile. The Golden Black Chinese Algae Eater and Black Gold Chinese Algae Eater are closer comparisons, but colour does not remove the adult territorial risk.
A healthy fish should attach confidently, move purposefully between surfaces, breathe steadily and maintain a smooth body profile. A slightly rounded abdomen after feeding is normal; a pinched belly can indicate inadequate intake or disease. Check for clear eyes, intact mouth tissue, complete fins and no red sores where the body contacts hardscape.
| Observation | Possible meaning | First check |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid breathing | Low oxygen, ammonia, nitrite, temperature stress or disease | Test water and increase safe aeration |
| Constant hiding with a pinched belly | Feeding exclusion, stress or internal illness | Observe feeding and social pressure |
| Repeated chasing | Territory conflict | Check the victim's escape and feeding access |
| Mouth redness or abrasion | Rough decor, collision or infection | Inspect surfaces and water quality |
| White spots or clamped fins | Parasites, stress or infection | Quarantine and diagnose before treatment |
Do not medicate from one symptom alone. Correct water quality, oxygen, feeding and compatibility problems while identifying the cause. Where possible, quarantine new fish in a mature separate system before introducing them to established stock.
Prepare the aquarium before delivery: mature filter, stable temperature, dim lighting, smooth cover and a secure lid. Follow the fish acclimation guide and use the acclimation timer to keep the process measured. Do not prolong an opened shipping bag unnecessarily, because its water chemistry changes once exposed to air.
After release, keep lights low and avoid a large meal immediately. Offer a small sinking food once the fish is settled, then confirm that it eats without being chased. Test ammonia and nitrite during the first week, inspect the mouth and belly daily, and watch all tank mates for changes in breathing, hiding and feeding.
Sexing juveniles is not dependable. Mature males have been reported with breeding tubercles around the head, but that is not a reliable retail-sexing method for the sizes offered here. Each fish is therefore sold as unsexed.
Breeding behaviour is poorly documented in ordinary home aquariums and commercial production should not be confused with a straightforward hobby method. Do not buy two expecting a male-female pair. The immediate welfare priorities are adult space, stable water, complete feeding and management of territorial behaviour.
Common names make these fish easy to confuse. The comparison below is a decision aid, not permission to combine all four in one aquarium. Follow each linked listing's adult care requirements.
| Fish | Key difference | Best reason to compare |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Chinese Algae Eater | Large solitary river grazer with adult territorial risk | For a spacious aquarium with robust companions |
| Siamese Algae Eater | Different genus and social behaviour | When comparing algae grazers rather than colour forms |
| Albino Rainbow Shark | Territorial cyprinid with a different mouth and feeding profile | For keepers comparing assertive feature fish |
| Kuhli Loach | Small social nocturnal true loach | For a peaceful group in a suitable soft-substrate aquarium |
| Clown Loach | Very large social true loach with group requirements | For advanced keepers planning a large shoal aquarium |
This is a suitable choice when the aquarium is mature, at least around 120 cm long, strongly filtered, well oxygenated and stocked with robust compatible fish. It is not suitable when the plan depends on permanent algae removal, a small tank, a gentle mixed bottom community or a pair bought without specialist group space.
| Adult aquarium ready | About 200 litres and 120 cm length for one, larger for a community |
|---|---|
| Water suitable | Stable 24-28°C, pH 6.0-8.0 and approximately 5-19 dGH |
| Flow and oxygen | Distributed current, surface movement and calmer retreats |
| Tank mates screened | No slow, broad-bodied or long-finned vulnerable fish |
| Diet planned | Prepared plant-based food, vegetables and measured animal-food variety |
| Separation possible | Divider or mature alternative home available if aggression persists |
The accepted identity, 28 cm maximum standard length, river distribution, 25-28°C core range and natural feeding ecology are supported by the FishBase species account. The oral-sucker explanation is supported by peer-reviewed anatomical research. Water-testing and mature-filter guidance follows OATA freshwater aquarium guidance.
Published biological information does not answer every aquarium question. The 200-litre and 120 cm recommendation is a practical adult-welfare starting point derived from the documented body size, active river habitat and territorial behaviour, not a claim that every aquarium at that number will be suitable. Stocking density, footprint, filtration, decor and companion species can require more space.
Choose the live size option and quantity beside this guide. Eligible first orders can use WELCOME10 for 10% off under the current promotion and checkout terms. Before ordering, read the live-fish buying guide and confirm that someone can receive the delivery promptly.
Qualifying livestock arrivals are protected by the Live Arrival Guarantee when the current delivery, receiving, contact-time and evidence conditions are followed. Check UK livestock delivery and the Live Arrival Guarantee terms before checkout. The five preserved gallery images are representative and remain in their existing order; they do not promise the exact fish dispatched.
It is the golden domestic form of Gyrinocheilus aymonieri, a member of the family Gyrinocheilidae.
No. Golden colour does not change the species, adult size, river adaptation or territorial potential.
No. Sucking Loach is a common name. This fish is not a true loach, catfish, pleco or Siamese Algae Eater.
Plan for up to about 28 cm standard length, with the tail adding to the full visual length.
Start around 200 litres and 120 cm of usable length for one. A robust mixed community should have around 300 litres or more, with a broad footprint and separated territories.
Use a stable 24-28°C and pH 6.0-8.0. Approximately 5-19 dGH is a useful hardness range.
Juveniles may appear peaceful, but adults commonly become territorial and can harass similar, slow or long-finned fish.
Robust active mid-water fish such as larger danios, selected sturdy barbs and suitable rainbowfish can work in a spacious aquarium when their own group needs are met.
No dependable safe match can be promised. Their slow movement and broad sides make them vulnerable to attachment, chasing and injury.
Keep one in most home aquariums. A casual pair or trio can concentrate aggression; specialist group keeping needs a genuinely large system and close supervision.
No. Juveniles often graze actively, but adults may graze less. Lighting, nutrients and maintenance still need direct control.
No. Feed prepared plant-based foods, vegetables and measured invertebrate or omnivore variety.
Hardy attached plants usually fit better than delicate soft leaves. Normal grazing and adult movement can damage fragile growth.
There is no dependable shrimp-safety guarantee. Adult size, territorial behaviour and feeding competition make the combination uncertain.
Juveniles cannot be sexed reliably from ordinary retail appearance. Each fish is sold unsexed.
No. Sex and compatibility are not guaranteed, and two maturing fish may become strongly territorial toward each other.
An exact lifespan cannot be promised from the evidence used here. Treat it as a long-term, multi-year commitment and plan for the adult fish from the start.
No. Both are juvenile dispatch sizes for a species that can reach about 28 cm standard length.
No. The images are representative. Shade, markings, body shape and size vary, and the dispatched fish is not the exact individual shown.
WELCOME10 gives 10% off eligible first orders under the current promotion. The Live Arrival Guarantee applies to qualifying livestock orders when the current delivery and claim conditions are followed.
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 200L
22–28°C · pH 6–8 · 200L
22–28°C · pH 6.5–7.5 · 200L
22–28°C · pH 5.5–7 · 60L
25–30°C · pH 6–7.5 · 500L
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
23–27°C · pH 7.4–8.4 · 1000L
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
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
22–28°C · pH 7–8.5 · 10L
23–27°C · pH 5.5–7.5 · 80L
24–27°C · pH 7.5–9 · 250L