Chinese algae eater care guide
Also called: CAE, Sucking loach, Honey sucker, Golden algae eater, Gold Chinese algae eater, Indian algae eater
The Chinese algae eater is a sucker-mouthed grazer sold as a small algae cleaner, but it can grow to about 10–11 in (25–28 cm) and turns aggressive as an adult. Plan on one fish in an 80-gallon (303 L), 5 ft (150 cm) tank, and skip it in most community tanks.
Chinese algae eaters need a tank of at least 80 gallons (303 L), and water at 22–26°C (72–79°F) with a pH of 6.5–7.5. They grow to about 25 cm (9.8 in) and are aggressive.
Plan a tank with chinese algae eatersSee all tank mates
Chinese algae eater quick facts
| Scientific name | Gyrinocheilus aymonieri |
|---|---|
| Family | Gyrinocheilidae |
| Origin | Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Klong basins, mainland Southeast Asia (not China; aquarium fish, including gold forms, are farm-bred) |
| Adult size | 25 cm (9.8 in) |
| Minimum tank | 80 gallons (303 L), at least 150 cm (59 in) long |
| Temperature | 22–26°C (72–79°F) |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 5–18 dGH |
| Group size | Can live alone |
| Temperament | Aggressive; fights its own kind |
| Swims at | Bottom |
| Diet | Herbivore (mostly plants and algae) |
| Care level | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 8–15 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | No, eats shrimp |
| Safe with plants? | Yes |
Tank setup
One adult needs a large tank: about 80 gallons (303 L) with a 5 ft (150 cm) footprint. Use smooth rocks, driftwood and caves so it can claim a spot and other fish can hide. Hardy plants like Java fern and Anubias tied to decor work well. Good flow and oxygen keep it healthy.
How many chinese algae eaters in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits chinese algae eaters is a 125 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Chinese algae eaters (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | Too small |
| 29 gallon | Too small |
| 40 gallon | Too small |
| 55 gallon | Too small |
| 75 gallon | Too small |
| 125 gallon | Up to 9 |
Numbers are bioload limits only. Keep only one per tank.
What you need for chinese algae eaters
Sized for a 125 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits chinese algae eaters. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 125 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 125 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 1043 lb (473 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- 2 adjustable heaters, 200 W each (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 75 °F (24 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). Two heaters keep the tank warm if one fails. How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Canister filter rated 750–1250 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Heavily stocked or messy fish: 6–10 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 150 lb of aquarium gravel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Smooth gravel suits most community fish. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 72 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for chinese algae eaters
- Algae wafers (opens Amazon in a new tab)Sinking food for plecos, otocinclus and other grazers. How to choose
- Caves and hides (opens Amazon in a new tab)Gives shy and territorial fish their own space.
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Water parameters
Keep it at 22–26°C (72–79°F), pH 6.5–7.5 and soft to fairly hard water. It tolerates a wide range, but long periods at the extremes stress it. Keep nitrate low with strong filtration and weekly partial water changes.
Best tank mates for chinese algae eaters
These popular species share chinese algae eaters' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 8 good matches.
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Oscar
30 cm (11.8 in) · 23–27°C (73–81°F)
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Ramshorn snail
2 cm (0.8 in) · 21–27°C (70–81°F)
Malaysian trumpet snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 20–27°C (68–81°F)
Mystery snail
5 cm (2 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
Jewel cichlid
10 cm (3.9 in) · 24–27°C (75–81°F)
Green terror
20 cm (7.9 in) · 20–24°C (68–75°F)
Avoid keeping chinese algae eaters with
- Bristlenose pleco: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful bristlenose plecos.
- Bronze corydoras: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful bronze corydoras.
- Cherry shrimp: Chinese algae eater eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
- Common goldfish: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful common goldfish.
- Common pleco: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful common plecos.
- Dwarf gourami: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf gouramis.
Feeding
It mostly grazes algae and biofilm, but it can't live on tank algae alone. Feed algae wafers or sinking spirulina pellets daily, plus blanched zucchini, cucumber, peas or spinach. Offer small frozen foods like bloodworms or daphnia once or twice a week.
Behavior
Young fish are fairly calm, but adults become territorial and chase bottom-dwellers and look-alikes such as Siamese algae eaters, flying foxes and red-tail sharks. Adults may also latch onto slow, flat-sided fish like angelfish, discus and goldfish to eat their slime coat, which can injure them. It is a poor fit for most community tanks. If you add tankmates, keep one CAE and choose only fast, robust fish that stay near the top, and watch for chasing or latching.
Breeding
It is almost never bred in home aquariums. Farms in Asia spawn it with hormones, and they produce the gold, albino and marbled forms sold in stores. Mature females look rounder, and males may grow small bumps on the snout.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Despite the name, it isn't from China and isn't a true loach.
- Never house it with angelfish, discus, goldfish or bettas. Adults may suck on their sides.
- Keep only one, and add it last so it can't claim the whole tank.
- It eats less algae as it grows. Plan its diet around wafers and vegetables.
- If you add tankmates, pick fast, robust fish like giant danios or larger barbs, and skip other sucker-mouthed or striped algae eaters.
Frequently asked questions
How big do Chinese algae eaters get?
Most reach about 10 in (25 cm) in a large aquarium, and big ones grow to 11 in (28 cm) or a little more. They are sold at 1–2 in, so many buyers don't expect the size.
Are Chinese algae eaters aggressive?
Young ones are mild, but adults become territorial and aggressive. They chase similar fish and may latch onto slow, flat-bodied fish to feed on their slime coat, so they suit few community tanks.
What is the difference between a Chinese algae eater and a Siamese algae eater?
The Chinese algae eater has a large sucker mouth, grows much bigger and gets more aggressive. The Siamese algae eater is slimmer, has a clean black stripe to the tail tip and stays more peaceful.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.