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Siamese algae eater, Crossocheilus oblongus

Other fish · Crossocheilus

Siamese algae eater

Crossocheilus oblongus · Streams of Thailand and the Malay Peninsula

Photo: User:Ark pl wiki, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Siamese algae eater (Crossocheilus oblongus) is a freshwater fish from Streams of Thailand and the Malay Peninsula, where it lives in stream habitat. Adults reach about 15 cm (5.9 in). Keep it at 24–26 °C (75–79 °F) and pH 6.5–7, with a gentle current. It is peaceful and does best in a group of 3 or more.

At a glance

Water temperature

24–26 °C 75–79 °F

pH

6.5–7 neutral water

Adult size

15 cm 5.9 in

Swims

Bottom and mid-water mostly on the floor and in caves

Keep together

3 or more a shoal feels safe

Current

Gentle a steady gentle flow

Food

Grazer

Temperament

Peaceful

≈ Every value here is an estimate from typical hobby ranges. We're checking them against sources.

Where it comes from

Home water

Streams of Thailand and the Malay Peninsula

Lives in stream habitat.

The dot marks where it's collected. Home from iNaturalist native sightings (21). Map: Natural Earth.

Tank mates

Checked against a roomy 300 L planted tank with moderate flow and plenty of caves. Your own tank may change the answer: try it in Your tanks.

In the hobby

In stock now

Not in stock at any store we track.

Tanks with this fish

No shared tanks have this fish yet. Share yours from Your tanks.

From keepers

Notes appear here when a keeper shares a tank with this fish and writes about it.

Questions keepers ask

How big does a Siamese algae eater get?

About 15 cm (5.9 in) as an adult.

What temperature does a Siamese algae eater need?

24–26 °C (75–79 °F).

What pH does a Siamese algae eater need?

pH 6.5–7.

Does a Siamese algae eater need to be kept in a group?

Yes. Keep at least 3.

Is the Siamese algae eater aggressive?

No. It is peaceful with fish that suit the same water.

Where does the Siamese algae eater come from?

Streams of Thailand and the Malay Peninsula.

What fish can live with a Siamese algae eater?

Good tank mates include Peppermint bristlenose (L181), Flash pleco (L204), Amano shrimp, Bolivian ram, Bronze corydoras.

All the numbers

Temperature min (°C)24 Estimate
Temperature max (°C)26 Estimate
pH min6.5 Estimate
pH max7 Estimate
Adult size (cm)15 Estimate
FlowModerate Estimate
Habitatstream Estimate
Smallest happy group3 Estimate
TemperamentPeaceful Estimate
DietGrazer Estimate
Typical price min (CAD)4 Estimate
Typical price max (CAD)8 Estimate

Some values are estimates from typical hobby ranges and haven't been checked against a source yet.