Which is better SAE or Flying fox

[kk_fish]

Which is a good algae eater Siamese algae Eater or the Flying Fox ?

[smaug]

I have 2 SAE,I have no experiance with flying fox.My sae are very good at eating algae even BBA.They are a feisty fish though and I wouldnt recomend more then 1 of them per 25gal.Mine are in a 58 gal so they get some peaceful moments away from each other.They dont mess with other fish but they dont like each other.

[Rocky06fx4]

My book Titled "Freshwater Tanks for Beginners" Says to never buy SAE's.

[Incredulous_Ed]

Flying foxes are generally better for eating brush algae, plus they don't get as aggresive.

[gm72]

My book Titled "Freshwater Tanks for Beginners" Says to never buy SAE's.

Does it explain why?

[Fishalicious]

I have 2 SAE's and so far I have not had any problems and they very often swim together but the tank is 120 Gallons so not sure if the larger size helps or I just got lucky... they are great at eating what algae there is...

EDIT (got worried about what I read as I also have SAE's):
I just read up on the two species and it seems they get mixed up a lot (in shops also) I did find this:
The "Flying Fox" will stop eating algae at older age and become hostile towards other fish, even of its own kind, while the SAE lives peacefully and eats algae throughout its life cycle.

Flying Fox: Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus
SAE: Crossocheilus Siamensis

If you search in google under the scientific names there is a lot of info to be found and it seems it is the SAE that is sweet natured and the flying fox that turns nasty in older age...

The SAE's fins are all transparent and they have 1 set of barbels if you find this in a shop jump on it as it is a true SAE

Here is also interesting info on them:
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

As you can see many can turn quite nasty and also towards each other but a true SAE is a gem ;)

[smaug]

There is alot of confusion between the 2.sae are generally more peaceful then fox.Mine are about 8 months old now and they are like lawn mowers for algae.As far as I know they are the only fish that will touch black brush algae.As for foxes not being as aggressive,the ones ive seen in display tanks were definetly aggressive.

[Dave66]

There is alot of confusion between the 2.sae are generally more peaceful then fox.Mine are about 8 months old now and they are like lawn mowers for algae.As far as I know they are the only fish that will touch black brush algae.As for foxes not being as aggressive,the ones ive seen in display tanks were definetly aggressive.

The flying foxes have to have clumps of plants/driftwood to call its own, and it's very difficult to keep more than one in a tank that's not above 75 gallons.
You're right about the Crossocheilus; they are algae lawn mowers. Much preferable to the CAE, Gyrinocheilus aymonieri, which aren't and grow to complete SOBs.

Dave

[~Erik3.8.07~]

if i had to choose i'd pick siamese algea eater only because i had one in the past that did a wonderfull job of keeping the algea away

[SkarloeysMom]

I've read so much conflicting information about CAE, SAE and Flying Foxes that I think I'll just stick to Otos even though they are pretty sensitive and sometimes a little finicky about the kinds of algae they eat. I'd rather have them than be worried about one of the others getting mean in their old age.

[elmer]

See the link in my signature for comparisons.