Chineese Algae Eater Questions....

[Poofaye C.]

I've always fed my Chineese algae eaters squash/zucchini slices twice a week. I figure in the tank, the algae runs low sometimes. The problem is my algae eater has gotten picky. He doesn't want anything to do with the veggies anymore.
Is he going to eventually run completely out of algae and starve?
Can anyone suggest a safe alternative?
Is there a safe fruit out there or do they contain typically too much sugar?

[Red]

No fish will let themselves starve to death... I would wait a week or two and then try feeding veggies, if not that means he is full grown CAE and will start to become a meat eater and become very mean, but some times CAE wont become like that.

[Poofaye C.]

No fish will let themselves starve to death... I would wait a week or two and then try feeding veggies, if not that means he is full grown CAE and will start to become a meat eater and become very mean, but some times CAE wont become like that.
CAE becoming meat eaters huh? Neve heard of that before. So he might be eating flake food, shrimp pellets, sinking pellets, etc....the whole time? So as they mature they become omnivorous. Anything else you can suggest feeding them once they hit maturity?

[Wild Turkey]

Yup as they mature they stop eating algae almost completely. There is a similar species thats becoming more popular as it doesnt stop eating algae and from what i hear it does a much better job at it...*looks it up* ....Siamese Algae Eater...man my memory is horrible.

[Poofaye C.]

Yup as they mature they stop eating algae almost completely. There is a similar species thats becoming more popular as it doesnt stop eating algae and from what i hear it does a much better job at it...*looks it up* ....Siamese Algae Eater...man my memory is horrible.
Did some research on the SAE, very impressed. I'll be looking for a few of them soon.

[mac]

Hi,
Yes that is one problem with CAE's, as the mature they start to change diets.

But fortunately there is a substitute. The SAE's. Just make show that you don't buy the wrong ones. A lot of people fail to understand, did not know that their is a difference between the Flying Fox and the SAE's. Well their is. And a large difference. They do look similar in body shape. But the SAE's has only a black stripe running from the tip of it's nose right to the end of it's tail fine. While the Flying fox dose not. Well not all the time. SOme times they do have the stripe like a SAE. And a mature flying fox has slight red tips to it's fines.

Here is a Flying Fox.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]


Here is a SAE.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Hope this helps.

mac

[Poofaye C.]

Yeah....I was reading about this. Your pics you linked should help. I think I can almost distinguish between the two now.
thanks mac.

[mac]

Yeah....I was reading about this. Your pics you linked should help. I think I can almost distinguish between the two now.
thanks mac.


Most welcome.
Just be carful when choosing the young fish. They can look similar. But their is a difference.

mac

[smaug]

I have a 3 year old cae that still eats algae as well as any other food item that he can get.Maybe mine is an exception but he is not a bully at all,the sae are actually far more aggressive in my tank then he is.

[mac]

I have a 3 year old cae that still eats algae as well as any other food item that he can get.Maybe mine is an exception but he is not a bully at all,the sae are actually far more aggressive in my tank then he is.

Hi,
You mean you only have one SAE. These fish can live by them sleves, but they are a schooling fish. And consiquently require a school.


But are you totally positive you have a SAE? A lot of people think Flying Fox are SAE's, because they look similare.

Can you please post a pic of your possible SAE to tell if it is a SAE or a Flying Fox.

mac

[smaug]

Hi,
You mean you only have one SAE. These fish can live by them sleves, but they are a schooling fish. And consiquently require a school.


But are you totally positive you have a SAE? A lot of people think Flying Fox are SAE's, because they look similare.

Can you please post a pic of your possible SAE to tell if it is a SAE or a Flying Fox.

mac
I have a CAE read CHINESE algae eater.I also have 2 SAE,read siamese algae eater.Yes I am quite positive of my fish.Thanks for your concern.

[mac]

I have a CAE read CHINESE algae eater.I also have 2 SAE,read siamese algae eater.Yes I am quite positive of my fish.Thanks for your concern.


I understand what CAE and SAE means.

But I also know that a lot of people who say that their SAE's are aggressive don't have SAE's, but the Flying Fox.

A true SAE is not a nippy feisty aggressive fish. That is why I am asking, can you please post a pic so I can make shaw you do have the true SAE and not the Flying Fox.

Cheers,
mac

[smaug]

I understand what CAE and SAE means.

But I also know that a lot of people who say that their SAE's are aggressive don't have SAE's, but the Flying Fox.

A true SAE is not a nippy feisty aggressive fish. That is why I am asking, can you please post a pic so I can make shaw you do have the true SAE and not the Flying Fox.

Cheers,
mac
Geez mac:c2: I never said my SAE were nippy or overly aggressive,I said they are more aggressive then my very laid back cae.I assure you mac,I don't need your assistance in identifying any fish I have or have had,thank you so very much though for offering your very kind assistance to yet another one of my posts,it is SO much appreciated.:19:

[mac]

Hi,
Your most welcome. Glad to be of some help.

Cheers,
mac