SAE's and False SAE

**Lady Hobbs** · 02-19-2010, 01:31 PM

http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/cyprinid.html

This is a great article, I think, explaining the False Siamese, True Siamese and the Flying Fox. I have never been able to tell the actual False SAE from the real SAE until I read this article and could see the actual drawings of the two.

Both have two sets of barbels but the false SAE has a strip that stops where the tail begans and the strip is different. True SAE has a strip that extends all the way thru it's tail and sits on the bottom of the tank on it's fins, unlike the false SAE. The false is also more aggressive, which was interesting.

Hope this article explains the difference of the two as it did for me. Unfortunately, all I can find around here are the CAE's which are mean, lazy and aggressive.

Thank you Aquatic Gardeners for sharing your information.

**Sharkman** · 02-19-2010, 01:34 PM

That's good info. I always wonder if mine is a flying fox or a true SAE. I still believe it is a true SAE and that article helped me to make up my mind.

**Lady Hobbs** · 02-19-2010, 01:37 PM

I found it very helpful. It was easier for me to look at the drawings that photos of them.

I believe this should be moved but not sure where to put it. Seems I read SAE are from the Barb family so wasn't sure if this should go in the catfish section, Barb section or with plants! I will move when directed to the proper spot. Thanks

edited to add:
I have moved to the algae section since this is the reason we buy them! Another interesting thing I just read is that the True SAE are schooling fish and like to work as teams where the CAE's and False SAE's can barely get along with themselves.

**lowlight** · 02-20-2010, 09:54 AM

I have 2 true SAE and they do hang out with each other once in awhile. They will chase each other away when they eat and sometimes just chase each other but it is all harmless. Here is another link. http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/ I was fortunate to have found these fish, I have only seen 1 in the 6 years I've had them.

**Lady Hobbs** · 02-20-2010, 12:52 PM

If shipping wasn't so costly, I'd order a dozen from here http://www.azgardens.com/p-163-algae...-true-sae.aspx but for now will fight the algae off the hard way.

**gabbyguppy** · 02-20-2010, 01:46 PM

You can also look for the black smudge on their underside to ID the SAE.

Karen

**Lukenasia** · 02-28-2010, 02:39 PM

That confirms that the 3 little guys I have are infact False SAEs and not the flying foxes they were advertised to be, however I knew they truely weren't even before I bought them because of the lack of stripe on the tail. Either way all 3 of them are happy healthy fish, who sometimes do chase each other but nothing really "aggressive".

They also have some cool red, blue and yellow colouration on the fins which I think is awesome.

**annageckos** · 02-28-2010, 02:40 PM

I have three true SAE, but I got lucky in finding them. There was a whole tank marked True SAE but they weren't. But I did spot three in a planted tank and got them. The like to school with my Pareutropius buffei, which have the same markings. Once you know what you are looking for they are not that hard to spot.

**Lady Hobbs** · 02-28-2010, 02:43 PM

From what I'm reading, more false ones are sold in stores than the true SAE's. Good to know what to look for. Without this article, I never would have been able to tell.