Siamese Algae Eater

The Siamese algae-eater has a black horizontal stripe extending from nose to end of tail. The stripe can quickly fade to camouflage the fish against its surroundings, which is observed during fights or stress. Genuine Crossocheilus siamensis, without maxillary barbels and with deeply fringed V-shaped upper lip are rarely encountered in the aquarium trade. Siamese algae-eaters can grow up to 15 centimetres (6 inches) within two years, and live for over 10 years in optimal conditions. They are valued in the aquarium trade for being the only known fish species to consume red algae, including ‘black brush’ or ‘beard’ algae. Closely related is the red algae-eater Crossocheilus langei, a species that is widely sold as the Siamese algae-eater. It has a bright brownish elongate body with a slightly flat belly. It has a prominent brown-black horizontal stripe extending from nose to tail. This fish may grow to measure up to 16 centimetres (6.3 in). It possesses small maxillary barbels and an unfringed shallowly arcuate upper lip. Two other similar species are traded as Siamese algae-eaters, namely Crossocheilus atrilimes, a species that prefers Java moss to red algae, and an undescribed species of Crossocheilus.