Wannabe Monster Algae Eater

[DrDoNothing]

I inherited an algae eater from some neighbors that is about 5 inches and fat. Hangs out with a couple 10" bichirs and 4 half-grown cichlids. They give him a WIDE birth generally. When you see them all tiny and cute in the store, it doesn't give you much idea of what they can become. I thought I'd share him with you so you'd see. He's pretty much done growing.

 

[limz_777]

nice albino cae

 

[Nutish]

Siamese Algae eater!!

 

[mowielx]

looks great, i dislike them as they are actually quite aggressive.

 

[BassinAssassin76]

awesome I have never seen an albino CAE before

 

[Fat Homer]

looks great, i dislike them as they are actually quite aggressive.

Agreed, i used to have two in my tank, and one in particular used to like sucking the slime coat off my palembang puffer, so needless to say i got rid of them and replaced them with some ottos (which actually eat algae).... just be warned that as yours grow, they may start to eat less and less algae until eventually pretty much stop eating it all together...

 

[GarNiac]

you need to be aware that CAE become predator at mature size, like yours. They will suck out your other fish eyes in the tank, they will also suck up the slime coat of your bichirs, they love slimes. I suggest you put that CAE into a separate tank.
They are wonderfull fish indeed, but their characters are not as good as you think they are, as they will harm your other fishes in the tank.
cheers

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

that CAE is a beast, but I'd worry about it going after the slime coat on cichlids like sevs and chocolates