Common name
Chinese algae eater
Scientific name
Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
Category
Freshwater fish
Group
Algae grazers and shark-like cyprinids
Environment
Large current-rich freshwater aquarium with high oxygenation, robust décor and strong filtration
Origin
Mainland Southeast Asian river systems including Mekong, Chao Phraya and Malay Peninsula drainages
Care level
Intermediate to advanced
Adult size
Up to about 28 cm standard length
Expected lifespan
About 6–12 years
Minimum housing
At least 450 L with a long footprint, current, refuge and robust tankmates
Temperature
22–27 °C
pH
6.0–8.0
Hardness / minerals
Soft to moderately hard
Salinity
Freshwater, 0 ppt
Lighting
Moderate to bright over mature grazing surfaces with shaded refuge
Placement / swimming zone
Bottom, hard surfaces and lower water

Identity and search names

Single-species profile for Gyrinocheilus aymonieri, including golden colour morphs. Do not confuse it with Siamese algae eaters or hillstream loaches. Search names: sucking loach, golden algae eater

Environment and housing

Strong clean flow, high dissolved oxygen, broad grazing surfaces, secure heavy décor, guarded intakes and powerful biological filtration

Feeding and nutrition

Feeding ecology: Ontogenetically changing omnivore; juveniles graze algae and biofilm, while adults also require substantial prepared and animal foods

Feeding routine: Offer measured sinking foods, vegetables and protein-rich items once or twice daily; do not rely on visible algae

Breeding and reproduction

Large-scale or specialised breeding; routine home-aquarium reproduction is uncommon

Parental care: No dependable parental-care role documented for routine aquarium management

System demands

Filtration: Use mature biological filtration sized for the adult stock and feeding load, with guarded intakes and a flow pattern the species can use without continual effort.

Aeration: Maintain strong gas exchange and stable dissolved oxygen, especially overnight, during warm weather, medication, crowding or any interruption to filtration.

Maintenance: Test ammonia and nitrite after changes or abnormal behaviour; remove waste from the occupied zone and perform regular water changes matched to temperature and mineral chemistry.

Detailed husbandry

Identity scope
Single-species profile for Gyrinocheilus aymonieri, including golden colour morphs. Do not confuse it with Siamese algae eaters or hillstream loaches.
Adult size and space
Up to about 28 cm standard length. At least 450 L with a long footprint, current, refuge and robust tankmates. Adult dimensions, activity, social structure and waste production matter more than sale size.
Social structure
Usually keep one adult unless an exceptionally large structured system supports more
Swimming zone
Primary zone: Bottom, hard surfaces and lower water. Keep that zone usable and provide unobstructed feeding access, movement and refuge appropriate to the species.
Feeding ecology
Ontogenetically changing omnivore; juveniles graze algae and biofilm, while adults also require substantial prepared and animal foods
Feeding plan
Offer measured sinking foods, vegetables and protein-rich items once or twice daily; do not rely on visible algae
Water stability
Maintain 22–27 °C; pH: 6.0–8.0; hardness/minerals: Soft to moderately hard. Stable temperature, oxygen, mineral chemistry and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing a single exact number.
Habitat structure
Strong clean flow, high dissolved oxygen, broad grazing surfaces, secure heavy décor, guarded intakes and powerful biological filtration
Compatibility plan
Use robust fast-moving fish too large to be harassed easily; avoid discus, goldfish and other broad-bodied or slow fish vulnerable to slime-coat rasping
Breeding plan
Large-scale or specialised breeding; routine home-aquarium reproduction is uncommon. Parental care: No dependable parental-care role documented for routine aquarium management. Do not trigger reproduction without capacity for aggression, eggs or fry and lawful long-term placement.
Quarantine
Quarantine new fish in a separate cycled aquarium with dedicated nets, containers and siphons. Match temperature and mineral chemistry gradually, confirm normal feeding, respiration, skin, fins and waste, and never pour transport water into the established aquarium.
Welfare checks
Check adult aggression, slime-coat injuries on tankmates, abdominal condition, grazing and prepared-food intake, respiration and access to high-flow refuge.
Biosecurity and release
Never release fish, eggs, fry, aquarium water, sediment, plants or foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Check the exact accepted identity in current BICON, Australian live-fish import requirements and applicable South Australian rules before import, sale or movement; import eligibility does not authorise release or wild collection.
Main risk
Juveniles are sold as algae cleaners, but adults can exceed 25 cm, become territorial and attach to slow fish. Buying one for algae control creates a predictable long-term welfare problem.
Adult Projected Load
High. Adults can exceed 25 cm, produce substantial waste and become territorial; juvenile algae-grazing behaviour does not predict adult space, diet or compatibility needs.
Filtration
Use oversized mature filtration with strong mechanical capture, guarded intakes and circulation through all bottom territories and refuges.
Aeration
Maintain strong gas exchange and oxygenated bottom water, especially as adult biomass and protein feeding increase.
Maintenance
Siphon concentrated waste, clean prefilters before flow declines, inspect tankmates for rasping injuries and provide a realistic adult rehoming plan before purchase.
Overridable Warnings
Do not override adult-size, territorial, attachment-injury or rehoming warnings. This species is not a permanent low-impact algae-control tool.

Welfare and risk

Main risk

Juveniles are sold as algae cleaners, but adults can exceed 25 cm, become territorial and attach to slow fish. Buying one for algae control creates a predictable long-term welfare problem.

Check adult aggression, slime-coat injuries on tankmates, abdominal condition, grazing and prepared-food intake, respiration and access to high-flow refuge.

Non-overridable warning

Do not override adult-size, territorial, attachment-injury or rehoming warnings. This species is not a permanent low-impact algae-control tool.

Sources

Source note

CURRENT