Chinese algae eater
Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
Photo: Gourami Watcher · Public domain
- Tank length
- 150 cmabout 5 ft (59 in)
- Start with
- 1
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C75–82 °F
- pH
- 6–8
- Adult size
- 20 cm8 in
- Lifespan
- 10–20 yrs
Adults can harass other fish and outgrow small algae-control roles.Adults can harass other fish and outgrow small algae-control roles.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
DiscusCheck Chinese algae eater with DiscusCheck Chinese algae eater with Discus
- Alligator gar
Alligator gar may eat Chinese algae eaterAlligator gar may eat Chinese algae eater
- Arapaima
Arapaima may eat Chinese algae eaterArapaima may eat Chinese algae eater
- Asian arowana
Asian arowana may eat Chinese algae eaterAsian arowana may eat Chinese algae eater
- Bullseye snakehead
Bullseye snakehead may eat Chinese algae eaterBullseye snakehead may eat Chinese algae eater
- Channel catfish
No shared temperature rangeNo shared temperature range
- Clown knifefish
Clown knifefish may eat Chinese algae eaterClown knifefish may eat Chinese algae eater
Common goldfishNo shared temperature rangeNo shared temperature range
- Cuban gar
Cuban gar may eat Chinese algae eaterCuban gar may eat Chinese algae eater
- Dourada
Dourada may eat Chinese algae eaterDourada may eat Chinese algae eater
Fancy goldfishNo shared temperature rangeNo shared temperature range
- Fire eel
Fire eel may eat Chinese algae eaterFire eel may eat Chinese algae eater
Data used by the planner
| Temperature | 24–28 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04; agrees with FishBase (fishbase.se), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 6–8 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04; agrees with FishBase (fishbase.se), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Hardness (dGH) | 5–15 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · low confidence |
| Origin | Tropical freshwater; regional origin needs review | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Beginner friendly | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Care level | advanced | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Activity | active | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Swimming level | bottom | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Temperament | aggressive | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Nips fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Long fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Territorial | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lives in groups | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum group | 1 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Diet | herbivore | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lifespan (years) | 10–20 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Months to adult size | 24 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Safe with plants | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum tank length | 150 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |