Is this a Siamese algae eater?

[joe_kroger]

Hey! I went shopping for fish today and bought a Siamese Algae eater but am wondering if it is a true one or a variation. Thanks !

 

[Fresh2o]

That looks like a Chinese algae eater. Was it labeled Siamese? I would return it regardless.
What's with the cichlid in the background? Sleeping?

 

[joe_kroger]

Yeah he is chilling out, it's late where I live and he was taking his nap! He is a fire mouth and is really cool! Are Chinese a bad fish to keep? I need something for the algae in my tank and he is cute.

 

[joe_kroger]

here he is awake!

 

[Fresh2o]

CAE (Chinese algae eaters) might be cute and useful when young, but usually become large, lazy, and aggressive as they mature.
I would use a nerite snail for algae control over most types of fish.

 

[Potluck]

At younger they eat algae, when they get older and bigger they don't really eat algae anymore and as fresh said they get really aggressive

 

[woodcatl493]

Really? I didnt know they got aggressive. And I thought they always ate algae... They did such a good job of it when I had them.
I guess they didn't live that long. They really didn't. Eaten by Goldfish...

 

[joe_kroger]

How long did they live?

 

[woodcatl493]

6-7 months

 

[joe_kroger]

Oh okay! I have a 75 g tank so I have plenty of space. I might keep them because they're my favorite fish

 

[woodcatl493]

Yeah. Same!

 

[IllusionX]

Only 6-7 months? I've had mine for a year+ now.

My CAE don't bother anyone, but will try to suck on slime coat off larger fishes lile angels.

 

[joe_kroger]

I watched a video about that saying they are protein starved and need shrimp pellets and will stop sucking on the side of fish. Just a suggestion

 

[woodcatl493]

Oh, my Goldfish ate them. I know Goldfish don't belong, but I have no where else to out them.

 

[joe_kroger]

Update:
I traded them in and replaced them with a spotted Raphael catfish! He is shy but is cool at night time to watch.