Marbled Algae Eater

[Mrs.JP]

Has anyone had these or have seen them? I was told that they were Siamese algae eaters. But I haven't been able to find any info on this variety. Does anyone have a good website on them?
Here are some pics there not the greatest but you can get an idea.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f350/MrsJP/100_3309-1.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f350/MrsJP/100_3310-1.jpg

[WaterPond]

Its not a new variety from what i know of, its just a golden algae eater, as it gros the brown should fade. I had one do the same thing.

[Melody]

This is an adult Golden Algae Eater:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-GoldenAlgaeEater-2.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-Peas.jpg


This is a Siamese Algae Eater:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-Siamensis.jpg


Does that help at all?:smile:

[thegrandpoohbah]

Golden/marbled algae eater = Chinese sucking loach. When it gets bigger it will stop eating algae and has the potential to become aggressive and attack other fish. They like to latch onto bigger fish and suck on their slime coats.

[Melody]

I didn't find that with the Gold variety - he was very passive, but a good fry hunter. The Chinese Algae Eater was nasty though...

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-ChineseAlgaeEater-4.jpg


That's not to say all the gold variety are safe, but that's how it went in my tanks anways. The gold also stayed quite small, so maybe that had something to do with it. You would never catch that many fish around the CAE, but they weren't afraid at all of the gold variety.

[Mrs.JP]

Thanks everyone. I hope they don't get aggressive. I am a little POed right now, I knew the reputation of the chinese algae eater and didn't want any but I did want the siamese so when the guy at the store said they were a siamese algae eater I thought great and bought 2. But I can't really be mad at the guy because when I googled golden algae eater I found siamese as one of there names also, I can't fault the fellow for repeating the info they get in there shipments. I will be letting them know what I found out I am sure he will appreciate it, they have always been very helpful.
I wish I could get a clearer picture to show the difference in the markings they do look a bit different.One has the spoted markings that are in the last picture Melody posted, and the other one has solid markings.

[thegrandpoohbah]

Here's a great article on how to tell the difference: http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/.

[Melody]

Thanks everyone. I hope they don't get aggressive. I am a little POed right now, I knew the reputation of the chinese algae eater and didn't want any but I did want the siamese so when the guy at the store said they were a siamese algae eater I thought great and bought 2. But I can't really be mad at the guy because when I googled golden algae eater I found siamese as one of there names also, I can't fault the fellow for repeating the info they get in there shipments. I will be letting them know what I found out I am sure he will appreciate it, they have always been very helpful.
I wish I could get a clearer picture to show the difference in the markings they do look a bit different.One has the spoted markings that are in the last picture Melody posted, and the other one has solid markings.

You are a very reasonable and understanding hobbyist. What is their return policy like? They may take them back since it's a matter of aggression and you weren't warned about that.

My CAE did fine in a Cichlid tank, the Gold CAE did fine in a community tank. I don't hear much good about their personalities though, so it might be best to unload them while you can.::(: