What Fish Can Chinese Algae Eaters Live With?

Chinese algae eaters grow to 11 inches in length and tend to be aggressive in the confines of the average home aquarium. These algae eaters have the habit of sucking body mucus from the sides of larger flat-bodied tank mates and can cause damage to the scales of these fish. Individual Chinese algae eaters may also chase small to medium sized midwater fish and as adults, and should ideally not be included in a community aquarium. These tropical fish, which do best in a temperature range between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, also tend to jump out of tanks that are not closed.

  1. Catfish

    • Juvenile Chinese algae eaters are peaceful and can easily be housed with many catfish species. Catfish feed mainly on algae and tend to spread themselves out within the aquarium, as they graze on algae that is growing on the glass, substrate or aquarium decor. Most catfish types are non-territorial and will not bother each other, although it is best to supply enough hiding and resting places, in the form of hollow logs or plastic aquarium ornaments. As adults, the Chinese algae eater becomes more territorial and unless it is part of a mated pair, and only one should be included per aquarium. Adult Chinese algae eaters may also be aggressive to smaller catfish species.

    Assorted Live-Bearers

    • The different species of live-bearers are midwater dwellers that do not compete with bottom dwelling Chinese algae eaters for food or territories. These live-bearers, such as guppies, mollies and swordtails can safely be housed with either young or adult Chinese algae eaters. Live-bearers are small to medium sized fish that do not possess bodies large enough for the Chinese algae eater to attach to and are normally ignored by this catfish species in a large aquarium of over 60 gallons.

    Predators

    • Most predatory fish swallow their prey whole and target fish that can fit into their mouths. Adult Chinese algae eaters can therefore safely be housed with most predatory fish, including oscars and arowanas, provided they are large enough not to be seen as prey.

    Water Requirements

    • Chinese algae eaters are best kept in warm water with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5 and should therefore be housed with fish species with similar needs. As these algae eaters are comfortable in both soft and slightly hard water, they can be included in aquariums with tetras, loaches and South American cichlids, which require a pH of less than 7 as well as in tanks with some African cichlids, which need to be kept in water with a pH above 7.