Siamese Algae Eater Care Guide: The Ultimate Algae Destroyer for Your Aquarium

We’re going to be talking about the Siamese algae eater. This is a great fish, especially if you have black beard or green hair algae issues in your aquarium. The Siamese algae eater is a fantastic fish. It is a great fish and has been an absolute workhorse for us in the fish room gallery. I’ll explain why as we go through this blog. A special thanks to Picasso Exotic Aquatics in Lenexa, KS, for allowing us to film their fish and display tank. So if you’re ever in the area, check them out. Their information is in the description below.

As I mentioned, this is an awesome fish. Right now, you’re seeing a fish that’s around 2 1/2 inches long. That’s typically the size at which they are sold. However, this fish will grow to around six inches. As we discuss its care, keep in mind that it is a relatively large fish. Females typically grow smaller but may appear slightly rounder. Their temperament is usually pretty good. They are relatively peaceful fish that tend to ignore other species unless those fish look similar, such as the flying fox.

Some loaches at the bottom of the tank might lead to occasional sparring, but nothing too serious. Males can be a little aggressive toward each other, so in smaller tanks, it’s best to keep just one. In larger tanks (4-foot or 6-foot setups), you can keep multiple Siamese algae eaters without issues. The main reason people buy these fish is their reputation as excellent algae eaters. They are highly effective against black beard and green hair algae.

We introduced them into several tanks after noticing an increase in black beard algae. Within about six weeks, most of the black beard algae on our plants and rocks had disappeared. These fish are constantly on the move, always munching, which makes them appealing. The other type of algae they love is green hair algae, making them valuable for tanks with moss.

If you’d like more tips on combating algae, check out our detailed video on the topic, linked in the description. We cover different types of algae and the organisms that consume them.

• The Best Driftwood for Your Aquarium
• Platy Fish Care and Breeding
• 40-Gallon Breeder Tank
• Best Filters for Small Aquariums

Lifespan

These fish can live for a long time. We’ve had them in our fish room for as long as six to eight years, so expect them to be with you for a while.

Tank Mates

If you plan to keep multiple Siamese algae eaters, a four-foot or six-foot tank is best. They generally do well in groups in larger aquariums.

If you’re looking for these fish or others, check out Flip Aquatics at flipaquatics.com. Their information is in the description below. They are a channel sponsor and sell high-quality fish and shrimp. They quarantine their stock to ensure your fish arrive healthy.

In terms of compatibility, Siamese algae eaters tolerate a variety of tank mates. They do well with most tetras, rasboras, and barbs—including fin-nippy varieties like tiger barbs, as they tend to ignore them. Gouramis, corydoras catfish, plecos, and livebearers all make good tank mates.

Water Parameters

These fish are not particularly picky about water conditions. They thrive in temperatures between 70°F and 82°F, with an ideal range of 78°F to 80°F.

The pH range can be anywhere from 6.0 to 8.0, though ours is closer to 8. If you want to understand why pH is such an important parameter, check out the video in the upper right-hand corner.

Water hardness should be between 3 to 12 dGH, with a slightly softer range being more ideal. We keep ours around 10 dGH for both GH and KH, and they do just fine.

Siamese algae eaters do not tolerate poor water quality well. Your tank should be fully cycled, with ammonia and nitrites at zero. Try to keep nitrates below 20 ppm. In planted tanks, slightly higher levels are acceptable.

Feeding

These fish are generally easy to feed. We bring in a lot of fish to sell at swap meets in the Chicago area and they always eat well. We feed them Northfin food, which includes flakes and micro pellets, which they eat with gusto. They also like Northfin kelp wafers, which often create “tornadoes” around them when they eat. 

They will also eat brine shrimp and bloodworms, which makes them easy to feed

Tank Size

I’ve mentioned this throughout the article, but ideally, you should keep them in a 40-gallon tank or larger. A single fish can fit in a 29-gallon, but since they grow to be six inches long, they can become territorial in smaller tanks.

In a 40-gallon tank, one fish is fine. In a 55-gallon tank, you can keep one or three to four. In a 75-gallon tank or larger, a group of four to six is ideal. Aggression increases with age, especially in small, confined spaces.

Aggression is usually reduced in tanks with hiding places, caves, driftwood, and plants.

Substrate and Appearance

Siamese algae eaters interact with the substrate, so sand is preferred, although gravel is also acceptable. The color of the substrate does not significantly affect them, but in a dark tank, their black stripes may blend in more.

Unlike some fish, Siamese algae eaters are not considered show fish. Instead, their value lies in their function – keeping black beard algae and green hair algae under control.

For diatom algae or tough green spot algae, you might consider a Bristlenose Pleco or Mystery Snail.

Breeding

Breeding these fish in captivity is challenging, and there is little information available on how to do it. Most people buy them from pet stores rather than attempt to breed them.

Key Information for Siamese Algae Eater Care

Final Thoughts

If you are considering adding Siamese algae eater fish to your tank, black beard and green hair are excellent for controlling algae. They are relatively peaceful, grow in groups in large tanks, and are easy to care for. However, they are best suited for tanks 40 gallons or larger. Controlling the aggressive behavior of older fish is the main challenge, but overall, they are a great addition to an aquarium to combat algae problems.

Have you kept Siamese algae eaters before? What was your experience?