Siamese Algae Eaters

[Ben Mills]

So I’m going to add some SAE to a 20 gallon. Online some sites said only add one to that size tank, but when I called my local store they said I should do 3. Any suggestions?

[Ben Mills]

So I’m going to add some SAE to a 20 gallon. Online some sites said only add one to that size tank, but when I called my local store they said I should do 3. Any suggestions?

[Ben Mills]

Sorry for the tech problems posting this. I am trying to get some SAE for my 20gal. Some online sites said to do only one, but the store I am going to buy from said to do 3. Any suggestions?

[Mmiller2001]

They get big, do some research. I'd only get one, but that's me.

[Bru]

This is coming from someone who has never kept SAE but I'd probably start with one and see how it goes. It sounds like they're pretty voracious eaters and I'm constantly growing hair algae in my tanks but then I read they may eat my shrimp so I decided against keeping them. I heard they get upwards to 6 inches and that seems a little big to keep a group of them in 20 gallons.

[lefty o]

ive had them, and wouldnt do more than 1 in 20. they get about 6".

[TheAdmiral]

I have 2 in my 20 high and 3 in my 40 breeder. The largest is about 3" currently. As they start to outgrow the tank, I move them to larger tanks. 20g is honestly going to be too small for a full grown adult, but if you plan to move them to larger tanks, it's ok to start with a few. If you don't have larger tanks to migrate them to but want amazing algae eaters, get a fleet of Amano Shrimp! 

[Streetwise]

I have two each in my 16 and 20. They are way more social than I expected, and they help make the Otocinclus feel more safe to roam. I am keeping my eye on their size.

[Tanked]

I am keeping 3 SAEs in a 29.  If they make it to their full potential, I can move them, but as @Streetwise mentioned, they are very social.  They are also a lot more entertaining than the other fish.

I usually buy my fish in groups of three, but you could split the difference and purchase at least two.

[anewbie]

No way i would put them in anything smaller than a 4 foot tank. Mind you buying a small one or 3 and growing them out for a while in a 29 will work but after a year they will require a larger tank. Not only are they large (around 6 inch) they can be extremely active and require a bit of room. I have one in my 120 and when i upgrade to a 450 i'll get 3 more.

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If you want something similar but correctly sized for a 29 - get 3 otto or a 8 or 9 if you like.

Edited May 21, 2021 by anewbie