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Siamese algae eater (Crossocheilus atrilimes) — Cyprinidae

Siamese algae eater

Crossocheilus atrilimes
Family: Cyprinidae

The Siamese algae eater (Crossocheilus atrilimes) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Siamese algae eater is an algae eater (Cyprinidae) from clear, flowing rivers and streams of the Mekong basin in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a dark longitudinal stripe and an inferior mouth with fleshy, rasping lips with which it grazes growth from stones and wood. As a social bottom-dweller it eats algae, biofilm and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Siamese algae eater?

The Siamese algae eater has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Siamese algae eater live?

The Siamese algae eater lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Siamese algae eater get?

The Siamese algae eater grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Siamese algae eater dangerous to humans?

No, the Siamese algae eater is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Siamese algeneter sourced
English name
Siamese algae eater sourced
Scientific name
Crossocheilus atrilimes
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Crossocheilus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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