SAE vs others

The SAE, or Siamese Algae Eater is one of the few fish that will eat brush or beard algae, so often is counted among the arsenal of planted tank enthusiasts. They have been also been confused with almost every other fish imaginable, from Flying Foxes to Otocinclus catfish. Below is a true SAE.

Image of a True "SAE" (click for enlargement) Courtesy of James Forgan

SAE's are most commonly confused with the Flying Fox, and the False Siamensis. What's worse is that often the SAE is called the Siamese Flying Fox. That does not mean a Flying Fox is the same as a SAE. Both the False siamensis, and Flying Fox have a gold to white stripe above the black lateral stripe the SAE is famous for. They are also both more spastic in a tank, and more likely to be sitting on the tank bottom or ornaments, while young SAE's are almost always moving, cleaning something, or schooling.

Image of False siamensis Image provided by Mia Woodman

Flying Fox image can be found at http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/gfox.html

Strangely enough these fish are also confused with Chinese Algae Eaters, the most spastic fish you can buy. These fish are normally olive-green-yellow with a black lateral stripe, or broken lateral pattern. They are also very aggressive later in life, and not suited to a community tank.

Chinese Algae Eater image http://www.biology.ualberta.ca...s_aymonieri_2.jpg

Also:

Image provided by Eric Naus

Image provided by Mia Woodman

Characteristics

Siamese Algae Eater (SAE)

• Two forward facing whiskers
• Black lateral stripe, going into tail
• Clear fins with no white, or yellow markings
• No pronounced suction mouth
• Hovers in place while cleaning leaves, schools with like kind

False SAE

• No Visible whiskers
• Black lateral stripe, not continuing into tail
• Gold stripe above lateral black stripe
• Yellow-red fins, not tipped in white
• Sucker mouth when at rest
• Very spastic in nature, very rarely still or hovering, semi-aggressive to like kind

Flying Fox

• 2 forward whiskers, 2 others
• Black lateral stripe into tail
• Gold stripe above lateral black stripe
• Yellow-red fins, tipped in white over 2 inches
• No sucker mouth
• Semi-aggressive with everything, not a schooler when older

Chinese Algae Eater (CAE)

• no whiskers, sucker mouth
• brown pattern or line on side, mimicing lateral stripe
• Yellow-olive green body color
• Fins marked by spots, stripes
• Sucker mouth
• Semi-aggressive, very energetic

References:

• http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/cyprinid.html -- Algae Eating Cyprinids, by Neil Frank and Liisa Sarakontu
• http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/siamensis.html -- FAQ on SAE
• http://www.wetwebmedia.com/saesagb.htm -- Will the Real SAE Please Swim Forward?

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