Chinese algae eater?

[amandalou]

Does anyone have a pic of a chinese algae eater? My book does not cover algae eaters very well. I purchased an algae eater about a year ago, and I am becoming increasingly uncertain about its species (Was told it was a chinese). He is a voracious eater; about 1 in long (his size has not changed since the day he was purchased); tan background colour with dark brown spots that disappeared in the winter but reappeared as soon as the weather warmed up. (Spots extend to the fins) He also seems to be more reclusive in the cold weather. (Tank temp constantly ranges around 75.) Not nocturnal. Forked tail. Passive. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Thought he might be a suckermouth catfish or a chinese algae eater. Thoughts? Comments?

[Alf]

Sorry no one has helped you. :( I have no clue. If you posted a Pic of this fish I may be more help. Where are my Mod's in this section? :confused: Come on guy's give this person a hand.

[fishy714]

Does it look like this?http://www.vwlowen.demon.co.uk/fish/chinese.htm

If it is I would be very careful for the fact that they get very aggressive towards other fish. They will start to suck their protective coating. They also get very big some will grow bigger then 6 inches. Hope this helps.

[amandalou]

Thanks for the assistance - yeah, my fish does look quite a bit like the one in the pic. (I will post a pic of mine just as soon as I figure out how to use this scanner.) What do I do with him now?

[fishy714]

Well its up too you what you want to do with him. You can keep him or trade him in. If he isnt harming the other fish then I would just leave him in.

[oscarbartoni]

If it is a year old and only 1 inch long then it might be an "otto" cat which does not get very big. They are good algae eaters and do not get agressive. I hope that this helps.

[ChikenMan]

I have had two otocinclus (plural? cincli, cincluses?) for about 3 or 4 months now. They were about 1 inch when I got them and haven't grown a bit. They look just like the picture in that link and in my book. I was told that they would not get any bigger (ideal for my 10 gal guppy tank) and they are good eaters. My glass and decorations are spotless. However, they don't seem to attack the algae on the gravel too well.