Crossocheilus langei BLEEKER, 1860

Siamese Algae Eater

SynonymsTop ↑

Crossocheilos langei Bleeker, 1860

Etymology

Crossocheilus: from the Ancient Greek κροσσός (krossós), meaning ‘fringe, tassel’, and χείλος (cheílos), meaning ‘lip’, in reference to the barbels on the upper lip in members of this genus.

langei: named in honour of E. A. Lange, acting health officer and hospital inspector, Dutch East Indian Army, who forwarded the type specimen to Bleeker.

Classification

Order: Cypriniformes Family: Cyprinidae

Distribution

Currently considered to occur in Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, southern and western Thailand, and possibly southern Myanmar. The distribution of laterally-striped Crossocheilus spp., particularly in Thailand, requires further study as some populations may represent undescribed species.

Type locality is ‘Palembang, Sumatra, Indonesia’.

Habitat

Inhabits flowing streams and tributaries with substrates of boulders, pebbles, gravel and sand, often in areas with submerged driftwood or tree roots. The clear, often shallow, water allows sunlight to penetrate the surface and the development of a rich biofilm covering submerged surfaces upon which the fish browse.

It is thought to undergo seasonal migrations during which it can be found in deeper, more turbid water.

Maximum Standard Length

140 – 150 mm.

Aquarium SizeTop ↑

A group would require an aquarium with base measurements of 150 ∗ 45 cm or equivalent.

Maintenance

This species will do well in most well-maintained tanks but is best-suited to a set-up designed to resemble a flowing river or stream, with a substrate of variably-sized rocks, gravel and some large water-worn boulders.

This can be further furnished with roots and branches arranged to form a network of nooks, crannies and shaded spots. While the majority of plant species will fail to thrive in such surroundings hardy types such as Microsorum, Bolbitis or Anubias spp. can be grown attached to the décor and bright lighting will promote the growth of algae upon which the fish will graze. In this kind of environment it will display more natural behaviour and can be kept alongside other species that enjoy similar conditions.

Like many fishes that naturally inhabit running waters it’s intolerant to the accumulation of organic wastes and requires spotless water at all times in order to thrive. It also does best if there is a high level of dissolved oxygen and a decent level of water movement in the tank so a external filters, powerheads or similar should be employed in order to obtain the desired effect.

Water Conditions

Temperature: 20 – 26 °C

pH: 6.0 – 7.5

Hardness: 18 – 268 ppm

Diet

‘Crossocheilus siamensis’ (see ‘Notes’) is famed as a consumer of ‘black brush’ algae (BBA), also known as ‘red’ or ‘beard’ algae. These members of the Division Rhodophyta can be otherwise difficult to remove once established in aquaria so the ‘species’ has achieved huge popularity among hobbyists who maintain planted set-ups.

Presumably this saleability is also one reason why several fishes, including C. langei, are offered under the name. These do browse on BBA but to varying extents depending on species and in some cases the availability of alternative food sources. C. atrilimes, for example, shows a preference for fine-leaved, higher plants such as Vesicularia spp. but will also feed on various types of algae. C. langei sensu amplo is the most efficient consumer of BBA although some reports state that only younger, softer growths are eaten and that the fish should be introduced prior to any potential outbreak.

In nature Crossocheilus species are aufwuchs grazers feeding on algae, diatoms and other phytoplankton, plus associated microorganisms. The use of high-protein foods in the aquarium should therefore be avoided as the fish are unable to metabolise some components efficiently; regular, prolonged consumption can result in excessive deposits of fat and even organ degeneration.

A good quality dried product(s) with added Spirulina or similar is ideal but plenty of fresh vegetable matter should also be included in the diet. Shelled peas, blanched courgette, spinach and chopped fruit all make good additions to the menu. Once settled into the aquarium the fish sometimes ascend into midwater to feed and in a set-up as described above will often be seen browsing the biofilm that tends to form on the rockwork.

Behaviour and CompatibilityTop ↑

Generally peaceful and can be maintained alongside many of the more popular species in the hobby although it is perhaps preferable to select fishes from from one of its native countries or rivers. Possibilities from Thailand alone include Botia rostrata and Crossocheilus reticulatus plus various Cyclocheilichthys, Devario, Mystacoleucus, Rasbora, Garra, Homaloptera, Lepidocephalichthys, Nemacheilus, Syncrossus, Yasuhikotakia and Schistura species.

Crossocheilus spp. are typically found swimming in loose aggregations in nature and can exhibit shy or skittish behaviour if kept singly or in small numbers. They are shoaling, rather than schooling, fishes which develop a distinct pecking order and are best-maintained in a group of six or more since weaker individuals may be bullied incessantly if smaller numbers are kept. You’ll be rewarded with a more natural-looking display plus interesting behaviour from the fish as they interact with one another.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexually mature females are normally thicker-bodied than males but it’s impossible to accurately sex young fish by external characters.

Reproduction

Not thought to have occured in the hobby although the young fish widely available in the trade are assumed to be farmed via the use of hormones. Members of this genus are known to undergo seasonal reproductive migrations in nature, moving upstream during the dryer months and in the opposite direction when water levels rise.

NotesTop ↑

This species is among a handful of near-identical congeners that are traded as ‘Siamese algae-eater’ (often abbreviated to ‘SAE’), ‘Siamese flying fox’ and ‘Crossocheilus siamensis’. Recent work has shown that name to be a synonym of Epalzeorhynchos siamensis which was described from Tadi province, southern (peninsular) Thailand by Smith (1931) before being moved to Crossocheilus by Bănărescu (1986).

The latter name is not valid, however, and is a synonym of Epalzeorhynchos siamensis which is itself a synonym of Crossocheilus oblongus, a species described from Java. C. oblongus is currently accepted to range throughout Indochina and the Sunda Islands but its identity is unclear although its name is routinely applied to fish in the aquarium trade. It was described as a blueish fish with yellow fins and is almost certainly not the ‘SAE’ in the aquarium hobby.

Separating the species found on sale as ‘C. siamensis’ is tricky but differences do exist if combinations of characters are considered. C. atrilimes is most-easily identified by observing the distance between the vent and anal fin which in this species is only 1.5-2 scale widths compared to 2-3.5 in other species.

The black lateral stripe runs from the snout to the tip of the caudal fin; the eye is pale brown above the pupil and white below; maxillary barbels are not visible; the lateral line is curved; the fins are a pale dusky yellow colour. Depending on mood this species has the ability to change the appearance of the dark body stripe, most obviously during bouts of sparring when it becomes much broader and paler in colour.

C. langei sensu amplo seems to be the other commonly-traded, laterally-striped Crossocheilus and can be told apart from C. atrilimes by the following characters: the eye is reddish-golden above the pupil and white below; it has two pairs of barbels; the lateral line is essentially straight and passes through the centre of the dark body stripe; the fins are brownish.

Although the body stripe becomes paler when the fish are sparring it doesn’t change in width, and a further simple distinguishing trait is the presence of a dark blotch immediately in front of the anal fin on the underside of the fish. This fish is the one most often referred to as ‘Siamese algae eater’ in literature and online, but because it varies slightly with C. langei sensu stricto the possibility that it’s an undescribed species cannot be discounted.

The third fish in the group is an undescribed species sometimes referred to as C. sp. ‘citripinnis’. It’s a larger fish growing to 150 mm SL and possessing a clearly visible pair of maxillary barbels. The fins are lemon yellow in colour, this becoming more intense as the fish mature; the dark body atripe doesn’t alter in width or colour when the fish are sparring; the lateral line is curved and the overall body shape is similar to C. atrilmes meaning they’re easily confused as juveniles. There may also be other, potentially undescribed, species from Thailand being traded as C. siamensis but as yet no detailed study has been conducted.

In 2009 Tan and Kottelata described a new laterally-striped species, C. obscurus, from the Batang Hari river drainage in Sumatra. This species also grows relatively large (to “at least” 5.6″/14.2 cm) and is further distinguished as follows: “one pair of rostral barbels, no maxillary barbels; midlateral stripe with edges not sharply contrasted, slightly curved downward, obscured in largest individuals, continued on median caudal-fin rays, reaching posterior margin; no black mark between anus and anal fin; mouth wide (30-36% HL)”. It’s possible that this one has already appeared in the trade labelled with a different name.

C. oblongus is another name widely misused in the trade but that species has seemingly never been exported and was described as a blueish fish with yellow fins. It’s native to streams of Gunung Salak mountain in Bogor Regency, West Java, Indonesia where collecting of ornamental fishes is almost non-existent. Other species of laterally-striped Crossocheilus also exist and may be available from time-to-time but are more easily told apart from the group described above.

In C. nigriloba, for example, the dark body stripe uniquely breaks up into a series of blotches when the fish are sparring, stressed or sleeping and the lower caudal fin lobe contains dark pigmentation suffused with red, while C. burmicanus exhibits a patch of blue colouration at the base of the pectoral fins.

To add further confusion the vaguely-similar Garra cambodgiensis (itself often referred to incorrectly as G. taeniata) is usually sold with the name ‘false SAE’ although this one is easily-identifiable as the dark lateral stripe ends at the caudal peduncle, all barbels are tiny and it has a disc-like lower jaw which sometimes develops bright red colouration on the outer lips.

Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus is sometimes misidentified as a Crossocheilus sp. but exhibits several distinguishing traits, the most obvious of which are the characteristic white-edged, red and black coloured fins. Also comparable are the Paracrossochilus species from the island of Borneo but these are almost unknown in aquaria.

Members of Crossocheilus are characterised by possessing 8 branched dorsal fin rays, immobile rostral lobes, lacking a dorsal spine and by the fact that the upper and lower lips aren’t connected, the upper being attached to the lower jaw via a thin membrane.

References

1. Bleeker, P., 1860 - Acta Societatis Regiae Scientiarum Indo-Neêrlandicae v. 7 (N. S., v. 2): 1-492 + i-xiii
   De visschen van den Indischen Archipel, Beschreven en Toegelicht. Deel II.
2. Bănărescu, P. M., 1986 - Travaux du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle 28: 141-161
   A review of the species of Crossocheilus, Epalzeorhynchos and Paracrossochilus (Pisces, Cyprinidae).
3. Kottelat, M., 2003 - Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 51(2): 399-401
   Nomenclatural status of Crossocheilus burmanicus, C. horai and C. multirastellatus (Osteichthyes: Cyprinidae).
4. Kottelat, M., 2013 - The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplement 27: 1-663
   The fishes of the inland waters of southeast Asia: a catalogue and core bibiography of the fishes known to occur in freshwaters, mangroves and estuaries.
5. Ng, H. H. and H.-H. Tan, 1999 - Zoological Studies 38(3): 350-366
   The fishes of the Endau drainage, Peninsular Malaysia with descriptions of two new species of catfishes (Teleostei: Akysidae, Bagridae).
6. Niederle, J., 2009 - The Aquarium Gazette 8
   My anabasis with red-algae eaters known as Crossocheilus siamensis.
7. Rainboth, W. J., 1996 - FAO, Rome: 1-265
   Fishes of the Cambodian Mekong. FAO Species Identification Field Guide for Fishery Purposes.
8. Su, R.-F., J.-X. Yang and Y.-R. Chen, 2000 - The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 48(2): 215-221
   A review of the Chinese species of Crossocheilus, with description of a new species (Ostariophysi: Cyprinidae).
9. Tan, H. H. and M. Kottelat, 2009 - Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 20(1): 13-69
   The fishes of the Batang Hari drainage, Sumatra, with description of six new species.