The Siamese algae-eater (''Crossocheilus oblongus'') is a species of

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in the

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family,

Cyprinidae Cyprinidae is a family of freshwater fish commonly called the carp or minnow family, including the carps, the true minnows, and their relatives the barbs and barbels, among others. Cyprinidae is the largest and most diverse fish family, and t ...

. This bottom-dwelling tropical fish is found in mainland

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, including the

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and

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basins as well as the

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. Its natural habitats are streams and rivers as well as flooded forests during the rainy season. The Siamese algae-eater should not be confused with the flying fox (''Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus'') or the false siamensis (''Garra cambodgiensis''), lacking the distinctive black bands of the former.

Description

The Siamese algae-eater has a black horizontal stripe extending from nose to end of tail. The stripe can quickly fade to camouflage the fish against its surroundings, which is observed during fights or stress. Genuine ''Crossocheilus siamensis'', without maxillary barbels and with deeply fringed V-shaped upper lip are rarely encountered in the aquarium trade. Siamese algae-eaters can grow up to 15 centimetres (6 inches) within two years, and live for over 10 years in optimal conditions. They are valued in the aquarium trade for being the only known fish species to consume red algae, including ‘ black brush’ or ‘beard’ algae. Closely related is the red algae-eater ''Crossocheilus langei'', a species that is widely sold as the Siamese algae-eater. It has a bright brownish elongate body with a slightly flat belly. It has a prominent brown-black horizontal stripe extending from nose to tail. This fish may grow to measure up to . It possesses small maxillary barbels and an unfringed shallowly arcuate upper lip. Two other similar species are traded as Siamese algae-eaters, namely ''Crossocheilus atrilimes'', a species that prefers

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