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Borneo black-lobe algae eater

Crossocheilus nigriloba

Also known as Black-finned Siamese algae eater, Penguin flying fox

FreshwaterFish

Borneo black-lobe algae eater (Crossocheilus nigriloba)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
4.7 in
12 cm
Minimum tank
42 gal
160 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cyprinidae
Origin
Borneo

Overview

The Borneo black-lobe algae eater is a mostly peaceful grazer for a flowing, well-oxygenated community tank. It suits a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

The Borneo black-lobe algae eater's dark side stripe is not fixed. It fragments into a dotted line of blotches when the fish spars, sleeps or feels stressed. The stripe reassembles into a solid band once the fish settles again.

Caring for the Borneo black-lobe algae eater

Keep the Borneo black-lobe algae eater in a tank of at least 42 gal (160 L). Give it flow, oxygen and plenty of hard surfaces to graze. Water-worn stones and driftwood coated in algae and biofilm suit it, with some shade from plants.

Keep the water brisk and well oxygenated, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. It works the bottom and midwater, constantly grazing aufwuchs and algae. Algae alone will not sustain it, so add algae wafers, spirulina, blanched vegetables and some frozen foods.

Keep it in a small group of its own kind. It is social and mostly peaceful, though individuals can squabble, so give the group space and grazing surfaces to go around. It pairs well with active, sturdy community fish. It is not known to have spawned in captivity.

Good to know

Crossocheilus nigriloba is a slender algae-eating cyprinid, one of several look-alikes sold under the name Siamese algae eater. Its name marks the dark lower lobe of the tail fin, often flushed with red, which helps separate it from its relatives.

In the wild

The Borneo black-lobe algae eater lives in clear, flowing forest streams of Borneo, over rock, wood and gravel.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Borneo black-lobe algae eater is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Borneo black-lobe algae eater need?

A Borneo black-lobe algae eater needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Borneo black-lobe algae eater need?

A Borneo black-lobe algae eater is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a Borneo black-lobe algae eater eat?

A Borneo black-lobe algae eater grazes aufwuchs and algae, but algae alone will not sustain it. Add algae wafers, spirulina, blanched vegetables and some frozen foods.

How big does a Borneo black-lobe algae eater get?

An adult Borneo black-lobe algae eater reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).

Related species