SAE with an identity crisis

donovan n · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 13

I have a thirty gallon tank with three yoyo loaches and a single SAE,
(among other fish but they aren't important right now)...
This SAE started out with normal behavior, skimming algae off of leaves
and the tank glass but it eventually started hanging out with the yo-yos
it's about the same size as them and it joins in all their games, playing
tag and hiding under a piece of driftwood.The SAE eats less and less algae
and more and more of the shrimp pellets I put in for the loaches. Behavoir
wise it's identical to one of the loaches.
I know it's a true SAE and not a Flying Fox, it's stripe continues
through the tail, it's fins are clear and it rests on the tips of it's fins.
Should I get another SAE to keep it company and teach it the error of
it's ways?
---donovan

Archived from group: rec>aquaria>freshwater>misc

Anna Hayward · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 13

Hi,
> I have a thirty gallon tank with three yoyo loaches and a single SAE,
>(among other fish but they aren't important right now)...
> This SAE started out with normal behavior, skimming algae off of leaves
>and the tank glass but it eventually started hanging out with the yo-yos
>it's about the same size as them and it joins in all their games, playing
>tag and hiding under a piece of driftwood.The SAE eats less and less algae
>and more and more of the shrimp pellets I put in for the loaches. Behavoir
>wise it's identical to one of the loaches.
> I know it's a true SAE and not a Flying Fox, it's stripe continues
>through the tail, it's fins are clear and it rests on the tips of it's fins.
> Should I get another SAE to keep it company and teach it the error of
>it's ways?

I have just the same problem. My SAE is on it's own in a community tank
with tetras, cherry barbs, pencilfish and pearl gouramis. It seems happy
enough but prefers live food and flake to actual algae. I wondered if my
algae tasted bad for some reason, or maybe it thinks it's a giant
pencilfish? It is definitely a true SAE - I got it from a very highly
respected LFS.

I am considering getting it a companion or two and transferring it to my
30 gal life-bearer tank with mollies, guppies and a lone gourami. My
other tank (a 25 gallon) is basically full and I wouldn't be happy to
squeeze another SAE in there, but the 30 gal only has 13 fish at present
(although I'm hoping the mollies may breed). I don't have any salt in
that tank (my mollies are fresh-water adapted and I have a lot of yellow
apple snails in there, waiting to go to the LFS) but the water is very
hard and high pH.
--
Anna Hayward
mailto: alienvisitor@ratbag.demon.co.uk

Anna's Pregnancy, Parenting and Autism page:
http://www.ratbag.demon.co.uk/anna/

Slats · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 6

I had this problem before.

it;s like choosing between white steamed rice or a steak! they always choose
the better food! i know i would take the steak! they don;t just eat algae, i
guess they take the food with appeals more to them.

for me, unless i wanted to restrick the feeding patterns of the other fish
there was not much i could do. my SAE groth rate has accelerated since it
started eating pellets and live worms Razz

.

Maybe some experts on this group can provide u with some good advice.

Slats

"donovan n" wrote in message$%42.69653@fed1read06...
> I have a thirty gallon tank with three yoyo loaches and a single SAE,
> (among other fish but they aren't important right now)...
> This SAE started out with normal behavior, skimming algae off of
leaves
> and the tank glass but it eventually started hanging out with the yo-yos
> it's about the same size as them and it joins in all their games, playing
> tag and hiding under a piece of driftwood.The SAE eats less and less algae
> and more and more of the shrimp pellets I put in for the loaches. Behavoir
> wise it's identical to one of the loaches.
> I know it's a true SAE and not a Flying Fox, it's stripe continues
> through the tail, it's fins are clear and it rests on the tips of it's
fins.
> Should I get another SAE to keep it company and teach it the error of
> it's ways?
> ---donovan
>
>

Slats · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 6

I had this problem before.

it;s like choosing between white steamed rice or a steak! they always choose
the better food! i know i would take the steak! they don;t just eat algae, i
guess they take the food with appeals more to them.

for me, unless i wanted to restrick the feeding patterns of the other fish
there was not much i could do. my SAE groth rate has accelerated since it
started eating pellets and live worms Razz

.

Maybe some experts on this group can provide u with some good advice.

Slats

"donovan n" wrote in message$%42.69653@fed1read06...
> I have a thirty gallon tank with three yoyo loaches and a single SAE,
> (among other fish but they aren't important right now)...
> This SAE started out with normal behavior, skimming algae off of
leaves
> and the tank glass but it eventually started hanging out with the yo-yos
> it's about the same size as them and it joins in all their games, playing
> tag and hiding under a piece of driftwood.The SAE eats less and less algae
> and more and more of the shrimp pellets I put in for the loaches. Behavoir
> wise it's identical to one of the loaches.
> I know it's a true SAE and not a Flying Fox, it's stripe continues
> through the tail, it's fins are clear and it rests on the tips of it's
fins.
> Should I get another SAE to keep it company and teach it the error of
> it's ways?
> ---donovan
>
>