Gold Algae Eater (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri)

This is a color strain of the same species behind the standard Chinese algae eater, bred for a warm gold body instead of the wild olive-brown, but the biology tracks identically — enthusiastic algae scraping as a juvenile, a gradual shift toward territorial and slime-coat-rasping behavior as it matures past a few inches. Plan for the adult it becomes, not just the algae crew member it starts as.

Care level: Moderate · Temperament: Becomes territorial with age · Max size: ~10" · Min tank: 30 gal · Diet: Omnivore, algae as juvenile, more carnivorous as adult