SAE Malnourishment?

[Dan White]

I had an algae problem and bought an SAE. About the next day all the algae
was gone. About a month after buying the fish I find his carcass on the
gravel, but still no algae in the tank. Now, about a week later I see algae
growing again.

Other than what was probably a gourami with internal parasites that died,
the other fish are fine. I've also had a cory from day 1 and he's still
fine. Did I starve this SAE to death? I want to get another one but don't
want to kill it.

thanks,
dwhite

[NetMax]

"Dan White" > wrote in message
t...
>I had an algae problem and bought an SAE. About the next day all the
>algae
> was gone. About a month after buying the fish I find his carcass on
> the
> gravel, but still no algae in the tank. Now, about a week later I see
> algae
> growing again.
>
> Other than what was probably a gourami with internal parasites that
> died,
> the other fish are fine. I've also had a cory from day 1 and he's
> still
> fine. Did I starve this SAE to death? I want to get another one but
> don't
> want to kill it.
>
> thanks,
> dwhite


SAE are quite opportunistic, though this is more true of the copy cats
than the true SAE, still I think it's doubtful if some fish food was
making it to the bottom of the tank. More tank details would be helpful,
but it would still be a guess. I solve that problem by sending an algae
wafer (or zucchini) to the bottom periodically.
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Dick]

On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 14:21:33 GMT, "Dan White"
> wrote:

>I had an algae problem and bought an SAE. About the next day all the algae
>was gone. About a month after buying the fish I find his carcass on the
>gravel, but still no algae in the tank. Now, about a week later I see algae
>growing again.
>
>Other than what was probably a gourami with internal parasites that died,
>the other fish are fine. I've also had a cory from day 1 and he's still
>fine. Did I starve this SAE to death? I want to get another one but don't
>want to kill it.
>
>thanks,
>dwhite
>

I feed my fish flake food. I have 11 SAEs in my tanks. They are very
aggressive about getting the flakes either on the surface, floating
down or on the bottom. IMO an SAE will get its food.

dick

[Mean_Chlorine]

Thusly "Dan White" > Spake Unto All:

>> SAE are quite opportunistic, though this is more true of the copy cats
>> than the true SAE, still I think it's doubtful if some fish food was
>> making it to the bottom of the tank.

>Funny enough, I was concerned about his ability to find something to eat, so
>I was going to put some cucumber in the tank that evening when I found it
>dead.

If it was indeed an SAE and not, say, an Otocinclus, then I'd be
inclined to think it died of other causes than starvation. SAE's are
extremely opportunistic, even aggressive, feeders IME, capable of
outcompeting tetras for sinking flake or chasing catfish from pellets.
If the aquarium is fed at all I would expect them to be able to avoid
starvation.

[Dan White]

"Mean_Chlorine" > wrote in message
...
> Thusly "Dan White" > Spake Unto All:
>
> >> SAE are quite opportunistic, though this is more true of the copy cats
> >> than the true SAE, still I think it's doubtful if some fish food was
> >> making it to the bottom of the tank.
>
> >Funny enough, I was concerned about his ability to find something to eat,
so
> >I was going to put some cucumber in the tank that evening when I found it
> >dead.
>
> If it was indeed an SAE and not, say, an Otocinclus, then I'd be
> inclined to think it died of other causes than starvation. SAE's are
> extremely opportunistic, even aggressive, feeders IME, capable of
> outcompeting tetras for sinking flake or chasing catfish from pellets.
> If the aquarium is fed at all I would expect them to be able to avoid
> starvation.
>

OK, thanks Dick and Mean. Maybe it wasn't really an SAE. It was peaceful
and pretty much ignored feeding time, but meticulously cleaned rocks and
gravel all the time. Is it common for fish to have parasites from the fish
store that go unnoticed for several weeks until the fish just "up and dies"?
I'm hoping it isn't something in my tank.

dwhite

[Diana]

It is entirely possible that it had parasites to begin with . Put your
fish in a quarentine tank before turning it loose in your main tank.
You can then medicate for parasites, and in general make sure it is
healthy, without risking your other fish.
__________________________________________________
Posted via FishGeeks - http://Aquaria.info

[Mean_Chlorine]

Thusly "Dan White" > Spake Unto All:

>OK, thanks Dick and Mean. Maybe it wasn't really an SAE.

SAE:
http://filaman.uni-kiel.de/Photos/PicturesSummary.cfm?StartRow=1&ID=50435&what=species

False Siamensis:
http://filaman.uni-kiel.de/Photos/PicturesSummary.cfm?StartRow=4&ID=50435&what=species
(note light line above the dark lateral line; pigmentation in dorsal
fin; and that the dark line doesn't extend into the dorsal fin. Both
images are filed as Siamese algae eater, Crossocheilus siamensis, at
Fishbase, but this isn't. I've mailed Fishbase about it.

The two most commonly seen species of Otocinclus:
http://filaman.uni-kiel.de/Photos/PicturesSummary.cfm?ID=50462&what=species
http://filaman.uni-kiel.de/Photos/PicturesSummary.cfm?ID=50450&what=species

>It was peaceful and pretty much ignored feeding time, but meticulously cleaned rocks and
>gravel all the time.

Ignoring feeding time isn't normal behaviour for an SAE, that much is
for sure. It _is_ normal behaviour for an Oto, though, and Otos pretty
routinely starve to death unless one target-feeds them.

>Is it common for fish to have parasites from the fish
>store that go unnoticed for several weeks until the fish just "up and dies"?
>I'm hoping it isn't something in my tank.

Well, it isn't uncommon. When a fish slowly wastes away, I tend to
suspect fish tuberculosis. However, other possibilities include
intestinal parasites, obstructions in the throat, or hereditary
conditions.

Just one more thing.. Both SAE's and Otos are schooling fishes. They
visibly enjoy having conspecifics around. Not to the point they die if
kept alone, but still.

[Dan White]

"Diana" > wrote in message
...
> It is entirely possible that it had parasites to begin with . Put your
> fish in a quarentine tank before turning it loose in your main tank.
> You can then medicate for parasites, and in general make sure it is
> healthy, without risking your other fish.
>

Yes, I'm trying to avoid becoming an aquarium fanatic (ie, multiplying
fishtanks) but I guess just posting to this ng gets me half way there. I
know your advice is best.

thanks,
dwhite