Care and Compatibility of Suckermouth Catfish - Gyrinocheilus Aymonieri


Introduction

The suckermouth catfish has an elongated and cylindrical body with a wide head. Their coloration varies, but they generally have shades of brown and black on their body. Their suction cup-like mouth allows them to scrape algae and debris off surfaces, making them excellent aquarium cleaners.

Behavior

The suckermouth catfish, scientifically known as Gyrinocheilus aymonieri, is an interesting and peculiar species. Its distinctive feature is a suction cup-like mouth that they use to attach to surfaces such as rocks and glass. They are peaceful fish and are often a popular addition to community aquariums.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism in Gyrinocheilus aymonieri is minimal and difficult to distinguish. Both males and females have a similar appearance.

Reproduction

Breeding suckermouth catfish in captivity can be challenging. In their natural habitat, these fish reproduce in fast-flowing rivers and streams. To induce breeding in the aquarium, it requires recreating these conditions through regular water changes and providing spawning shelters. The eggs are deposited on flat surfaces, and parental care for the fry is limited.

Aquarium Conditions

Gyrinocheilus aymonieri, commonly known as the Chinese algae eater, requires a spacious aquarium with good water circulation and hiding areas. It prefers clean and well-oxygenated water. Aquarium décor should include rocks, driftwood, and hardy plants. Maintaining water quality is crucial and providing a balanced diet.

Feeding

They are primarily herbivorous and feed on algae and plant material. They use their suction cup-like mouth to scrape algae off aquarium surfaces. They will also accept commercial foods such as flakes, pellets, and fresh or frozen plant-based foods.

Complexity

Caring for Gyrinocheilus aymonieri can be moderately challenging. They are active fish and need plenty of space to swim. They are omnivores and accept a variety of foods, but their diet should include plenty of plant material to prevent them from becoming plant predators in the aquarium. They can be aggressive towards other bottom-dwelling fish.


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To do an analysis more detailed about coexistence and behavior of Gyrinocheilus Aymonieri (Suckermouth Catfish) use the Aquarium simulation tool, if you do this you can test different ways to combine the Suckermouth Catfish with other fishes giving the dimensions and space on you aquarium, on this way you can known the optimal configuration for keep the fishes that you want.

You can also find out the 55 species compatible with the Gyrinocheilus Aymonieri (Suckermouth Catfish) can live together.

Note: The parameters of the water such as PH and temperature are also used to calculate the compatibility of the species.


Compatible species (55)

Compatible (5 Species)

Compatible without any restriction


Lemon Catfish - Hemiancistrus subviridis

Lemon Catfish

Hemiancistrus subviridis

Neon tetra fish - Paracheirodon innesi

Neon tetra fish

Paracheirodon innesi

Royal Pleco - Panaque nigrolineatus

Royal Pleco

Panaque nigrolineatus

Stick Catfish - Farlowella acus

Stick Catfish

Farlowella acus

Clown Pleco - Panaqolus maccus

Clown Pleco

Panaqolus maccus

Similar Sizes (1 Species)

They can coexist if they are the same size or very similar sizes, it does not work in all cases, there may be exceptions.


Pictus Catfish - Pimelodus pictus

Pictus Catfish

Pimelodus pictus

With Reservation (12 Species)

Compatible in some cases, it depends on the nature and personality of the fish.


IndoPlanorbis Exustus - Planorbis planorbis

IndoPlanorbis Exustus

Planorbis planorbis

Horned Snail - Tyloperlamania sp

Horned Snail

Tyloperlamania sp

Anentome Helena - Anentome helena

Anentome Helena

Anentome helena

Mije Fish - Leporinus fasciatus

Mije Fish

Leporinus fasciatus

Archerfish - Toxotes jaculatrix

Archerfish

Toxotes jaculatrix

Commando Cichlid - Nimbochromis venustus

Commando Cichlid

Nimbochromis venustus

Clown Loach - Chromobotia macracanthus

Clown Loach

Chromobotia macracanthus

Gray bichir - Polypterus senegalus

Gray bichir

Polypterus senegalus

Bala Shark - Balantiocheilus melanopterus

Bala Shark

Balantiocheilus melanopterus

Sun Catfish - Horabagrus brachysoma

Sun Catfish

Horabagrus brachysoma

Las especies territoriales por lo general pueden convivir con especies protegidas con coraza, ya que no pueden hacerles daño por su dura piel, lo que si hay que tener en cuenta es tener un acuario con dimensiones favorables para que cada pez pueda delimitar un territorio, ya que la mayoría de peces acorazados son también peces de fondo y les gusta estar buscando lugares donde ocultarse.


Spotted Dora Catfish - Agamyxus pectinifrons

Spotted Dora Catfish

Agamyxus pectinifrons

Showdown over territory (17 Species)

Fish can live together as long as the space is spacious enough to delimit a territory, otherwise there may be aggressions for competing for the territory.


Red Terror Fish - Mesoheros festae

Red Terror Fish

Mesoheros festae

Red-tailed Black Shark - Epalzeorhynchus frenatus

Red-tailed Black Shark

Epalzeorhynchus frenatus

Kribensis Cichlid - Pelvicachromis pulcher

Kribensis Cichlid

Pelvicachromis pulcher

Firemouth Cichlid - Cichlasoma meeki

Firemouth Cichlid

Cichlasoma meeki

Dragon Violet Goby - Gobioides broussonnetii

Dragon Violet Goby

Gobioides broussonnetii

Pez Loro - Red Parrot

Pez Loro

Red Parrot

Tetraodon Nigroviridis - Tetraodon Nigroviridis

Tetraodon Nigroviridis

Tetraodon Nigroviridis

Upside-Down Catfish - Synodontis eupterus

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis eupterus

Los peces territoriales por lo general pueden convivir con peces protegidos con coraza, ya que no pueden hacerles daño por su dura piel, lo que si hay que tener en cuenta es tener un acuario con dimensiones favorables para que cada pez pueda delimitar un territorio, ya que la mayoría de peces acorazados son también peces de fondo y les gusta estar buscando lugares donde ocultarse.


Apple Snail - Pomacea bridgesii

Apple Snail

Pomacea bridgesii

Golden Royal Pleco - Sturisoma aureum

Golden Royal Pleco

Sturisoma aureum

Striped Raphael Catfish - Platydoras costatus

Striped Raphael Catfish

Platydoras costatus

Territorial fish can usually live with fish protected with armor, since they cannot harm them because of their tough skin, what must be taken into account is to have an aquarium with favorable dimensions so that each fish can delimit a territory, since that most armored fish are also bottom fish and they like to be looking for places to hide.


Leopard Cactus Pleco - Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Leopard Cactus Pleco

Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Galaxy Plecostomus - Leporacanthicus sp L240

Galaxy Plecostomus

Leporacanthicus sp L240

Territorial fish can usually live with fish protected with armor, since they cannot harm them because of their tough skin, what must be taken into account is to have an aquarium with favorable dimensions so that each fish can delimit a territory, since that most armored fish are also bottom fish and like to be looking for places to hide.


Suckermouth catfish - Hypostomus plecostomus

Suckermouth catfish

Hypostomus plecostomus

Puede haber mayor grado de defensa de territorio con otros ejemplares de su misma especie.


Suckermouth Catfish - Gyrinocheilus Aymonieri

Suckermouth Catfish

Gyrinocheilus Aymonieri

Considerable size difference (20 Species)

They can coexist while they are similar in size or the size difference is not very abysmal, since as the fish grows it increases the chances of eating its partner that did not grow much.


Lemon Tetra - Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

Lemon Tetra

Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

Red-Backed Tetra - Hyphessobrycon bentosi

Red-Backed Tetra

Hyphessobrycon bentosi

Florida Dwarf Crayfish - Cambarellus diminutus

Florida Dwarf Crayfish

Cambarellus diminutus

Blue Bee Shrimp - Paracaridina sp

Blue Bee Shrimp

Paracaridina sp

Amano Shrimp - Caridina multidentata

Amano Shrimp

Caridina multidentata

Red Cherry - Neocaridina davidi

Red Cherry

Neocaridina davidi

Stiphodon Ornatus - Stiphodon ornatus

Stiphodon Ornatus

Stiphodon ornatus

Preacox Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia preacox

Preacox Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia preacox

Lacustris Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia lacustris

Lacustris Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia lacustris

Congo Tetra - Phenacogrammus interruptus

Congo Tetra

Phenacogrammus interruptus

Nerite Snail - Neritina sp

Nerite Snail

Neritina sp

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid - Apistogramma viejita

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma viejita

Caridina Shrimp - Caridina cf. Cantonensis

Caridina Shrimp

Caridina cf. Cantonensis

Endler Guppy Fish - Poecilia Wingei

Endler Guppy Fish

Poecilia Wingei

Filamented Rainbowfish - Iriatherina Werneri

Filamented Rainbowfish

Iriatherina Werneri

Cherry Barb - Barbus titteya

Cherry Barb

Barbus titteya

Multis Fish - Neolamprologus multifasciatus

Multis Fish

Neolamprologus multifasciatus

Male siamese fighting fish - betta splendens male

Male siamese fighting fish

betta splendens male

Cockatoo Cichlid - Apistogramma Cacatuoides

Cockatoo Cichlid

Apistogramma Cacatuoides

Suckermouth Catfish

Gyrinocheilus Aymonieri

Suckermouth Catfish - Gyrinocheilus Aymonieri
  • Ph: 6 - 7.5
  • Temperature (c°): 22 - 30
  • Measures: 15 cm - 25cm
  • Aquarium Capacity:
    125 Liters - 33 Gallons
  • Behavior: Likes to take refuge, Night, Territorial, Territorial with its species
  • Size: Medium
  • Swimming area: Aquarium background
  • Water Type: Sweet water