Golden Sucking Loach Chinese Algae Eater Gyrinocheilus Aymonieri 4cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Golden Sucking Loach is a bright yellow-gold form of the Chinese Algae Eater (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri), a slender river fish with a sucker mouth used to hold position in fast currents and rasp algae. Despite the common name it comes from Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Young fish are tireless algae cleaners, but adults grow large and pushy, so it suits larger, robust community tanks.
- Adult Size: Up to 25–28 cm (10–11 in), usually 15–20 cm (6–8 in) in aquaria
- Lifespan: 10–15 years
Origin
- Native to: Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Klong basins, Southeast Asia
- Habitat: Fast, clear streams over boulders, gravel and driftwood
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous; algae grazer when young
- Preferred Foods: Algae, algae wafers, blanched courgette, spinach, bloodworm, sinking pellets
- Feeding Habits: Feed daily; algae interest fades with age, so offer wafers and vegetables
Tank Mates
- Best with: Fast, robust mid-water fish such as larger barbs, rainbowfish, danios
- Avoid: Slow flat-sided fish, discus, angelfish, other bottom-dwellers, similar-looking fish
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful when young, increasingly territorial as it matures
- Territoriality: High as an adult; may rasp slime from slow, flat-bodied fish
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Challenges: Large adult size and adult aggression are often underestimated
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, neutral, well oxygenated
- Temperature: 22–26°C (72–79°F)
- pH: 6.0–8.0
- Hardness: 2–20 dGH
- Flow: Moderate to strong
- Tank Size: Minimum 300 litres for an adult; keep singly or in groups of six or more
Final Notes
Buy with the adult in mind: the cute algae-eating juvenile becomes a large, boisterous fish that may bully tankmates, so plan a long, spacious tank with strong filtration. Keep one, or a group of six or more to spread aggression, and add it last to an established aquarium. Provide smooth rocks and wood to graze and a tight lid, as it can jump. With the right tank it is hardy, long-lived and genuinely useful.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.