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'{{Speciesbox | image = Chinese algae eater.jpg | image_caption = ''Gyrinocheilus aymonieri'' | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn">{{cite web | url=http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/180997/0 | title=Gyrinocheilus aymonieri (Honey Sucker, Sucking 'Loach') | publisher=International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources | work=The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. | date=2012 | accessdate=25 February 2015 | author=Vidthayanon, C.}}</ref> | taxon = Gyrinocheilus aymonieri | authority = ([[Gilbert Tirant|Tirant]], 1883) | synonyms = *''Psilorhynchus aymonieri'' <small>Tirant, 1883</small> *''Gyrinocheilus kaznakovi'' <small>[[Lev Berg|Berg]], 1906</small> *''Gyrinocheilus monchadskii'' <small>Krasyukova & Gusev, 1987</small> }} '''''Gyrinocheilus aymonieri''''' is a [[freshwater]] fish native to large parts of [[Southeast Asia]].<ref name="Kottelat (1998)">{{cite journal|last=Kottelat|first=Maurice|title=Fishes of the Nam Theun and Xe Bangfai basins, Laos, with diagnoses of 22 new species (Teleostei: Cyprinidae, Balitoridae, Cobitidae, Coiidae and Odontobutidae)|journal=Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters|date=July 1998|volume=9|issue=1|pages=1–128}}</ref><ref name=FishBase>{{FishBase |genus=Gyrinocheilus |species=aymonieri |month=August |year=2015}}</ref><ref name=CoF>{{cite web |url=http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/Ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp |title=Catalog of Fishes |author=Eschmeyer, W. N. and R. Fricke (eds) |date=2 November 2015 |publisher=California Academy of Sciences |accessdate=13 November 2015}}</ref> It is of interest as a local food source and for the aquarium trade.<ref name="iucn"/><ref name=FishBase/> Its common names include '''honey sucker''', '''sucking loach''', '''Chinese algae eater''', and '''Siamese algae eater'''; the [[Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations|FAO]]-endorsed common name is '''Siamese algae eater'''.<ref name=FishBase/> ''G. aymonieri'' is found in the [[Chao Phraya]] basin, northern [[Malay Peninsula]], [[Mekong]] basin (in [[Cambodia]], [[Yunnan]] province in China, [[Laos]], [[Thailand]], and [[Vietnam]]<ref name="iucn"/>), [[Mae Klong]] basin and the [[Xe Bang Fai River]].<ref name="Kottelat (1998)" /> It is most often seen in large rivers, occasionally entering flooded fields.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Taki|first=Y.|title=An analytical study of the fish fauna of the Mekong basin as a biological production system in nature|journal=Research Institute of Evolutionary Biology Special Publications|year=1978|volume=1|pages=77}}</ref> The fish spends most of its time on flat surfaces, such as rocks, in flowing water, using its unusually formed inferior mouth to attach itself to rocks in stronger flows.<ref>{{cite book|last=Rainboth|first=Walter J.|title=Fishes of the Cambodian Mekong|year=1996|publisher=FAO (Food and agriculture organization of the United Nations)|location=Rome|isbn=92-5-103743-4|pages=265|url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/v8731e/v8731e00.htm}}</ref> The fish are sold in local markets as a food source and small fish are used in preparation of ''[[prahok]]''.<ref name="iucn"/> == Physical description == ''G. aymonieri'' has been recorded as reaching at least {{convert|28|cm|abbr=on}} [[Fish measurement#Overall length|SL]] and is the only species in the genus to have 9 branched dorsal rays and 36–40 lateral line scales.<ref>Quoting Kottelat (1998): "Distinguished from the other species of the genus in having 9 branched dorsal rays, 36–40 lateral line scales and no dark spots on pelvic and anal fins. Size up to at least 280 mm SL"</ref> The mouth is inferior with a special "sucker" modification which allows the fish to attach itself to smooth surfaces. No barbels are present.<ref name=aga-frank>{{cite web|last=Frank|first=Neil|title=Algae Eating Cyprinids from Thailand and Neighboring Areas|url=http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/cyprinid.html|work=The Aquatic Gardener: Journal of the Aquatic Gardeners Association|publisher=Aquatic Gardeners Association|author2=Liisa Sarakontu|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010191343/http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/cyprinid.html|archivedate=2011-10-10|df=}}</ref> Wild type colour varies from pale grey to olive, with darker markings along the lateral line which vary from a solid stripe with alternating higher and lower extensions to uneven dots. The belly is usually paler than the base colour. Some darker markings may also be observed along the back and on the caudal fin, but no dark markings occur on the pelvic and anal fins.<ref name="Kottelat (1998)"/> ==Name== The scientific name commemorates the French linguist and explorer [[Étienne Aymonier]].<ref>[http://www.etyfish.org/psilorhynchidae-gyrinocheilidae-and-catostomidae/ Order CYPRINIFORMES: Families PSILORHYNCHIDAE, GYRINOCHEILIDAE and CATOSTOMIDAE] The ETYFish Project</ref> == In aquaria == [[Image:Golden Gyrinocheilus aymonieri - 20100122.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Golden ''G. aymoneiri'']] ''G. aymonieri'' is similar in colouration to a number of other species which are commonly available in the aquarium trade, such as ''[[Crossocheilus oblongus]]'', ''[[Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus]]'', and ''[[Garra cambodgiensis]]'',<ref name=aga-frank /> and is sometimes misidentified as one of these species. It is available in a number of colour morphs, including wild type, gold, marble, [[Albinism|albino]], and [[Leucism|leucistic]] forms. The species does not breed readily in home aquaria, although fry are occasionally reported as being found in overgrown aquaria.<ref>{{cite web|title=Spawning Chinese Algae Eater (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri)|url=http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/mix/chinesealgaeeater.php|accessdate=24 October 2011}}</ref> At this time, no definitive spawning triggers are known. Sexing is difficult, although mature males may develop breeding tubercles on their noses, while females become plumper.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Oddball,%20Chinese%20Algae%20Eater.htm|title=How to keep Chinese algae eaters, ''Gyrinocheilus aymonieri'', with pictures|accessdate=2010-11-09|year=2006|publisher=Aqualand Pets Plus|quote=Sexing: Males develop breeding “horns” on their heads. Females get heftier.}}</ref> ''G. aymonieri'' fish are often bought as algae eaters because they will readily eat algae when young, but with age, their preference changes towards meatier foods, such as prepared aquarium foods, frozen crustaceans and small fish. This change is also reflected in behaviour, which becomes aggressive with age, especially so towards others of their own kind and fish with similar colors.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.petco.com/caresheets/fish/Algae%20Eater_Chinese.pdf |title = Chinese Algae Eater, ''Gyrinocheilus aymonieri'' |accessdate = 2010-11-09 |year = 2004 |format = PDF |publisher = [[Petco|PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc]] |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110715065944/http://www.petco.com/caresheets/fish/Algae%20Eater_Chinese.pdf |archivedate = 2011-07-15 |df = }}</ref> They also feed off of the body slime on other fish, making them more prone to infection and stress. Avoid this fish at all costs, and instead choose ''Crossocheilus oblongus'' or a bushynose pleco instead. The other species in the genus, ''[[Gyrinocheilus pennocki]]'' and the ''[[Gyrinocheilus pustulosus]]'', are rarely seen in the aquarium trade. ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} {{Commons category|Gyrinocheilus aymonieri}} {{Taxonbar|from=Q632110}} [[Category:Gyrinocheilidae]] [[Category:Fish of the Mekong Basin]] [[Category:Fish of Cambodia]] [[Category:Freshwater fish of China]] [[Category:Fish of Laos]] [[Category:Freshwater fish of Malaysia]] [[Category:Fish of Thailand]] [[Category:Fish of Vietnam]] [[Category:Fish described in 1883]]'