Sweetfish
NameSweetfish
Scientific NamePlecoglossus altivelis
Common NamesSweetfish, Ayu, Ayu Sweetfish
FamilyPlecoglossidae
OriginEast Asia, Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan
Temperamentcommunity
Dietherbivore
Care Leveladvanced
Minimum Tank Size (Gallons)75
Max Size (Inches)12
Water TypeFreshwater
Temperature Range (°F)60-72
pH Range6.5-7.5
Compatible SpeciesOther Sweetfish (in a large group), Other cool-water, fast-current tolerant species
Description
The Sweetfish, or Ayu, is a distinctive anadromous fish native to East Asia, known for its unique diet of algae scraped from rocks. They are slender, silvery-brown fish that can reach up to a foot in length and are highly valued both as a food fish and for their challenging aquarium keeping. These fish require cool, highly oxygenated water with strong currents and a specialized diet to thrive.
