This bottom-dwelling tropical fish is found in mainland Southeast Asia, including the Chao Phraya and Mekong basins as well as the Malay Peninsula.

The Siamese algae-eater should not be confused with the flying fox (Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus) or the false siamensis (Garra cambodgiensis), lacking the distinctive black bands of the former.

[2] Genuine Crossocheilus siamensis, without maxillary barbels and with deeply fringed V-shaped upper lip[3][4] are rarely encountered in the aquarium trade.

[5] The hardy red algae-eater Crossocheilus langei is commonly found in the aquarium trade and is one of the most popular and effective tank algae cleaners.

They are active and fast swimmers that will school together if kept in a group, but some individuals may display aggression to their own kind or related fish.