Java Moss is takeing over...

Calmwaters

I thought it was java moss because I had bought some but then had removed it from the tank after the fry got big enough because I did not like it. I thought this had grown from pieces that had broken off of what I removed.

ironside

Aunt Kymmie mentioned SAE.
Let me tell you my experience with these devils. I bought two little ones for my 100 G and at the beginning they went along very well, shy, a fast and efficient algae eater. Then they started to grow and I thought..."well, ok, let them alone". Then they started to grow more and more. Then suddenly, they were the biggest fish in the aquarium. And then.....I decided to take them out! Easy to say and nearly impossible to comply.
They are uncatchable if you want to continue having your decorations and plants all set. I had to demolish the whole tank to get them out! A nasty, elusive, very strong, really fast swimmer that will never ever come back to any of my tanks. I had organic substract under gravel and pulling out plants played havoc with the water, a complete mess.
I prefer any and all the other known methods of algae control and I can tell you from my own experience: SAE never more. Sorry those who love them but these creatures are real time-bombs ticking.
Best wishes...
John

SinCrisis

Uh, well a general rule when getting fish is to research their max size to avoid problems like ironside had. SAE's are very good algae eater, and although fast and strong pose no threat to other fish in the aquarium. My SAE is almost at its max size and the rest of the fish in my tank are all small tetras, but there have never been any problems. Also, there are SAE look-alikes called flying foxes that sometimes even the best LFS's get confused. ALso, I've seen stores sell chinese algae eaters as SAE's kinda ahrd to believe anyone wouldn't notice the diffrence, but it does happen and its usually just the lack of research before buying a fish.

aunt kymmie

I must add my input here. I've got three SAEs in my tank and they are the most peaceful inhabitants in my tank, other than the otos. Yes, they move fast and get large but they are extremely mellow in attitude. I wasn't recommending this fish to calmwaters as her tank is much too small for this fish.

John, what was the coloring of the fish you had & what size did it eventually attain?
As Sincrisis suggests, based on your description it sounds like you were housing a Chinese Algae Eater.
Here's a link to a very good article on determining the different species that are very often confused with an SAE. I had to bring in pics I had pulled off the web to educate my LFS in the differences in species. They were selling False SAEs and Flying Foxes as true SAEs.

Will the Real SAE Please Swim Forward? Epalzeorhynchus and Crossocheilus et al.; or Minnows as Biological Algae Controls; In Search of the Elusive SAE's (Siamese Algae Eaters)

SinCrisis

I love my SAE, flying foxes are more aggressive than SAE's and do not consume hair algae or beard algae. Chinese algae eaters and a SAE look very diffrent imo. Although, i can see where the coloration may confuse a store employee, the entire shape of the body and mouth are diffrent and the behavior is not even close to being alike.