From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Flying Fox
Epalzeorhynchos kalopterum
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C
- pH
- 6 – 7.5
- Min. tank size
- 243 L
- Lifespan
- 8-10 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- easy
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Epalzeorhynchos kalopterum |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Origin: | Southeast Asia (fast streams of Borneo, Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | easy |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 16.00 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Temperament: | semi aggressive |
| Min Group: | Can be kept alone |
| Varieties: | No cultivated strains — this is a wild-type fish, and the confusion is between species rather than between forms. The name is unsettled too: the epithet is kalopterum, and the kalopterus on most labels is an incorrect subsequent spelling. Here is the identification key, because it is the practically useful part of this page. The flying fox has white-edged red and black fins and two pairs of barbels. Nothing else in the group carries patterned fins like that, and they are visible across a shop tank. Siamese algae eaters (Crossocheilus species) show no patterning in the dorsal fin at all, and their dark lateral stripe continues into the caudal fin. They stay peaceful, shoal in groups of six or more, and genuinely eat black beard algae. The false siamese algae eater (Garra cambodgiensis) has a stripe that stops at the caudal peduncle with an extra lighter stripe above it, tiny barbels, and a disc-like sucker lower lip. The Chinese algae eater (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri) is a different family entirely, reaches 28 cm, and rasps the mucus off other fish. The red tail and rainbow sharks are the flying fox's own congeners, and none of the three should ever share a tank. If the fins are patterned, you are looking at a flying fox — and probably not at the fish you wanted. |
| Lifespan: | 8-10 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Medium
- Min Tank:243 L
- Substrate:Gravel or sand; driftwood, rocks and caves
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Moderate to high (clean water with some flow)
Flying Fox (Epalzeorhynchos kalopterum) is a species of fish in the family Cyprinidae. It is native to Southeast Asia (fast streams of Borneo, Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula). The flying fox is the third member of the genus that gives aquarists so much trouble, and the one most often bought by mistake. It comes from fast streams in Borneo, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula, and reaches 160 mm standard length — the largest of the three. A black stripe runs the length of a slim gold-brown body with a bright gold line above it, and the fins carry the feature that identifies it beyond doubt: white-edged bands of red and black. It also has two pairs of barbels. People buy it believing they are buying a siamese algae eater. They are not, and the difference matters. While it does browse on algae, it does not do so with the same efficacy as the Crossocheilus species — specialists say plainly that there is little worth in purchasing it for that purpose. It becomes increasingly territorial as it grows, and each individual wants a territory at least a metre across.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- semi aggressive
- Keep in
- Can be kept alone
- Swims
- bottom
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Flying Fox
Matched on family, then category, then water type