What is a flying fox?

[sarah5775]

I have no algae eaters or bottom feeders in my 29 gallon. I talked to the guy at the fish store about getting something, since algae is out of control, and, well, I'd like a lower level fish.

He suggested a flying fox. What is this fish? I can't find any information about it online. My algae control choices are limited- a pleco gets too big, chinese algae eaters turn mean (been down that road) when I had four ottos they didn't make a dent, plus they were impossible to keep alive, so I don't want to go with them....could someone give me some info on this fish and advice?

My tank has 5 black longfin tetras
1 grown platy
1 grown molly
2 baby mollies (one of which I plan to keep)
5 1/2 inch or 1/4 inch platys (will keep two or possibly three of them)
1 surviving otto

running an AquaClear 50.

What are my options? Is a flying fox the way to go?

[rich311k]

Mollys are pretty good on hair algae removal. A bristle nose pleco may be just what you are looking for. Good hard workers and not to big. A fish will not solve the problem if it is that bad.

[sarah5775]

Oops, forgot to add my three 1 1/2 inch gold barbs.

[Zagz]

A flying fox fish IMO would not be good in your tank. It grows aggressive as it grows older and sucks on the slime coat of other fish. A true SAE is better at algae eating. As mentioned by Rich, solving the problem of the algae is better than getting a fish to try and correct the problem. Black mollies are excellent on hair algae IME.

Links to the Flying fox.

http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/fox.htm

http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_fox.php

[sarah5775]

The algae really got bad when I left for a week and left the lights on. Before that it was unsightly, now it is out of control. I went an algae eater/bottom feeder anyway, just because I would like one- but what else can I do to reduce algae? Would keeping aquarium lights mostly off for a week do it? I have java moss, would it survive? I heard it is low light.

So a flying fox is out- what do you recommend instead Jagz? Would you go with the bristlenose too?

I don't think a SAE is an option because I've never seen one in the lfs.

[Zagz]

I love bristlenose plecos and have several. Black mollies would work in your tank as well. Does the tank have any direct sunlight on it? You could do a black out for the tank, depending on how bad the algae is. From what I understand about java moss, I don't have it, it is very very hardy and should be fine without light for a few days.

[sarah5775]

I already have three young mollies (one 2 inch golden one and 2 1/2 inch black ones) and I see them nibble at algae sometimes but they don't seem to make a dent.

What is a blackout, simply having the lights out for a week? I have 2 plays and my molly in breeder boxes, (no fry yet) will they be ok with the lights out?

No direct sunlight.

[theotheragentm]

Originally Posted by sarah5775

I don't think a SAE is an option because I've never seen one in the lfs.

Where are you located? Maybe someone can recommend a place with some. I have a store that labels them as Flying Foxes, but they're SAEs.

[sarah5775]

Northern NJ. Morris County. I could try asking at the privately owned fish store in Denville. They are usually more knowledgeable than the Petsmart and Petco.

[Zagz]

A black out is when you keep the lights off in the tank, & cover the tank to allow no light in. It is a drastic measure. Try keeping the lights off for a few days and see if that makes a dent in the algae. Do you know what kind of algae you are suffering from? The fish will be fine without the lights on.