[center:d97e86a073]Flying Fox[/center:d97e86a073]
Submitted by BearFan
Scientific Name: Epalzeorhynchus Kallopterus or Barbus Kallopternus
Common Names: Flying Fox
Region: Thailand, Indonesia, and Borneo
Maximum Size: 6” (15cm)
PH Range: 6.0-7.5
Hardness: 2-12dh
Temperature: 73-81ºF (23-27ºC)
Environment: Heavily planted tanks are a must with a strong current. Lots of hiding places to establish territory are required. Oxygen needs are normal; typically the surface agitation from your filter and that released by your plants is enough. Needs regular water changes.
Feeding Habits: Some Algae (but will outgrow this), flake, blood worms, veggies
Distinguishing Sex: None Known
Behavior: Territorial and Aggressive
Breeding: Darn near impossible. I have never heard of anyone breeding them.
Lifespan: 10 years plus
The Flying Fox is commonly confused with the Siamese Algae Eater (SAE), which is also called the Siamese Flying Fox. These fish behave in very different manners. Whereas the SAEs are very peaceful and will eat algae their entire lives, Flying Foxes will typically quit eating algae as they grow and are very aggressive and territorial. The SAE is almost constantly active and the Flying Fox is a hiding fish.
The Flying Fox has a light brown to dark brown back and a black stripe that goes from mouth to the fork of its tail. The stripe is very smooth, not jagged as the SAE and is much wider. Above this stripe is also a smaller gold band that goes up to the brown back. The fins have a streak of brown in them, whereas the SAEs are clear. The Flying Fox has two sets of barbels as opposed to the SAEs one.
You need to be careful in your LFS, as the popularity of the SAE has grown, more and more LFS are incorrectly labeling the Flying Fox as an SAE. It is important to know what you get with the Flying Fox. You can’t school the Flying Fox; typically one in a large tank is all you can handle. They will stake out their claims and will chase off fish of their kind and will most likely chase off other fish as well. They will also slow or stop their algae eating as they grow older, relying more on supplied food.
I do not recommend the flying fox if your goal is to reduce or eliminate algae in your tank. Keep looking for SAEs for this.
My Rankings:
Price: 10
Value: 3
Hardiness: 10
Community: 1
Activeness: 3
Appearance: 6
Overall: 5.5
Sources:
http://www.akuarium-tmii.or.id/profile1.html
http://www.mongabay.com/fish/cyprinds.htm
http://www.bettastarz.com/sae.htm
http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/cyprinid.html
Submitted by BearFan
Scientific Name: Epalzeorhynchus Kallopterus or Barbus Kallopternus
Common Names: Flying Fox
Region: Thailand, Indonesia, and Borneo
Maximum Size: 6” (15cm)
PH Range: 6.0-7.5
Hardness: 2-12dh
Temperature: 73-81ºF (23-27ºC)
Environment: Heavily planted tanks are a must with a strong current. Lots of hiding places to establish territory are required. Oxygen needs are normal; typically the surface agitation from your filter and that released by your plants is enough. Needs regular water changes.
Feeding Habits: Some Algae (but will outgrow this), flake, blood worms, veggies
Distinguishing Sex: None Known
Behavior: Territorial and Aggressive
Breeding: Darn near impossible. I have never heard of anyone breeding them.
Lifespan: 10 years plus
The Flying Fox is commonly confused with the Siamese Algae Eater (SAE), which is also called the Siamese Flying Fox. These fish behave in very different manners. Whereas the SAEs are very peaceful and will eat algae their entire lives, Flying Foxes will typically quit eating algae as they grow and are very aggressive and territorial. The SAE is almost constantly active and the Flying Fox is a hiding fish.
The Flying Fox has a light brown to dark brown back and a black stripe that goes from mouth to the fork of its tail. The stripe is very smooth, not jagged as the SAE and is much wider. Above this stripe is also a smaller gold band that goes up to the brown back. The fins have a streak of brown in them, whereas the SAEs are clear. The Flying Fox has two sets of barbels as opposed to the SAEs one.
You need to be careful in your LFS, as the popularity of the SAE has grown, more and more LFS are incorrectly labeling the Flying Fox as an SAE. It is important to know what you get with the Flying Fox. You can’t school the Flying Fox; typically one in a large tank is all you can handle. They will stake out their claims and will chase off fish of their kind and will most likely chase off other fish as well. They will also slow or stop their algae eating as they grow older, relying more on supplied food.
I do not recommend the flying fox if your goal is to reduce or eliminate algae in your tank. Keep looking for SAEs for this.
My Rankings:
Price: 10
Value: 3
Hardiness: 10
Community: 1
Activeness: 3
Appearance: 6
Overall: 5.5
Sources:
http://www.akuarium-tmii.or.id/profile1.html
http://www.mongabay.com/fish/cyprinds.htm
http://www.bettastarz.com/sae.htm
http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/cyprinid.html
