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Flying Fox
Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus
📍 Southeast Asia
The Flying Fox is a sleek, elongated freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia, known for its distinctive black and gold striped pattern and active bottom-dwelling behavior. These fish are excellent algae eaters and are popular in community tanks for their utility and interesting personality. They require adequate space and can become territorial, particularly with their own kind.
Care Guide
Diet
Flying Foxes are primarily herbivorous and spend much of their time grazing on algae. Supplement their diet with quality sinking pellets, algae wafers, blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach), and occasional frozen foods like bloodworms or brine shrimp. Feed once daily, providing only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes.
Behavior
Flying Foxes are active, bottom-dwelling fish that are most active during dawn and dusk. They are generally peaceful but can become territorial and aggressive toward other bottom-dwellers and their own species, especially in smaller tanks. They are excellent algae eaters and spend considerable time foraging along the substrate and on decorations.
Breeding
Breeding Flying Foxes in captivity is extremely difficult and rarely successful in home aquariums. They require specific water conditions and large spaces to trigger spawning behavior. Most Flying Foxes in the aquarium trade are wild-caught, making captive breeding uncommon.
Tank Mates
Both are algae eaters but occupy different niches; monitor for territorial disputes
Peaceful mid-water dweller that avoids competition with bottom-dwelling Flying Fox
Schooling fish that stays in mid-water column, minimal interaction with Flying Fox
Both are bottom-dwellers and algae eaters; may compete for food and territory
Peaceful bottom-dweller with different feeding habits; generally compatible
Small schooling fish that occupies mid-water zone away from Flying Fox
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects
Increase water temperature to 28-30°C (82-86°F), perform daily 25% water changes, use ich medication following product instructions, ensure adequate aeration
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Perform 50% water change, improve water quality and filtration, use antibacterial medication, ensure proper tank maintenance and reduce stress
Bacterial Infection
Open sores, ulcers on body, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, behavioral changes
Isolate affected fish in quarantine tank, perform daily water changes, use broad-spectrum antibiotic medication, maintain pristine water conditions
Parasitic Infection
Excessive scratching, white or gray coating on skin, rapid gill movement, weight loss
Use anti-parasitic medication, perform frequent water changes, maintain optimal water parameters, quarantine if necessary
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore with herbivorous tendencies; feeds on algae wafers, sinking pellets, blanched vegetables, and occasional protein sources like bloodworms
- lifespan
- 10-15 years
- max size
- 14 cm (5.5 in)
- tank size
- 55 gallons minimum
- temperament
- semi-aggressive
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.5-7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 5-12 dGH
- temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)