Flying fox (fish)

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Flying fox
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Cypriniformes Family: Cyprinidae Genus: Epalzeorhynchos Species: E. kalopterus
Binomial name
Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus (Bleeker, 1851)
Synonyms
Barbus kalopterus Barbus kallopterus Epalzeorhynchos kallopterus Bleeker, 1851

The flying fox (Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus) is a popular freshwater community-aquarium fish that belongs to the Cyprinidae family. It is known to eat green algae.^[1][2][3] It is also known as kuonobarbi in the aquarium trade and is sometimes mistakenly referred to as the Siamese Algae Eater.^[4][5]

Contents 1 Physical description 2 Distribution and habitat 3 In the aquarium 3.1 Tank requirements 3.2 Behavior 3.3 Life span 3.4 Diet 3.5 Breeding 4 Similar species 5 References 5.1 Specific 5.2 General

[edit] Physical description

The flying fox fish has a characteristic long body with a flat abdominal area. Its dorsal area has a coloration ranging from olive to dark brown. The lower half of its body has a yellowish white hue. A brownish-black line is apparent from its mouth, eye and the caudal fins. On top of this brownish-black line is a gold-colored stripe. The eyes of a flying fox may have a reddish iris. Its dorsal, anal and ventral finnage comprise of a black band and a white edge.^[1][3]

Although known to grow up to 6 inches (15 cm), flying foxes have an average length of 4.7 inches (12 cm) in an aquarium setting.^[1][3]

[edit] Distribution and habitat

The flying fox is a bottom-dweller that thrives in fast-flowing foothill rivers and streams of Borneo, Java and Sumatra in Indonesia of Southeast Asia. They are also found in Thailand.^[1][3]

[edit] In the aquarium

[edit] Tank requirements

A 30 to 40 gallon tank lined with fine gravel substrate is suitable for an average-sized flying fox fish. Being bottom-dwellers, the aquarium for flying foxes require broad-leaved plants, rocks, and driftwood to serve as hiding places. Because the flying fox is a known algae-eater, the tank is normally provided with adequate lighting. Flying foxes survive in aquarium water that has a 6 to 7.5 pH reading, a water hardness ranging from 2 to 12 dH, and temperatures maintained at (23 to 27°C) 73 to 81°F.^[1][2]

[edit] Behavior

Being a community-tank fish, flying foxes are compatible with acaras, angelfish, barbs, danios, eartheaters, gouramis, knifefish, loaches, tetras and rasboras. Aquarium fishkeepers may also keep flying fox fish as a lone tank fish or in schools. A small congregation of flying fox fish may, however, exhibit territorial behavior. Lone foxes often challenge other species for dominance, particularly paradise fish males, of which they will chase and be chased, as well and swim in a tight circle with, though usually neither is injured, and usually the paradise fish wins.^[1]

[edit] Life span

In the aquarium, flying foxes may live from 8 to 10 years.^[6][2]

[edit] Diet

Although an algae eater, flying foxes are also known to consume food in the form of flakes, wafers and tablets. Being omnivorous, vegetables such as spinach, zucchini and lettuce, as well as live planarias, tubifex worms, crustaceans and other aquatic insects are normally offered to flying foxes. Oatmeal is also served to flying foxes. It does not consume red algae.^[1][2][3]

[edit] Breeding

Gender among flying foxes is difficult to determine. Flying foxes are not known to reproduce in the aquarium.^[1]

[edit] Similar species

The flying fox is similar to the Siamese algae eater (Crossocheilus siemensis) and the False Flying Fox (Garra cambodgiensis) when young.^[4]

[edit] References

[edit] Specific

[edit] General

• Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus (Bleeker, 1851), Taxonomic Serial No.: 639590, ITIS.gov, 2007, retrieved on: August 21, 2007

• Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus on the Aquarium Wiki Encyclopaedia