Flying Fox

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

Physical

The lower half of Flying Fox's 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.


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, which they will chase and be chased by, as well as swim in a tight circle with, though usually neither is injured, and usually the paradise fish wins.