How to Identify and Care for Flying Fox Fish

The Flying Fox fish (epalzeorhynchus kallopterus), is a freshwater aquarium fish that belongs to the family Cyprinidae. It is native to the rivers of Northern India, Indonesia, Thailand, Sumatra and Borneo. The Flying Fox is a relatively peaceful fish, though it tends to get more aggressive as it ages. For this reason, a small flying fox will fit in well in a community aquarium. Read on to learn how to identify and care for your Flying Fox fish.

Things You'll Need

  • 36-gallon tank Flying Fox fish Filter, heater, pump (optional) Freshwater test kits Tropical fish flakes and meaty fish food Aquarium decorations
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Instructions

  1. Identifying a Flying Fox Fish

    • 1

      Identify the Flying Fox first by its characteristically long, slender, torpedo-shape body, which grows to an average length of 4.5 to 5 inches.

    • 2

      Take into account its coloration, which ranges from olive green to dark brown. A brownish-black horizontal stripe runs the length of its body, with a bright, narrower tallow stripe just above it. The fish has a yellowish-white hue in the bottom half of its body.

    • 3

      Note that all its fins have white tips, and its dorsal fin has a black base.

    • 4

      Look out for a downturned mouth with two pairs of barbells. The Flying Fox fish often has reddish-tinged irises in its eyes.

    Provide Your Flying Fox Fish With Ideal Tank Conditions

    • 5

      Purchase a 36-gallon or larger aquarium tank for Flying Fox fish. Clean the tank (see Resources below) and then fill it with room temperature water. Before putting in the Flying Fox, let the water sit 24 hours.

    • 6

      Install your filter and heater in the Flying Fox's aquarium. Set the heater at 70 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 25 degrees Celsius).

    • 7

      Use the freshwater test kit to maintain water conditions at a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5 and dH range of 5 to 8.

    • 8

      Spread your gravel in the tank. Be sure to purchase gravel that does not have any sharp edges.

    • 9

      Add aquarium decorations that include hiding places. The fish will appreciate having broad-leaved plants in the fish tank as well.

    • 10

      Acclimate your Flying Fox to the aquarium before releasing them into their new home (see Resources below). This helps minimize the shock and stress of adjusting to a new environment

    Provide a Proper Diet for Flying Fox Fish

    • 11

      Feed your Flying Fox fish with high-quality tropical fish flakes or pellets.

    • 12

      Supplement the diet with live, freeze-dried or frozen meaty foods such as bloodworm, beef heart or other meaty fish food.

    • 13

      Do not clean up the algae that accumulate in the fish tank, because Flying Foxes feed on these algae.

    • 14

      Feed your fish once a day. Only provide enough food that they can eat within 5 minutes. Overfeeding your fish will cause leftover food to rot and release toxins into the aquarium water.