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Freshwater   Fishes

Flying fox (fish)
(Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus)

Flying fox (fish)

Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)

Names

Scientific name
Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus
Barbus kalopterus
Epalzeorhynchos kalopterum
Epalzeorhynchus kallopterus

Common name
Flying fox

Origin

what are its countries of origin?

Origin: East India, Indonesia, Thailand, Sumatra, Borneo
Biotope: Asian

Dimorphism

what are the physical differences between males and females?

The males are slimmer than the females.

Group

Group

Cyprinidae

Volume

what is the minimum volume for this species?

350 L / 77 Imp Gal / 92 US Gal

Parameters

what are the water parameters for the maintenance of this fish?

T°: 23 to 27°C or 73 to 81°F
pH: 6.5 to 7
Hardness: 5 to 10°dGH

Difficulty

Difficulty

Average

Size

what is the maximum size of this fish?

14 to 16cm (5.5 to 6.3")

Longevity

what is the average Longevity of this fish?

10 years

Living zone

in which area of the aquarium does this fish live?

Middle and depth

Individuals

sociability of the species

1 or 3

Food

How to feed the Flying fox?

Food

How to feed the Flying fox?

This omnivorous fish needs meat as well as vegetable food. It accepts all types of food that you will offer it. Note that he may eat plankton...

Do not buy it as an "algae eater" because even if it is true that it eats algae when it is young, this behaviour fades with age! We also invite you to understand where your algae come from and to identify this problem in order to remedy it. Buying a fish for its sole function as an "algae eater" is strongly discouraged (it doesn't work very well).

Beware of overfeeding, which can make it fatten.

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Flying fox have?

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Flying fox have?

Generally speaking, it is a lively and active species that likes to swim. They are very territorial fish that will fiercely defend their area of life. They evolve close to the bottom, but sometimes they leave this zone to feed.

When they are young, the Epalzeo can live peacefully together. However, as they grow older, they come to be unable to bear the presence of their congeners with whom they fight when they are kept in aquariums that are too small. Generally speaking, their character really takes a bad turn as they get older. Finally, note that you may have kept your Epalzeo for a long time in a certain configuration, which they will no longer be able to bear when they get older. You must remain attentive to the good cohabitation of its fishes throughout their life, because things can evolve.

At rest, they like to lean on its pelvic fins.

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Flying fox?

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Flying fox?

Because of their bad temper, caution is required when choosing their roommates. To begin with, an individual kept alone can become extremely aggressive towards any of their roommates.

Don't associate them with fish with strong character or territorial characteristics that share the same living area: it's guaranteed war! Similarly, avoid species that are too calm or shy, which would be disturbed by its intense activity. Cohabitation with small fish (less than 5 cm / 2") and flatfish (Discus type) is not possible. Fish resembling him are also to be banished (Crosso, Garra, Labeo, Gyrino, Botia). Finally, it would be preferable that it is the only bottom species.

The (few) remaining species are generally well accepted.

Breeding

How to breed the Flying fox?

Breeding

How to breed the Flying fox?

The breeding protocol is unknown in captivity.

Its aquarium

Which aquarium for the Flying fox?

Its aquarium

Which aquarium for the Flying fox?

A group of Kalopterus requires an aquarium of at least 350 litres and very planted. It will have to offer many hiding places (upside down flower pots, holes in roots...). The soil will be a good layer of fine, non-cutting gravel or sand.

It likes moderate currents and clear, well-oxygenated water. For this, choose a powerful filtration that will ensure these two parameters.

He can jump out of his aquarium! Remember to cover it and protect your lighting.

Good To know

Find all additional information!

Good To know

Find all additional information!

It has two pairs of barbels that are actually sensory organs that allow it to find its food.

Even if it is sometimes called "Siamese flying fox", it is a mistake because it has no origin in Siam!

Not to be confused with Crossocheilus oblongus!

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

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