Moderate

Flying Fox

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus

Complete Flying Fox care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 30 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

Flying Fox

Quick Answer

Flying Fox (Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus) is a graceful, fast-swimming fish from Southeast Asia. It requires a minimum 30 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.5 - 7.5 and temperature range of 22-26°C. This omnivore occupies the bottom/middle zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Flying Fox (Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus) is a graceful, fast-swimming fish from Southeast Asia. It is an effective algae eater but less so than the Siamese Algae Eater.

Setup

A 30-gallon or larger tank with plenty of swimming space and hiding spots. Moderate to strong current preferred. Well-oxygenated water.

Feeding

Omnivorous; eats algae, flakes, sinking pellets, frozen foods, and vegetable matter. Will also accept small live foods.

Compatibility

Generally peaceful but can be territorial with its own kind. Keep singly or in a group of 5+ in a large tank. Avoid with slow-moving fish. Good with barbs, danios, rainbowfish.

Tank Position
Bottom/Middle
Water Temp
22-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.5 - 7.5

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Leaf Fish Care Guide: Diet & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Angelfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet | The Aquarium Calculators semanticSimilarity Badis Care Guide: Tank Size & Compatibility semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Flying Foxes should be kept together?
Keep only one per aquarium unless the tank exceeds 75 gallons (284 liters) with dense obstacles (driftwood, rocks, plants) and a footprint of 48x18 inches (120x45 cm). Flying foxes (Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus) resemble Siamese algae eaters but become aggressive toward conspecifics as they mature, fighting over territories. Two males in under 55 gallons (208 liters) will chase and bite each other's fins. For a single adult, 30 gallons (113 liters) is adequate. Provide at least 3 driftwood caves and dense plant groupings. Avoid with other shark-like bottom dwellers (red tail sharks, rainbow sharks).
What are the exact water parameters for Flying Foxes?
Target pH 6.5 - 7.5, General Hardness 5 - 12 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 4 - 10 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 120 - 300 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 250 - 600 μS/cm, and temperature 72°F - 79°F (22°C - 26°C). They are active swimmers that require a secure lid to prevent jumping (cover all gaps). Maintain nitrates below 20 ppm with weekly 25% water changes. Use a canister filter with strong flow (10x turnover). Provide smooth rocks and driftwood. Hardness below 4 dGH causes clamped fins. Avoid sharp gravel.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Flying Foxes?
Juveniles are herbivorous (70% algae), but adults become omnivores requiring 50% plant matter, 30% protein, 20% algae. Feed sinking wafers, spirulina tabs, blanched zucchini, and cucumber daily. Supplement with flakes, pellets, and frozen bloodworms twice weekly. They consume hair algae when young. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.2 mg/L) but sensitive to formalin. Scaleless; use malachite green at half-dose (0.05 mg/L). Praziquantel is safe. Avoid salt (tolerance <3 ppt). Quarantine with methylene blue for 7 days.
How to breed Flying Foxes in captivity?
Breeding is very rare in home aquariums (requires large tanks and hormonal stimulation). Condition a group of 5-6 with high-protein foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp) for 4 weeks. Simulate rainy season: Lower temperature to 68°F (20°C), perform 50% water change with cool RO water over 6 hours, increase water flow. They are egg-scatterers; provide spawning mops and java moss. Female releases 500-1000 eggs. Remove parents after spawning. Eggs hatch in 24-36 hours at 75°F (24°C). Fry require green water for 5 days, then baby brine shrimp. Not recommended for hobbyists.

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