{"product_id":"flying-fox-epalzeorhynchos-kalopterus","title":"True Flying Fox (Epalzeorhynchos kalopterum)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRemarks:\u003c\/strong\u003e  The true flying fox (\u003cem\u003eEpalzeorhynchos kalopterum\u003c\/em\u003e) is a fish that has been coveted as a colorful addition to an aquarium’s clean up crew. While most “algae-eaters” tend to remain only silver or gray in color, the true flying fox breaks that trend. When mature individuals aren’t stressed, they sport a warm orange color overlaid with a black stripe along the top of the body and another running through each eye. Their double pair of barbels and red and black fins edged with white are used to identify true flying foxes as they otherwise can often be confused for other similar species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e  While the true flying fox is heralded as an excellent solution to nuisance algae in a manageable size, this mostly only holds true for when they are young. Since most of their time in the hobby has been with them not getting the best care, many have not kept this species alive long enough to see how they change as they age. These fish can live up to and possibly even longer than 15 years and while most max out around 4-5 inches, some can grow as large as 7 inches long. Such a large size paired with their active swimming style means these fish need more space than most realize with a tank no smaller than 40 gallons being appropriate for a single flying fox.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e  As they age, the color on the flying fox intensifies, but not their appetite for algae. Over time, their overall appetite slows down and they begin to prefer a more omnivorous diet. To meet their dietary needs, be sure to feed your flying fox a variety of foods with both vegetable matter and insect proteins. Most are not picky and usually take to almost any food offered. Be careful of housing them with my shy bottom dwellers as the flying fox might bully them away from food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e  True flying foxes have been known to occur in streams and rivers with fast-flowing currents in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Unfortunately, due to human development preventing their natural migrations during rainy seasons when these streams and rivers flood, wild populations have begun to dwindle. Due to this, it is suspected most flying foxes in the hobby are farm-raised. While being farm-raised often has fish become hardier, this species still is intolerant of water that is polluted or low in oxygen. To keep the flying fox healthy in your aquarium, provide them with plenty of filtration, water changes, and aeration. If given a wavemaker to simulate heavy currents, it can be an interesting to watch them swim through it almost effortlessly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e  For the most part, flying foxes are peaceful fish so long as their tankmates don’t look like them. They live in groups but have a very intense pecking order that can extend to conspecifics if they are present. To prevent unneeded stress and potential injuries, only keep one flying fox if they are going to be in a smaller aquarium with tankmates that do not look like them. If wanting to keep as a group, be sure to have them in a large aquarium with plenty of hiding spots and in a group of at least 8 or more. Any less and the school may fixate on the weakest member, bullying them to the point of injury or even death. If the right precautions are taken, you are likely to witness interesting natural behaviors between members of the school as they assert and maintain their place in the pecking order.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Imperial Tropicals","offers":[{"title":"1-2\" Unsexed","offer_id":67959759995187,"sku":"H-62","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2-3\" Unsexed","offer_id":67965307224371,"sku":"H-62","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0764\/6524\/2419\/files\/TrueFlyingFox1Website.jpg?v=1794500319","url":"https:\/\/imperialtropicals.com\/products\/flying-fox-epalzeorhynchos-kalopterus","provider":"Imperial Tropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}