{"product_id":"flying-fox-shark-epalzeorhynchos-kalopterus","title":"Flying Fox Shark | Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Flying Fox is a slim, torpedo-shaped algae-grazer marked by a bold black stripe topped with a gold band, running from snout to tail. Reaching around 15–16 cm, it is a useful and characterful bottom fish, but it grows increasingly territorial with age and is best kept as a single specimen.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative to fast-flowing forest streams and rivers of South-East Asia, including Borneo, Sumatra, Java and the Malay Peninsula. It lives over rocks and submerged wood in clear, well-oxygenated water, grazing algae and biofilm from hard surfaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA streamlined body with a brownish back, a striking black lateral stripe edged above by a shimmering gold line, and clear-to-reddish fins. It is often confused with the Siamese Algae Eater, but the Flying Fox has a bolder black band and a distinct coloured edge to the dorsal and other fins.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSemi-aggressive and territorial, particularly as it matures. It largely ignores dissimilar fish but attacks its own kind and similar-shaped grazers such as other flying foxes, Siamese algae eaters and red-tail sharks. Keep just one, with active, robust mid- and upper-level tankmates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore with a taste for algae. It grazes aufwuchs and biofilm but must be offered a varied diet — quality sinking pellets and algae wafers, blanched vegetables, and small frozen foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp to keep it in good condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a mature, well-oxygenated tank with good flow, plenty of rocks, wood and broad-leaved plants for cover and territory. It is hardy and undemanding on water chemistry, but appreciates clean, oxygen-rich water and regular partial changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding in the home aquarium is essentially unrecorded, and commercial stock is produced on farms with hormonal assistance. Sexing is difficult and no reliable aquarium breeding method exists.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEpalzeorhynchos kalopterus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFlying Fox\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth-East Asia (Borneo, Sumatra, Java, Malay Peninsula)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–16 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10+ years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (territorial with age)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner to Intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (algae grazer)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e23–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–12 dGH (soft to medium)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eActive, well-oxygenated community and river-style aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRobust, active fish such as barbs, danios, larger rasboras and tetras, rainbowfish and gouramis that occupy the mid and upper water and can shrug off its bustling nature.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther flying foxes, Siamese algae eaters, red-tail and rainbow sharks, and any similar-shaped bottom grazer, plus very timid or slow fish it may harass.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232877723939,"sku":null,"price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232877756707,"sku":"AA2531","price":12.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232877789475,"sku":null,"price":17.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Flying_Fox_Shark_a70489f4-9070-48c6-a0d8-d0d2722d78d5.jpg?v=1781700849","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/flying-fox-shark-epalzeorhynchos-kalopterus","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}