Silver Flying Fox (Crossocheilus reticulatus)
The Silver Flying Fox is known for the subtle pattern and elongated, slender shark-like appearance and dynamic nature and devouring appetite for various types of nuisance algae, particularly beard algae.
The Silver Flying Fox is relatively easy to care for as they are tolerant of a wide range of water parameters. Although they are also peaceful fish, they will more than likely eat other small invertebrates such as dwarf shrimp. It does not, however, seem to bother most snails.
They are known to jump, so make sure your lids are on securely.
These species have silver bodies with dark-edged scales that add soft texture. It also has a black spot at the base of the tail and lacks the horizontal stripe found in most other Algae eaters, and their fins are translucent with yellow shading.
| Quick Facts | |
| Scientific Name | Crossocheilus reticulatus |
| Other Names | Reticulated Siamese Algae Eater, Fishnet Flying Fox, Reticulated Flying Fox |
| Family | Cyprinidae |
| Genus | Crossocheilus |
| Origins | Southeast Asia |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Bottom - Middle |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | Yes |
| Best kept as | Groups 5+ |
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Layer |
| Lifespan | 5 - 10 years |
| Water Parameters | |
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| Temperature | 61 - 75 ℉ (16.1 - 23.9 ℃) |
| PH | 6.0 - 7.5 |
| GH | 1 - 12 |
| TDS | 18 -215 |
Habitat
You will find the Silver flying fox in the Mekong River Basin in Yunnan China, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia in the Chao Phraya River and the Mae Klong River in Thailand in Southeast Asia.
They inhabit clear, shallow flowing streams of strong current with a substrate of boulders, gravel, pebbles and sand, often in areas with tree roots or sunken driftwood.
The shallow waters allow sunlight to hit the surface, which leaves a rich biofilm that the fish will happily graze on.
Other Sharks of interest
Diet & Feeding
The Silver Flying Fox can't metabolise high protein foods efficiently, so they should be avoided.
They are primarily algae eaters, but they will happily accept high-quality dry foods like flakes and pellets with added Spirulina. Frozen foods and boiled vegetables such as shelled peas, blanched courgette, spinach and algae wafers are also essential in their diet.
Sexual Dimorphism
It is pretty challenging to sex this species visually. Mature females tend to have a fuller belly and thicker bodies than males.
Breeding
The silver flying fox doesn't appear to have been bred in the aquarium hobby, although similar species have been induced to spawn artificially using hormone treatments.
Other members of this genus undergo seasonal reproductive migrations in the wild, moving upstream when the weather is dryer and in the opposite direction when the water levels rise.
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