Is the Flying Fox a good fish for beginners?

The Flying Fox is generally considered better suited to intermediate aquarists. Its water quality needs and the territorial behavior it develops with age call for a bit more attention than many other tropical fish, so some prior keeping experience is helpful.

Can Flying Foxes be kept with other fish?

Juveniles are fairly peaceful, but adults tend to chase both their own kind and fish of similar body shape. When choosing tankmates, pick fish with a different body shape and provide a spacious tank with plenty of hiding places.

How big do Flying Foxes get?

They can grow to around 16cm at maximum. Plan for a tank size that will comfortably accommodate an adult before bringing one home.

How long do Flying Foxes live?

Under good care, they can live 15 years or more. Because of this, it's worth planning for a long-term commitment before getting one.

Are there any legal restrictions on keeping Flying Foxes?

Flying Foxes are not subject to CITES.

Flying Fox

The Flying Fox is a bottom-dwelling cyprinid native to Southeast Asia, prized for its golden-brown body marked by a bold black stripe and a gilded line, with fins that fade to white at the tips. Active and streamlined, it spends much of its time patrolling the lower and mid levels of the tank. Juveniles are generally peaceful and can be kept with tankmates, but as they mature they become increasingly territorial, chasing off other Flying Foxes or similarly shaped fish. With a lifespan of 15 years or more and an adult size of up to 16cm, this is a long-term commitment best suited to intermediate keepers who can plan ahead for its space and temperament needs.

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Flying Fox key facts

Care level: Intermediate
Lifespan: Over 15 years
Size: Up to 16cm TL
Temperature: 20〜26℃
Diet: Sinking dried foods, frozen foods and vegetable matter
Tank: Seriously Fish suggests a 120 x 45cm base of about 243 litres and FishBase a minimum tank length of 100cm. Driftwood and rock that give cover and break sight lines help it settle. Prioritise floor area.
Water Temperature & Quality: Seriously Fish gives 20-26C, pH 6.0-7.5 and 2-12 dGH, while FishBase records pH 6.5-7.0, 5-8 dH and 24-26C. It prefers soft, acidic to neutral water and a mature, settled tank.
Tank Mates: Juveniles hide, but territoriality grows with age and it harries similarly shaped fish. Do not keep it with its own kind or congeners. Loaches of Chromobotia, Botia, Syncrossus and Yasuhikotakia are reported to be left alone.
Diet & Feeding: An omnivore taking worms, crustaceans, insects and plant matter. Use sinking dried food as the staple with frozen bloodworm, Artemia and a plant-based food. Its value as an algae grazer is limited.
Breeding & Spawning: Adults fight hard, so home breeding is almost unreported, and traded fish come mainly from Southeast Asian farms.
Health & Notes: It is easily confused with the similarly shaped Siamese flying fox of the genus Crossocheilus, and buying this species for algae control will disappoint. It can live beyond fifteen years. The IUCN rates it Least Concern and it is not listed by CITES.

TraitsBottom dwellerKeep singlyTerritorialCyprinid

About Flying Fox

Flying Fox: a bottom-dwelling cyprinid with a golden-brown body, black stripe, and gold line. An intermediate-level tropical fish that grows territorial with age, living 15+ years and reaching up to 16cm.

7 things to know before welcoming a Flying Fox

1Best Kept Solo
As Flying Foxes mature, they become increasingly territorial and will chase after other Flying Foxes or similarly shaped fish. If you're considering keeping more than one, give them a spacious tank with plenty of hiding spots and visual barriers.
2A Bottom Dweller
This bottom-dwelling cyprinid stays active in the lower and mid levels of the tank. Driftwood and rockwork that create varied terrain help bring out its natural behavior.
3Sensitive to Water Changes
Flying Foxes can be sensitive to sudden shifts in water quality or temperature. Take time to acclimate new arrivals slowly, and avoid abrupt changes during routine maintenance.
4Choose Tankmates Carefully
Juveniles are generally calm, but adults can turn aggressive toward fish of similar shape or coloring, not just their own kind. Fish with a different body shape that occupy the middle or upper water column tend to coexist more peacefully.
5Plan for the Long Haul
With a lifespan of 15 years or more and a maximum size of around 16cm, this is a long-term commitment. Think ahead about tank size and available space before bringing one home.
6A Helpful Algae Grazer
Omnivorous by nature, Flying Foxes will graze on algae, biofilm, and leftover food in the tank. A balanced prepared diet supplemented with occasional plant-based food works well as they grow.
7Watch for Jumping
Startled fish may leap suddenly, so an open-top tank is risky for this species. Keep a tight-fitting lid and seal any gaps to prevent jumping incidents.

Frequently asked questions about Flying Fox

Q.Is the Flying Fox a good fish for beginners?: A.The Flying Fox is generally considered better suited to intermediate aquarists. Its water quality needs and the territorial behavior it develops with age call for a bit more attention than many other tropical fish, so some prior keeping experience is helpful.
Q.Can Flying Foxes be kept with other fish?: A.Juveniles are fairly peaceful, but adults tend to chase both their own kind and fish of similar body shape. When choosing tankmates, pick fish with a different body shape and provide a spacious tank with plenty of hiding places.
Q.How big do Flying Foxes get?: A.They can grow to around 16cm at maximum. Plan for a tank size that will comfortably accommodate an adult before bringing one home.
Q.How long do Flying Foxes live?: A.Under good care, they can live 15 years or more. Because of this, it's worth planning for a long-term commitment before getting one.
Q.Are there any legal restrictions on keeping Flying Foxes?: A.Flying Foxes are not subject to CITES.

Useful tools for Flying Fox care

💧Aquarium Volume CalculatorCalculate water volume, weight, and heater wattage from tank dimensions 🧪Water Quality CheckerFind compatible fish, shrimp, plants & corals based on pH, temperature & hardness 🍽️Feeding GuideCheck feeding frequency, portion sizes & supplements by species and growth stage 🤝Compatibility CheckerCheck compatibility between two species on a 5-level scale 📊Fish Compatibility MatrixCheck fish compatibility at a glance with our matrix chart 🔄Nitrogen Cycle GuideAuto-calculate bacteria colonization timeline for new tank cycling 🗓️Seasonal Care CalendarMonthly care events and seasonal management tips at a glance 🚿Water Change CalculatorAuto-calculate optimal water change frequency and volume by tank size and fish count 🐠Stocking CalculatorCalculate max fish capacity for your tank size with overstocking alerts ⚡Electricity Cost SimulatorCalculate monthly and annual electricity costs for care equipment with presets 🧬Breeding PlannerSelect parent varieties to view breeding schedules and offspring patterns 🏞️Tank Layout PlannerGet substrate, plant & hardscape suggestions based on tank size and style 🧮Care Cost SimulatorEstimate initial, monthly & annual costs by category, care level and quantity ⚖️Species Comparison ToolCompare two species side by side: care difficulty, size, lifespan & temperature 🎯Pet Match DiagnosticAnswer 7 questions to find your top 3 perfect pets 📋Lifetime Cost SimulatorEstimate lifespan and lifetime costs by species for dogs, cats, reptiles and more 🚚Transport Safety CheckerCheck transport safety score and precautions by category, season, method and distance 💊Medication Dosage CalculatorCalculate proper medication dosage by body weight and medicine type for fish, reptiles, and small animals ⏱️Quarantine & Acclimation TimerManage quarantine periods and acclimation steps with countdown timers. Includes recommended durations by species

Learn more about Flying Fox in the encyclopedia

View Flying Fox encyclopedia entry →

Care difficulty, lifespan, size and diet — all basics covered.

Flying Fox related articles

Siamese Flying Fox Care Guide | Algae-Eating Ability, Tank Mates, and Important Notes

A comprehensive guide to caring for the Siamese Flying Fox (Crossocheilus siamensis), a popular choice for controlling algae in aquariums. This article covers their algae-eating abilities, black beard algae consumption, characteristics, personality changes as they grow, tank mate compatibility, and common misidentification problems—everything you need to know before bringing one home.

See more Flying Fox articles →