Flying Fox

[tucan]

i was at pets at home today and they had some flying fox, i quite like them, but i thought i research them here first.there doesn't seem to have much info on them - or maybe i'm looking in the wrong place. can anyone help

thanks

 

[rdd1952]

There are 3 fish that are sold as flying foxes: Flying Foxes, Siamese Algae Eaters, and False Siamese Algae Eaters. Here is a link to an article that explains the differences rather well. Basically, the difference is in the strip on the side and where it starts and ends. I would suggest getting SAEs if you can find them instead of Flying Foxes. They eat more algae and you can have several in a tank. I love mine.

 

[scouse_andy]

SAEs are great.

I had 3, lost one a while back but the other two are getting pretty big now, very nice colouration and absolutely fly around the tank.

 

[doresy]

Hi, I have an SAE. I did have 2 and they were always bickering (when adult size) Now I have just the one it is fine. They do tend to eat algae more when they are little but as they grow they find flake/pellet food alot easier. I think they get lazy. Keep away from Chinese Algae Eaters

 

[rdd1952]

Doresy, are you sure they are true and not one of the imitations? That sounds a lot like the FF or FSAE as they do tend to get aggressive toward their own kind when they get older. I have 3 and they never pick at or fight each other. SAEs do like flakes and pellets though. My tank is pretty much algae free though so I'm not certain what they would do if it was there.

 

[doresy]

yup, rdd1952, fairly certain it's a SAE (compared pics from Google) The bickering between the 2 that I had was only when food was offered otherwise peace ruled (My original post may have been misleading). One died a while back for no reason I could determine. Like you, I pretty much have the algae under control now but the SAE has favoured suppliment food for some time.

 

[rdd1952]

My 3 SAEs are some of the biggest pigs in the tank. They're almost worse than the angels about coming to the front of the tank looking for food when I walk by. They love shrimp pellets. I've had one of them since I set up the tank almost 3 years ago. The other 2 are over 2 years old. Great little fish and always active.

 

[The-Wolf]

just thought I'd add...
a trick to searching the internet for flying foxes is to search for flying fox fish.
if you just search flying fox most of the hits will be about the fruit bat with the same name