Flying Fox Info

[snowflake311]

I just bought a Flying fox for my 55 Gal planted tank. I hope he will help clean up some algae. But the main reason I got him is because I was fascinated by him. I researched them. There is lots of different info on this fish. Some say they clean algae well and others say they don't. So I had to try one out for myself.

I'm 100% sure it is a Flying fox and not one of the other 2. I have been looking at many many pictures of them all and read description I know he is a flying fox.

So does anyone have any personal experience with these fish you would care to share?

 

[TimNorwich]

I too bought one the other day, he's in a tank with my rainbows. He's a bit shy... I've recently upgraded my tank and haven't got to the point of getting algae for him to clean, either that or as soon at turns up he cleans it .

I hear the 'fake' flying fox's don't eat as much algae when they grow older.

Good pick on the flying fox though, they look brilliant .

EDIT, do you not like plecs?

 

[snowflake311]

I love plecos. I have a Albino BN that does an ok job of cleaning the algae off the sides of the glass when he is not hanging out in the bubbles. but he does not seems to go any where near the rocks. That might have something to do with the Blue acaras don't want him too. But he also does not go on the wood I have in there. I also have a medusa pleco but she is a waste of space. I never see her and she does no cleaning at all.

My other BN in my 36 Gal tank is the best. She is always out every where cleaning things I love her. But my albino he is a weirdo.

My flying fox is hiding out right now still getting use to the new tank I just got her today. So we will see how she does once she feels comfortable. she is about 3" long.

 

[TimNorwich]

Sounds like a good size, they look really cool when they are bigger. Sorry if it seems like I am hijacking your thread, but do your BN plecs feast on your plants? Also do they produce a lot of waste? I had a common (gold nugget?) plec and he could crap for England.

I have a ?Red-finned Garra? fish, and he does a smashing job at cleaning the algae.

 

[snowflake311]

Sounds like a good size, they look really cool when they are bigger. Sorry if it seems like I am hijacking your thread, but do your BN pleocs feast on your plants? Also do they produce a lot of waste? I had a common (gold nugget?) plec and he could crap for England.

I have a ?Red-finned Garra? fish, and he does a smashing job at cleaning the algae.

Oh yeah my Bristle nose plecos can poop. All plecos are poop machines that's a fact. If you don't want long dark poops in your tank don't get one. But I find they are worth the extra mess. I love plecos and think no tank is complete with out one. But that's just me. I have 4 of them. 1 Albino BN 1 Regular BN, 1 clown pleco, one good size Medusa pleco.

So far I'm very happy that I got this Flying fox. He is tought enough and fast enough to not be bothered with my Spawning Blue acaras. In fact I think having this new larger fish around is helping them be better parents. It's a long story but So far so good. Since being added his color is really nice. his stripe is bright and his fins have more color to them. Pretty cool fish can't wait to see if he helps clean the algae off the rocks.



I have just learned about the Garra. I have never seen one before.

 

[snowflake311]

Oh and no none of my plecos never have hurt my plants. one of mine likes to hang off of my Onion plant leaves and hang then glides down. I love it when she does that.

 

[NaughtyT]

I have had 2 flying foxes for around 8 months now and they are brilliant fish in my experience.

They don't really do much in the way of eating algae but they swim at high speed around the tank almost all day,good fun to watch and lovely looking fish too.

 

[B13]

My Flying Fox spends his spare time chasing my Danios!!



Gorgeous fish tho'...

 

[crazychris]

I have had 2 flying foxes for around 8 months now and they are brilliant fish in my experience.

Don't they fight? Thought you're only supposed to keep one, like sharks, as they're a bit intolerant of their own kind. I have a lovely one. When I bought him and put him in the tank he took an instant dislike to my blind cave fish though and started bullying and injuring him so he had to go in another tank.

 

[NaughtyT]

Nope they never fight and are always together,they don't even bother anything else in the tank

 

[FoMoCo]

Nope they never fight and are always together,they don't even bother anything else in the tank

Great fish, to me they seem like shoaling fish, the three I had never moved away more than a few inches of each other. Keep a tight fitting lid on your tank though, they don't call them FLYING foxes for nothing! One of mine jumped out of a 50 pence sized feeding hole & landed on the floor. Luckily I saw it happen & picked him up & put him back in and he was fine after a few minutes of hiding.

 

[beechey]

had mine about 3 days now not shy atall always out in the open

is it me but does yours never stay still and constantly changeing directions its like its so paranoid lol

mineis always grazing the algie

 

[crazychris]

had mine about 3 days now not shy atall always out in the open

is it me but does yours never stay still and constantly changeing directions its like its so paranoid lol

mineis always grazing the algie

Mine's the same, always grazing the plants, ornaments and tank sides. Also always the first when food goes in and eats everything very well.