Flying Fox or Bristle Nose?

[noclueman]

I was going to get a bristle nose plec for my tank but the guy at the fish store suggested flying foxes instead. I hadn't heard of them till now.

It looks like a flying fox (epalzeorhynchus kalopterus) can get up to 6 inches and is not aggressive towards other fish like the chineese algae eater.

I have a 55 gallon tank with pictus cat, which is why I don't want to use oto's ... they'd get eaten. So I was trying to choose an algae eater that will grow 4"-6" and non aggressive.

What do you guys think? (I hope this post isn't confusing I was in a big hurry)

Also with flying fox, do I need to get more than 1?

Thanks for all the info,
noclueman

 

[pebbles]

i woudnt get the flying fox , better to get the siamese algea eater[crossocheilus siamensis..].and best to get a few . flying foxes can get agressive as they get older .

 

[Melfice]

i woudnt get the flying fox , better to get the siamese algea eater[crossocheilus siamensis..].and best to get a few . flying foxes can get agressive as they get older .

Siamese algae eaters are great. Make sure you get the true version tho. Crossocheilus siamensis.

 

[noclueman]

Oh, from what I read the flying fox doesn't get aggressive.

if they do though, I will stay away from them. Thanks.

Can you tell me anything more about the Crossocheilus siamensis?

I will do a search for it but sometimes the info I find isn't that great.

What I want to know is:
adult size
aggressiveness
how many for a 55 gallon tank?

Thanks a bunch guys,
noclueman

 

[Melfice]

Oh, from what I read the flying fox doesn't get aggressive.

if they do though, I will stay away from them. Thanks.

Can you tell me anything more about the Crossocheilus siamensis?

I will do a search for it but sometimes the info I find isn't that great.

What I want to know is:
adult size
aggressiveness
how many for a 55 gallon tank?

Thanks a bunch guys,
noclueman

Scientific Name: Crossocheilus siamensis
Other Names: SAE, Siamese Fox
Family: Cyprinidae
Origin: Southeast Asia; Thailand
Adult Size: 5.5 inches (14 cm)
Social: Peaceful, suitable for community tanks
Lifespan: 5 years
Tank Level: Bottom, Mid dweller
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallon
Diet: Herbivore
Breeding: Egglayer
Care: Easy
pH: 6.5
Hardness: 5 dGH
Temperature: 75-79 F (24-26 C)

 

[Sanj]

Yes the siamese flying Fox/siamese Algae eater is the best for cleaning algar...just that it can be difficult to get sometimes.

Do not confuse with Flying Fox's ...they are nto the same and nowhere near as good at algae eating.


I have two bristlnoses ...not sure how good they are , but have heard they are pretty decent...just they dont have the same scope as the good old SAE.

 

[noclueman]

Thank you for the replies. I will call the fish store again and ask them to order me some Crossocheilus siamensis.

Do I need just 1? In my 10gallon tank I got 3 oto's cause I was told they like to be in groups. In my 55gallon I have none yet.

Thanks

 

[Melfice]

Oh, from what I read the flying fox doesn't get aggressive.

if they do though, I will stay away from them. Thanks.

Can you tell me anything more about the Crossocheilus siamensis?

I will do a search for it but sometimes the info I find isn't that great.

What I want to know is:
adult size
aggressiveness
how many for a 55 gallon tank?

Thanks a bunch guys,
noclueman

More info for you. Also, it tells you how to make sure you're getting the right version of Aglae Eater. Good Luck

Siamese Algae Eater

 

[Final Dynazty]

Get a bristlenose they will clean ur tank like no other. and they only get a maxium of 6 in. max

 

[Melfice]

Get a bristlenose they will clean ur tank like no other. and they only get a maxium of 6 in. max

Maybe so, but my two SAE do great work. The tank is clean and there is never a build up. I like the SAE over the Bristle. One, they are very active and fun to watch. Second, there is NO WHERE near the waste lol

 

[noclueman]

From the link you gave on SAE's ....
"They should not be kept with Red-tailed Sharks (Epalzeorhynchus bicolor) unless the aquarium is large and well planted, because that species is very aggressive towards all its relatives."

Bah......I have a rainbow shark (epalzeorhynchus franatus). Sounds very similar to the red-tailed shark. Does this mean the SAE will not work for me?

 

[Melfice]

From the link you gave on SAE's ....
"They should not be kept with Red-tailed Sharks (Epalzeorhynchus bicolor) unless the aquarium is large and well planted, because that species is very aggressive towards all its relatives."

Bah......I have a rainbow shark (epalzeorhynchus franatus). Sounds very similar to the red-tailed shark. Does this mean the SAE will not work for me?

That's a good question. I think the website would had listed them too. Research more if you want. Or go with the Bristle Nose instead.