Flying Fox Carp (Epalzeorhynchos kalopterum)
| Flying Fox Carp Epalzeorhynchos kalopterum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Flying Fox Carp |
| Name Lat. | Epalzeorhynchos kalopterum |
| Synonym | Barbus kalopterus |
| Family | Carps |
| Family lat. | Cyprinidae |
| Order | Carps |
| Order lat. | Cypriniformes |
| Origin | Southeast Asia |
| Habitat | Tributaries, streams |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 6.5-7.5 |
| Behavior | Territorial |
| Keeping | Individual, group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Egg scatterer |
| Breeding | None reported |
| Life Span | 4-7 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 14-16 cm |
| Temperature | 20-26 °C |
| Hardness | 2-12 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 300 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 5.5"-6" |
| Temperature | 68-79 °F |
| Hardness | 36-214 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 80 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The Fairfin Snout Barbs are common in the Malay Peninsula as well as Java, Sumatra and Borneo. They live there in the shallow water of tributaries and streams, as well as in residual water ponds and floodplains with tree roots and dead wood.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have a border planting, with numerous hiding places (roots, stones, caves) and a substrate of round gravel and sand covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves). A slight current is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
They feed mainly on the plant cover (growth) and the microorganisms contained therein, as well as on plankton. The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality dry food (granules, pellets, tabs) as well as cyclops, daphnia, artemia and plankton (live or frozen). In addition, they also need vegetable food, such as algae leaves and commercially available green food (kelp, spirulina)
Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
Adults are territorial, but can be socialized without problems, e.g. with larger barbs. Interspecific incompatibility only occurs if they are kept in pairs or threes and do not have sufficient hiding places. Keeping a group is only recommended in a larger and richly structured tank
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water quality and water temperature may be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
No external sexual characteristics are known. Adult males are slightly more slender than females
Reproduction and breeding
There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.
Important
Basically, aquarium plants do not serve them as food.
The Siamese Trunked Barb (Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus) is often confused with the algae-eating Siamese Trunked Barb (Crossocheilus oblongus). The fairfin snout barbs have red and black colored fins and a white fin fringe, which the Siamese snout barbs lack
The well-being of the fish should be monitored regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: petdata
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF