Home · Cyprinidae · Flying fox
Flying fox (Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus) — Cyprinidae

Flying fox

Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus
Family: Cyprinidae

The Flying fox (Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus) is a fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The flying fox is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of Sundaland in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a slender, elongate body with a golden-brown back, a broad black longitudinal stripe over the flank and reddish fins with black markings. As a bottom-oriented fish it clings to stones and wood with its inferior mouth and rasps algae, biofilm and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flying fox?

The Flying fox is mainly brown and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Flying fox live?

The Flying fox is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Flying fox get?

The Flying fox grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Flying fox dangerous to humans?

No, the Flying fox is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vliegende vos sourced
English name
Flying fox sourced
Scientific name
Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
15 sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Epalzeorhynchos

More from the family Cyprinidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →