black brush flying fox

[andy1985]

I read in the sticky that flying foxes are good for black brush alge i just wonder what people have found in using them?

 

[Sab_Fan]

I don't think the Flying Fox (epalzeorhynchus kalopterus) is the best choice; you might want to check out a similar fish called the Siamese Algae Eater (crossocheilus siamensis)

I have kept SAEs in my planted tanks for years, specifically because they do an excellent job of eating beard/hair algae . . .

here is a link to a site that explains the differences and how to identify SAE:

http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/

and here is a link to a website that sells them (and Flying Foxes):

http://www.azgardens.com/c-18-the-algae-squad.aspx

 

[andy1985]

Thanks for that i have to take a good look at the fish before i buy them then.

 

[msjinkzd]

Siamese algae eaters are great algae eaters as juveniles, as they get larger they are less inclined to eat algae.

 

[Sab_Fan]

Siamese algae eaters are great algae eaters as juveniles, as they get larger they are less inclined to eat algae.

I've heard that about Chinese algae eaters, but the SAEs in my 90G are full grown and still seem to be doing a good job . . .

another thing I'd add is that these fish are good community fish, I keep them in schools of 5 or 6 and they never cause any trouble

 

[msjinkzd]

I probably should have specified that they stop eating the less palatable forms of algaes (mainly black brush) IME as they get older especially in a tank with ample supplemented foods. Glad they are still doing well for you though.

 

[Sab_Fan]

hey, you may be right . . . since there isn't much algae any more, it's hard to know if it's because they are eating it, or because my tank is just more stable

 

[mgamer20o0]

mine wouldnt touch any algae as adults. its better to figure out the problem and fix it i think then adding fish.

 

[Sab_Fan]

"better" it may be, but I struggled with beard/hair algae for weeks before buying SAEs a few years ago; now, I do not have this problem.

what I think they accomplished for me was controlling the algae while my tanks stabilized . . . I no longer have the algae problems, and I like the fish . . .

anyway, that was my approach and I am pleased with the results . . . I guess that worked better for me

 

[Sab_Fan]

mine wouldnt touch any algae as adults.

don't know what to say about that . . . one thing I have seen is that pet stores frequently mis-label SAEs and the various epalzeorhyncus species as one another; could be some Flying Foxes giving SAEs a bad name