Reticulated Flying Fox

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Mekong River basin (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia). Inhabits fast-flowing clear rivers, with bottoms of smooth rocks, coarse gravel and boulders covered with biofilm.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Silver Flying Fox / Reticulated Algae Eater (Crossocheilus reticulatus). Robust Asian cyprinid, has a ventral sucker mouth specifically adapted for scraping surfaces.

Social Behavior: Very gregarious, especially when young (minimum 4-5 individuals). As they grow, adults may show slight territorial skirmishes, chasing each other without injury to define hierarchies. Continuously in motion.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Silvery gray body with a conspicuous "reticulated" pattern (dark edges of the scales). The distinguishing feature from the Siamese Algae Eater is an obvious massive black oval spot placed before the tail. Females are more swollen.

Aquarium Setup: Grows quickly and swims vigorously: minimum 120 cm (48 inches) aquarium. Prefers smooth wood and round stones for algal grazing. Strictly closed tank, excellent jumpers.

Diet and Feeding: Specialized herbivore/algivore. The only reliable devourer of the infamous black beard algae (BBA). Requires spirulina wafers, blanched vegetables (zucchini) and must not be over-fed with protein foods, otherwise obesity and stopping scraping algae will result.

Water Quality: Prefers well-moved, very clean and highly oxygenated water. Intolerant to ammonia and nighttime oxygen drops.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Completely peaceful towards other species. Cohabits with Rasboras, Barbs, Asian Botias. Can be stressful (due to hyperkinetic swimming) for very slow or shy fish (e.g. Gouramis or demanding Cichlids).

Aquarium Reproduction: Undocumented in home aquariums (in nature it makes reproductive migrations triggered by climate changes). Commercial fish are almost all induced with hormones.

Risks and Diseases: Fatal obesity if kept in tanks with many predatory fish that are fed with abundant meat mush. Propensity to jump from the lid if frightened.