All fish / Cyprinidae

Elegant Siamese algae eater

Crossocheilus elegans

Also known as elegant flying fox, borneo flying fox, crossocheilus elegans, elegant algae eater

No free-to-use photo of this fish yet. Took one yourself? Send it to us and we will credit you.

A slender, active Bornean barb with a silvery body and a dark band running along the flank to the tail, often with a warm yellowish tint to the fins. It is kept for the same reasons as its better known relative the Siamese algae eater, grazing on algae and biofilm in well-oxygenated, planted or rocky tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

150 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more

Diet

Omnivore: algae, biofilm, sinking pellets and wafers, blanched vegetables, small frozen foods such as bloodworm

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Borneo (Kapuas and other rivers, Indonesia and Malaysia)

Breeding

Not known to have been bred in home aquariums; it is presumably an egg-scattering species with no parental care. Trade specimens are wild caught.

Good to know

Easily confused with Crossocheilus oblongus and other similar striped species, and care figures are largely based on related fish because little is published. Needs clean, flowing, well-oxygenated water and a tight lid, as it can jump.