These fish have long bodies with flat abdominal areas and range in color from olive to dark brown in the dorsal area and yellowish-white on the lower part of the body. A black line runs the length of the body from the fish’s eye through the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. The ventral, anal, dorsal finnage have a black band and white edge. Above the line is a gold stripe. The fish’s eyes sometimes have a red iris.

Both sexes look identical as juveniles, although adult females in breeding condition are noticeably thicker-bodied than males.


Flying Foxes grow to reach up to 6 inches in length in an aquarium setting and can live for up to eight years.