Golden Fringed Lark - Epalzeorhynchos frenatum

The Golden Fringed Lipper is an albino form of the Green Fringed Lipper, Epalzeorhynchos frenatum. The natural form originates from Northeast Asia, more precisely northern Thailand, Laos and Cambodia as well as Vietnam. Here it is mainly found in larger and medium-sized rivers and their floodplains. Epalzeorhynchos frenatum, formerly Labeo frenatus, belongs to the carp family and has 2 barbels on the upper lip, which is probably the reason for the name "fringe lipper". Epalzeorhynchos frenatum reaches in nature a  body length of about 20 cm and maximales an age of 6 to 10 years.

The body of the Golden or Albino Fringe Lipper has a golden-pink ground color, which is overlaid with some shiny scales. The fins are reddish/orange in color as in the natural form. At the base of the tail there is a large black spot on many specimens. Distinguishing the sex of the albino form of the Green Fringed Lipper is nearly impossible due to the uniform coloration of both sexes. Males of Epalzeorhynchos frenatum Albino are somewhat slimmer than the females, and possess a  dorsal fin which tapers off to the rear. About the successful breeding in the aquarium is not much known except accidental breedings. In Asia, however, the animals are bred in quantities for aquaristics, probably with the help of hormones. A decimation of the natural population can be excluded, at least by aquaristics.

The Golden Fringe Lipper is a very sociable fish and should be kept together with several conspecifics, single animals tend to show a very territorial and aggressive behavior towards other fish. If you keep it with only 2-3 conspecifics and the tank is too small, the fish actually becomes very territorial and quite rough.

Densely planted and diversely structured aquariums from 120 cm length, which also offer enough free swimming space and sandy areas for digging would be considered as a minimum for keeping a smaller group. The water values should be in the soft to medium hard range and be tempered to 22 - 28 °C.

Its underdeveloped scraping mouth characterizes the Golden Fringe Lipper as a growth and algae eater, but under aquarium conditions it is also quite happy to accept high-quality dry food in the form of tablets or granules for herbivorous ornamental fish. Alternatively it can also be Algae plates can be given to it Frozen food or Live food is also not despised, but should only be fed sporadically if the animals are to retain their enthusiasm for eating algae.

For keeping a group in a community tank, only larger and not too sensitive fish should be selected, which can cope with similar water parameters, and which can also defend themselves against fringe lippers that become too cheeky. Invertebrates are rather unsuitable.

Our food recommendation: The fragrant NatureHolic Guppyfeed was tailor-made for the requirements of guppies and other predominantly herbivorous fish in the aquarium. It contains high-quality animal ingredients as well as plant-based components that benefit the animals. The soft granules protect the sensitive mouth of the viviparous from injuries caused by hard food grains and provide the fish with a natural feeding experience.

Our plant recommendation: For planting, use NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.