Chinese High Fin Banded Shark
Myxocyprinus asiaticus
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 90 cm
- Minimum tank
- 5760 litres
- Temperature
- 15.5–21 °C
Species profile
Black Sharkminnow
Labeo chrysophekadion
Common names: Black Sharkminnow, Black Shark, Sail Fin Shark, Black Labeo
Recognized speciesSharks
Adult size
Up to 60 cm
Up to 60 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A keeper with room for a large aquarium
Think carefully if
- You cannot provide about 2430 litres for a fully grown fish
- You keep shrimp you want to protect
A huge, jet-black fish that reaches 60 cm and is very aggressive towards other bottom-dwellers. Keep alone or in a small group in 2430 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A huge, jet-black fish that reaches 60 cm and is very aggressive towards other bottom-dwellers. It is often sold small, but only very large tanks can house it.
Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.
Females are usually rounder.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 9,720–12,150 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 2425–3650 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 2430 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 300 cm
- Minimum group size
- 1
- Recommended group size
- 1
- Activity level
- Active
- Flow preference
- Moderate
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Moderate
Allow plenty of swimming length, with a tight lid, because these fish jump. Caves and wood help break up territories.
Behaviour and Tankmates
An active, fast swimmer, despite its small size compared with true sharks, and it is not related to them.
See the notes for this species, as some need a group while others are best alone.
Bottom-dwelling species can be territorial with their own kind and similar fish.
Keep with robust fish of a similar size that stay higher in the water. It is likely to eat shrimp. Choose its tankmates with care.
Water Parameters
Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable.
Parameter caveat
Keep up regular water changes, and acclimatise new fish slowly.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Quality pellets or flakeA good staple. Choose a size that fits its mouth.
- Frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimpOffer several times a week for colour and condition.
- Algae or vegetable-based foodInclude some plant matter for balance.
An omnivore that takes prepared foods, algae and small frozen foods.
Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.
Breeding
- Breeding difficulty
- Not commonly bred
- Parental care
- Unknown
Little has been recorded about breeding this fish in aquariums.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Thailand, Vietnam
- Natural habitat
- Floodplain, Freshwater Stream, River
- Aquarium contexts
- Large Freshwater Aquarium, Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Specialist
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Labeo
- Family
- Cyprinidae
- Species group
- Fish, Sharks
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- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 243 litres
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C
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- Care level
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- Adult size
- 12.5 cm
- Minimum tank
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- Temperature
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- Care level
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- Adult size
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 304 litres
- Temperature
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