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Chinese High Fin Banded Shark
Myxocyprinus asiaticus
📍 Southeast Asia
The Chinese High Fin Banded Shark is a striking freshwater fish known for its distinctive tall dorsal fin and bold black banding pattern. This species is a bottom-dwelling omnivore that can grow quite large and requires substantial tank space and excellent water quality. Despite their shark-like appearance, they are generally peaceful but may become territorial as they mature.
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Care Guide
Diet
Chinese High Fin Banded Sharks are omnivorous bottom feeders that require a varied diet including high-quality sinking pellets, algae wafers, blanched vegetables like zucchini and spinach, and occasional live or frozen foods such as bloodworms. Feed once daily, providing only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes to avoid water quality issues.
Behavior
These fish are primarily nocturnal and spend most of their time on the substrate searching for food. They are generally peaceful but can become territorial with other bottom-dwellers as they mature, especially in smaller tanks. They are relatively inactive during the day and prefer dimly lit environments with plenty of hiding spots.
Breeding
Breeding in captivity is extremely rare and difficult, with very few documented successes in home aquariums. They require specific seasonal temperature changes and large, well-established tanks to trigger spawning behavior. Most specimens available in the aquarium trade are wild-caught or farm-raised juveniles.
Tank Mates
Small, peaceful fish that occupy upper water column and won't compete for bottom space
Similar to Neon Tetras; peaceful schooling fish that stay in mid-water
Both are bottom-dwellers; may compete for food and space as shark matures
Bottom-dwelling species that may be nipped or outcompeted by larger shark
Bottom-feeder that may compete for food; monitor for aggression as shark grows
Nocturnal bottom-dweller with similar habitat preferences; generally compatible
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, flashing against objects, rapid breathing, lethargy
Increase temperature gradually to 28-30°C (82-86°F), use aquarium salt at 1 teaspoon per gallon, perform daily 25% water changes, treat with ich medication containing malachite green or formalin
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, fin tissue loss
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, remove any sharp tank decorations, treat with antibacterial medication or salt baths, ensure adequate filtration
Bacterial Infections
Open sores, ulcers on body, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, fin damage
Perform 50% water change immediately, use broad-spectrum antibiotic medication, maintain pristine water conditions, isolate if possible to prevent spread
Parasitic Infections
Excessive scratching, visible parasites, weight loss, clamped fins, lethargy
Use anti-parasitic medication containing praziquantel or levamisole, perform daily water changes, increase aeration, quarantine affected fish if in community tank
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Quick Facts
- diet
- omnivore - algae wafers, vegetables, sinking pellets, occasional live foods
- lifespan
- 10-15 years
- max size
- 60 cm (24 in)
- tank size
- 125 gallons minimum
- temperament
- peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.5-7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 4-8 dGH
- temperature
- 68–75°F (20–24°C)