The Chinese high fin banded shark is a freshwater fish that is native to China.
This species is a member of the cyprinid family and is closely related to the common goldfish.
The Chinese high fin banded shark is a popular aquarium fish and is known for its peaceful nature.
This species is a hardy fish that is easy to care for, making it a good choice for beginner aquarists.
The Chinese high fin banded shark is a omnivorous fish and will eat a variety of foods, including live, frozen, and flake foods.
This species grows to a length of 18 inches and has a lifespan of 10-15 years.
Table of contents
Species overview
The Chinese high fin banded shark (scientific name: Myxocyprinus asiaticus) is a freshwater fish that’s native to certain parts of Asia, specifically China and Vietnam.
They prefer habitats with slow-moving water and a lot of vegetation. This is something that’s common to many species of shark, as they like to have a lot of places to hide.
Chinese high fin banded sharks are considered to be a bottom-dwelling fish, which means they spend most of their time near the bottom of the water column. This is where they feel the safest and where they can find the most food.
These fish are relatively peaceful, but they can be territorial toward their own species. This is something to keep in mind if you’re thinking about keeping more than one Chinese high fin banded shark in the same tank.
Chinese high fin banded sharks are a popular choice for aquariums because of their unique appearance. They are definitely a fish that will make your aquarium stand out!
Appearance
The Chinese high fin banded shark is a beautiful and unique fish that is sure to stand out in any aquarium.
The first thing you’ll notice about this fish is their long, elegant fins. The dorsal fin extends the entire length of their body and is separated into two sections. The front section is shorter and has a concave shape, while the back section is much longer and has a convex shape.
The pectoral fins of this fish are also very long and thin. They start at the middle of the body and extend outwards.
The caudal fin is forked and also very long, making this fish look like they’re swimming with a giant flag behind them.
The body of the Chinese high fin banded shark is silver in color with black stripes running horizontally across it. These stripes are more prominent on the upper half of the body and get lighter towards the belly.
The head of this fish is blunt with small eyes and a large mouth.
This is a peaceful fish that is perfect for community tanks. They are not known to bother other fish and will do well with most tank mates.
Lifespan
The average lifespan of Chinese high fin banded sharks is around 10 to 12 years.
However, there are a number of factors that can impact their lifespan. Poor water quality, for example, can lead to a shorter lifespan.
In general, though, these are fairly long-lived fish when properly cared for.
Size
These sharks can grow quite large, up to 8 feet in length. However, in captivity, they are typically much smaller, only reaching about 3-4 feet in length.
Tank
Tank Size
The minimum tank size for a Chinese high fin banded shark is 100 gallons. This fish can grow to be over a foot long so it needs plenty of room to swim.
The recommended tank size for a Chinese high fin banded shark is 125 gallons.
Water Parameters
The Chinese high fin banded shark is a freshwater fish that is native to the rivers of Southeast Asia. In the wild, they inhabit slow-moving waters with a sandy substrate and plenty of hiding places.
To recreate this environment in your home aquarium, you’ll need to maintain some specific water parameters. These fish are very sensitive to changes in their environment, so it’s important to test the water regularly and make adjustments as needed.
Here are a few guidelines to help you get started.
- Water temperature: 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit
- pH levels: 6.5 to 7.5
- Water hardness: 5 to 20 dGH
- Alkalinity Levels: 4-8 dKH
What To Put In Their Tank
These fish come from rivers and streams in China, so they’re used to a certain type of environment.
The first thing you need to do is find a good quality filter. The Chinese high fin banded shark is a messy eater, and it produces a lot of waste. You need a filter that can keep up with the waste production, or you’ll have water quality issues.
The next thing you need to do is choose the right substrate. These fish like to dig, so you need a substrate that won’t hurt their delicate barbels. Gravel is a good choice, but make sure the pieces are small enough that they won’t hurt the fish if they accidentally ingest them.
After the substrate, you need to add some hiding places. These fish are shy, and they like to have somewhere to hide. Driftwood and rocks are a good choice, but you can also use plants. Just make sure the plants are well-rooted so they won’t be uprooted by the fish.
The last thing you need to do is add some decorations. These fish like to have something to swim around, so add some rocks or driftwood to give them some places to explore.
Common Diseases
The Chinese high fin banded shark is a robust and hardy fish, but that doesn’t mean they can’t get sick.
There are a few diseases that these fish are prone to, the most common being ich and Hole in the Head disease.
Ich is a very common parasitic infection that will present itself as white spots on the body of your fish. If left untreated, it can be fatal.
Hole in the Head disease is another common disease in freshwater fish. It’s caused by poor water quality and the presence of activated carbon in the tank.
This disease will present itself as one or two pits/holes in the skin of your fish’s head. While it’s almost always curable, it will usually leave some scarring on your poor fish!
The best way to prevent these diseases is to maintain the quality of the water in your tank. A tank with clean and stable water conditions is always less likely to cause disease in your fish.
Behavior & Temperament
The Chinese high fin banded shark is a semi-aggressive species of freshwater fish. They are known to be peaceful with fish that are similar in size, but they can be aggressive towards smaller fish.
These sharks are active swimmers and prefer to live in schools. In the wild, they can be found in rivers and lakes in Asia. In aquariums, they should be kept in tanks that are at least 50 gallons.
The Chinese high fin banded shark is a scavenger and will eat just about anything. They are also known to be fin nippers, so it’s best to keep them with fish that have similar body types.
Tank Mates
Not only do Chinese high fin banded sharks get along with other species of fish, but they actually do best when in the company of others. These fish are social creatures that need to be around other fish in order to thrive.
The best tank mates for Chinese high fin banded sharks are other peaceful fish that occupy different parts of the water column. This way, everyone has their own space and there’s less chance of aggression.
Some compatible species include:
- Neon Tetra
- Cardinal Tetra
- Rummy Nose Tetra
- Black Widow Tetra
- Silver Dollar Fish
- Clown Loach
- Yo-Yo Loach
- Weather Loach
Breeding
Chinese high fin banded sharks are livebearers, meaning that they give birth to live young rather than laying eggs. As such, the breeding process is a bit different from other fish.
To start, you’ll need a well-filtered tank that’s at least 50 gallons in size. The water should be between 74 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit. The pH should be neutral to slightly alkaline.
Then, you’ll need to add some plants and hiding places. These fish like to have a lot of places to hide, so don’t skimp on the decor.
When everything is set up, add two females for every male. The ratio is important because males can be quite aggressive.
Once the fish have acclimated to their new environment, you can start feeding them. Live food is best, but they’ll also eat frozen and pellets.
After a few weeks, you should start to see the females getting rounder. That’s a sign that they’re pregnant and getting ready to give birth.
When the time comes, the female will give birth to anywhere from 10 to 20 live young. The fry are very small, so you’ll need to be careful when feeding them. Live foods are best, but you can also give them finely crushed flakes.
Keep an eye on the fry and make sure that they’re getting enough to eat. If not, they’ll start to fade and won’t survive.
With proper care, your fry should start to grow quickly. In just a few months, they’ll be ready to join the adults in your main tank.
Conclusion
Overall, the Chinese High Fin Banded Shark is an excellent choice for a beginner aquarist. They’re relatively easy to care for and are very tolerant of a wide range of water conditions.
They’re also a very active fish that will add a lot of movement to your tank.
If you’re looking for a fish that’s easy to care for but still has a lot of personality, the Chinese High Fin Banded Shark is a great choice!
