๐ Chinese Hi-Fin Banded Shark (Myxocyprinus asiaticus)
๐ Chinese Hi-Fin Banded Shark Myxocyprinus asiaticus
Striped Juvenile โข Giant Freshwater โข Peaceful
๐ The Chinese Hi-Fin Banded Shark (Myxocyprinus asiaticus) is a fascinating and rare freshwater species, often misidentified as a true shark due to its sail-like dorsal fin and striking juvenile coloration. Young fish display bold black and white vertical bands, which fade as they mature into a more subdued brown-gray adult with a tall dorsal fin.
This species can reach 3โ4 feet in length, making it unsuitable for home aquariums. It is a river giant requiring cool, highly oxygenated water and is best suited to public aquariums or extremely large private setups. Despite its size, it is a peaceful schooling fish and can live for over two decades with proper care.
๐ก Highlights
โซ Juvenile Banded Pattern โ Black and white stripes
โต Hi-Fin Dorsal โ Distinct sail-like fin
๐ River Giant โ Grows over 3 feet long
๐ Cool-Water Species โ Needs oxygen-rich rivers
โ Peaceful Schooling Fish โ Not aggressive
๐งพ Overview
๐ฝ๏ธ Feeding & ๐ ๏ธ Care Guide
๐ Retail Size Guide
โ FAQ Guide
๐งพ A Quick Look at the Chinese Hi-Fin Banded Shark
๐ Common Name: Chinese Hi-Fin Banded Shark, Chinese Sailfin Shark, Hi-Fin Loach
๐ฌ Scientific Name: Myxocyprinus asiaticus
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐ง Family: Catostomidae
๐ Origin: Yangtze River Basin, China
๐ Max Size: 90 โ 120 cm (3 โ 4 feet)
๐ง pH Range: 6.5 โ 7.5
๐ก๏ธ Temperature Range: 18 โ 24ยฐC (65 โ 75ยฐF)
๐ง Care Level: Advanced โ public aquarium species
๐ Temperament: Peaceful, schooling
๐ Min Tank Size: 2000 L (500+ US gallons)
๐ Tank Level: Bottom to mid swimmer
๐งฌ Captive Bred: โ No
๐ฟ Wild Caught: โ
Yes
โณ Lifespan: 15 โ 25 years
๐ฝ๏ธ Diet: Omnivore โ algae, crustaceans, worms, pellets
๐ฃ Reproduction: Rare in captivity โ migratory spawner