Approx. 1.5" - 3"
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Hardy
Water Conditions: 74-82° F, 9 – 19 dGH, pH 7.5-8.5
Max. Size: 6.7″
Color Form: Green, Black, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Africa to Asia
Family: Tetraodontidae
Lifespan: Up to 15 years in brackish water
Aquarist Experience Level: Advanced
Approx. 3.5"
Chinese High Fin Banded Shark (Myxocyprinus asiaticus) are one of only two known suckers that are found in Asia, the other being the Siberian Cotostomus rotratus. They originate from the highly aerated mountain streams in the Yangtze River of China and despite their size (up to 4’6″ in length) are popular community tank fish. Because of pollution and over collection for the aquarium trade, the Chinese High Fin Banded Shark has been placed on the endangered species list and is a state protected species in China.
Juvenile Myxocyprinus asiaticus have light to white bodies with three dark brown to black slanting bands that veer towards the rear of the fish and a high triangular dorsal fin that extends to the rear of the anal fin. Their colors change with their moods and as they grow into adulthood, usually around 12 to 14″ in length, they lose their white stripes and their bodies become more elongated, losing their distinctive high dorsal fin.
During the breeding season, adult males can be distinguished from the females by their more reddish coloration. Adult females become almost a dark purple in color and develop a broad vertical reddish area along their bodies.
Chinese High Fin Banded Sharks have thick fleshy lips with small papillae and a single row of pharyngeal teeth. They are docile, slow moving bottom dwellers that make perfect community tank residents and although they can be kept as individuals, they are frequently kept in small shoals in an aquarium environment. Because they are slow growing and long lived (up to 25 years) they will eventually require a large aquarium to keep them healthy.
Chinese High Fin Banded Shark are best kept in at least a 55 gallon aquarium with a sandy or fine gravel substrate that is densely planted and aquascaped with some driftwood or bogwood, and some rocks if desired. They can tolerate a wide range of temperature variations but because they are subject to abrupt changes in water quality and highly susceptible to nitrates; good aeration, regular partial water changes, and a good filtration system is necessary to keep these fish healthy and happy.
In nature, Chinese High Fin Banded Sharks migrate into the relatively fast flowing, shallow headwaters of the Yangtze River to spawn but as of this date, almost nothing is known about the breeding of the Myxocyprinus asiaticus other than it is believed that their breeding habits are similar to that of Cotostomus cotostomus.
The Chinese High Fin Banded Shark is easy to feed. In their natural habitat and in the aquarium, they are constantly on the move over the bottom searching for food. They can be fed a variety of foods such as brine shrimp (which makes the orange flecks in the fish’s coloration more pink), live, fresh or frozen bloodworms, tubifex, prawn, earthworms, insects, crustaceans, small molluscs, annelids, algae, along with a quality sinking omnivore pellet or flake. If they should stop eating, it is usually due to water quality. Perform a water change and begin feeding them live foods only until they resume eating normally.
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallon
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Docile
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Hardy
Water Conditions: 65-82° F, 36 – 357 ppm, pH 6.0-8.0
Max Size: 4′ 6″
Color Form: Brown, White
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Large community tanks
Origin: China
Family: Catostomidae
Life Span: 25+ years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate
Size: Approx. 2-2.5"
Minimum Tank Size: 100L
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Very aggressive, best kept in species tanks with no other fish.
Water Conditions: 74-81°F, pH 6.5-7.5
Max. Size: 6″
Color Form: A dark brown Puffer with a lighter (sometimes orange) pattern. Has some of cirri (hairs) around the snout.
Diet: Feed mussels, earthworms, shrimp, bloodworms, crayfish, snails. Live food and frozen food should be accepted.
Origin: Laos and Thailand
Family: Tetraodontidae
Lifespan: Up to 8-15 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Moderate Experience
Size : 1" - 1.2"
Neon Tetras (Paracheirodon innesi) are native to the clear water streams of South America. They have an iridescent blue body with bright red tails and when kept in schools of eight or more, create a startling splash of color to any aquarium.
Neon Tetras prefer a setting similar to their natural habitat. A densely planted aquarium that has a few rocks, some driftwood nestled between the plants, some floating plants and plenty of low light areas for the fish to hide in, will keep your Neons healthy and happy.
Neon Tetras have a tendency to swim or remain suspended in the water column in large schools. This trait creates a breathtakingly colorful display in any aquarium.
Neons are peaceful little fish and should be housed with other similar South American tetras of the same size. They belong to the family “Characidae” and thrive in slightly acidic (pH 5.0 to 7.0) water.
Neon Tetras will eagerly accept many small foods such as live brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae, tubifexworms, bloodworms, freeze-dried products, micro pellets, and high quality flake foods. Vary their diet to keep them healthy and happy.
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 68-77° F, KH 4-8, pH 5.0-7.0
Max. Size: 2″
Color: Iridescent Blue, Red
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Peaceful
Origin: South America, the Paraguay River basin; Rio Taquari, Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul, and Brazil
Family: Characidae
Lifespan: 5 – 10 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner