Want to add these guys with my Koi, was wondering what do they eat? All these care sheets arent very good with this type of fish. So far i know they are cold water, come from China, and very peaceful. But what do they eat besides Algea Waffers??? and do they really suck the slime coat off your fish? and last question is this site saying its $15.00 for 25 of High fin's? http://www.azgardens.com/p-156-algae-eating-fish-chinese-high-fin-banded-sharkbatfish.aspx if so ill give some away for free for that price!!!
High Fin Shark Care?
- Thread starter Zfishies
- Start date
y would the total price sum go down when you get more?...doesn't sound right..smells' kinda fishy..
thats what i as thinking hmm ill call them, but my LFS said they can get me some good ones 3 for $15 a pop or 3 HUGE ones for $50 a pop but i dont have experience with them...
i think you should check this site out...the high fin shark changes it shape when it reaches adult hood and is nothing close to what it looks like as sub adults and juveniles...
http://www.csupomona.edu/~jskoga/Aquariums/myxocyprinus/myxocyprinus.html
http://www.csupomona.edu/~jskoga/Aquariums/myxocyprinus/myxocyprinus.html
I already know that love lol I actually like it better as the adult!!!
so they will do okay with my Koi I have to check again on that site and see how big they are when I get them and how much shipping is. The Koi are about a foot. Still need some questions answered though will they suck the slime coat off my fish??? And what else besides algea wafers can I feed? And how long will it take them to eat? Are they skitish?
so they will do okay with my Koi I have to check again on that site and see how big they are when I get them and how much shipping is. The Koi are about a foot. Still need some questions answered though will they suck the slime coat off my fish??? And what else besides algea wafers can I feed? And how long will it take them to eat? Are they skitish?Caveat: I have not kept this fish.
High fin sharks are suckers (catostomids), and like other members of this family should be fed relatively meaty sinking foods (shrimp pellets, nightcrawlers, bloodworms, seafood, commercial fish chow, etc.). Algae wafers and vegetables are fine as a small part of their diet, but they are adapted to eating benthic insects and shellfish, not plants and algae, and their diet should reflect this.
I have never heard of these fish sucking the slime coats of other fish. This may just be a case of confusion with other sucker-mouthed fish, like Chinese algae eaters and some plecos, that are reputed to do this.
I have kept a few other species of catostomids. In my experience, young fish are much more adaptable. Older fish get really stressed out when transferred to a new home and remain skittish indefinitely. Older fish also seem to be more prone to infections.
In my experience, catostomids are not territorial or aggressive, or even very assertive. You may have to take precautions to be sure they get enough food if they are kept with greedy fish like koi. One method is to distract the koi with floating food, then use a tube to deliver sinking food to another part of the tank/pond.
High fin sharks are suckers (catostomids), and like other members of this family should be fed relatively meaty sinking foods (shrimp pellets, nightcrawlers, bloodworms, seafood, commercial fish chow, etc.). Algae wafers and vegetables are fine as a small part of their diet, but they are adapted to eating benthic insects and shellfish, not plants and algae, and their diet should reflect this.
I have never heard of these fish sucking the slime coats of other fish. This may just be a case of confusion with other sucker-mouthed fish, like Chinese algae eaters and some plecos, that are reputed to do this.
I have kept a few other species of catostomids. In my experience, young fish are much more adaptable. Older fish get really stressed out when transferred to a new home and remain skittish indefinitely. Older fish also seem to be more prone to infections.
In my experience, catostomids are not territorial or aggressive, or even very assertive. You may have to take precautions to be sure they get enough food if they are kept with greedy fish like koi. One method is to distract the koi with floating food, then use a tube to deliver sinking food to another part of the tank/pond.
Totally agree with Noto about them not getting enough to eat. In large koi ponds I've never seen them larger than 12-14 inches. They have a better chance of getting big if they are in big ponds or aquariums.
This one is 8" in a 10,000 gal koi pond (5 ft deep). The second one is about 12" which I do not have a picture of. If your interested I will try to get a photo this weekend if I can find it.
This one is 8" in a 10,000 gal koi pond (5 ft deep). The second one is about 12" which I do not have a picture of. If your interested I will try to get a photo this weekend if I can find it.
