New Black Shark !! Is it a monster ??

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Thanks for the inputs guys. I confirmed it. Its a black shark, not variegatus. The colour was golden and it had some scales missing. Hence, the mottled appearance. anyway, its healed up and getting better. Looks more like it should now.
I'll post a pic soon. I'm shifting him from the quarantine tank to a grow out tank.
 
sandtiger;733887; said:
Nope, they're cyrpinids. Like carp, goldfish, rosy reds and tiger barbs. Largest family of freshwater fishes on the globe. Over 2000 species.
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Not sure if you took this into account, but there's more than 2700 named catfish species, with an estimated 1300 still to be named. This number is based off older text I believe they named over 100 new species last year bringing the total to more than 2800 species. I believe only a little over 200 of them are saltwater so the total freshwater is around 2600 species. Not trying to step on any toes, just stating what I know.
 
sandtiger;730072; said:
Black sharks (Labeo chrysophekadion) can get huge...they aren't catfish though (wrong forum).
labeo_chrysophekadion.jpg


Labeo variegatus only grows to about a foot, not as large but still a monster.
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I really like this fish.
 
nishant_datta;729117; said:
Anyway, I've found out. Its labeo chrysphekadion, common name 'Black Shark'. I read somewhere that it can get to 24 inches. But I don't think so. Haven't heard of or seen one that big.

Can anyone tell how big it gets ???? any other thing about it worth knowing is also welcome.
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They can reach that size no problem. Mine is 23" and still growing. temperament can vary hugely between fish, some are out and out killers, others are just bullies. Mine tends to be on the bully end of the stick but still hands out some good beatings. If the tank mates aren't very robust, or very fast, they will be dead tank mates. Will eat anything, pellets, prawns, whitebait, peas, courgette, cockles, mussels etc. etc.

Fishbase resports 90cm as the max size. I don't personally believe that to be correct. Other similar labeos can reach that size and that is were the confusion comes from IMO. If you look at the pictures on fishbase for the black shark, the biggest specimins are clearly not black sharks.
 
If you keep them with any other similar looking shark the smaller will be done for
 
Atreyu;843931; said:
If you keep them with any other similar looking shark the smaller will be done for
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Not so in my experience. I have the following sharks with my black shark....

Labeo parvus
Labeo calbasu
Labeo boga
Bangana behri
Rainbow shark
Osteochilus waandersii
Osteochilus sp

All of which could be considered similar looking and they are all much smaller. She bothers none of them. The only problems I have is the Labeo rubropunctatus. That one has to be removed every couple of months into solitary. Once it calms down it goes back in the mix and is fine for a couple of months. Then the cycle begins again. This is what is working for me, but may not work for everyone. Out of all the fish I have kept her with, she takes the biggest exception to cichlids. Go figure.
 
I guess there must have been wrong with my black shark:( It shredded my redtail,rainbow and even my balas:thumbsdow
 
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