Shark - Black

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

Black Labeo, Black Beauty Scientific Name: Labeo chrysophekadion

Basic Info

Black Sharks are large fish that average 20 to 24 inches in length, though individuals as large as 2 feet have been documented. Male and females are not visually distinct, and this is one reason why captive breeding is difficult.

Health

The Black Shark is omnivorous and requires both plant and meat in its diet. They should be fed live food, fresh and frozen vegetables, and frozen beef heart in order for them to thrive. They may also be given flakes and pellets, but fresh foods are a must for this fish. If they are not given vegetable matter they will usually become significantly more susceptible to disease. As they grow, these fish will require a minimum aquarium size of 75 to 100 gallons. Water should be kept between 75 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit with pH levels between 6.8 and 7.5. The Black Shark is a very good jumper and it is important that their aquariums be covered with a tight fitting hood. The Black Shark may be prone to disease if it is not given enough vegetation in its diet. Additionally their coloration tends to diminish if their diet is poor in veggies. Breeding The Black Shark is very difficult to breed in captivity and there are no recorded successful attempts. In the wild Black Sharks spawn at the start of the rainy season. This is an egg laying species.

Habitat

Fresh water fish - They are most commonly sighted in streams, rivers and floodplains.

Behavior

Contrary to its name the Black Shark is not actually a Shark. While the Black Shark may resemble a small shark it is in fact not truly a shark. True sharks are marine fish, and the Black Shark is an attractive shark-like tropical fish that is quite popular in the aquarium hobby. The Black Shark is also known in the pet trade as the Black Beauty and the Black Labeo. The Black Shark grows quite large and should only be housed in a large aquarium. For this reason it may not be suitable for all tanks. Black Sharks are highly aggressive to their own kind, and only one should be kept per tank. This aside, they are generally peaceful with similarly sized fish, and they usually do well in tanks with large cichlids and catfish. Because of their size they are not well suited for community tanks, they will often view small community fish as lunch. It has been reported that this fish will also kill fish larger than itself, so it is important to find tankmates based on your individual fish's personality. These fish seem to prefer to swim in the mid to bottom regions of the tank. These fish need vegetation in their diets. They will eat aquarium plants.

Origin

Southeast Asia

History

The Black Shark is native to Southeast Asia, and has been observed in Java, Borneo and the Malay Peninsula. In addition to being collected for the pet trade this fish is also considered a delicacy in many areas of Asia.

Common Foods

N/A