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All fish

Black Sharkminnow

Labeo chrysophekadion

Freshwater South-east Asia Usually captive bred

A jet-black cyprinid frequently sold as a cute juvenile that soon turns into an enormous, boisterous tank tyrant. They need immense aquaria or heated indoor ponds, developing intense territorial aggression toward similarly shaped benthic fish as they mature.

Also called: Black sharkminnow, Black labeo, Black shark.

60 cm adult length, drawn to scale. torpedo body.

Outgrows a typical home tank. Check this fish against the adult size above before buying a juvenile. The minimum shown is the least it is kept in for good, not a comfortable size.

Try it in the planner Opens a tank sized to its minimum with 1 fish added.

What it needs

ItemValueBecause
Adult length 60 cm Used for the Space check: the tank must be long enough for the fish to turn round.
Smallest tank 1000 L, at least 240 cm long estimated The least water and floor length this species is kept in for good, as a single fish or smallest group.
Extra water per added fish 300 L estimated What each further fish adds once the minimum is met.
Waste load Class 5 of 5 estimated How much waste an adult makes against its size. Feeds the Load check.
Temperature 23 to 27 C Stock sharing a tank need overlapping ranges.
pH 6.5 to 7.5 Compared with tankmates in the Water check.
Hardness GH 5 to 15, KH 4 to 10 Degrees of general and carbonate hardness.
Flow Medium Low-flow fish are stressed in a strong current.
Light Moderate Matched to the lighting class on the needs sheet.
Group size Single fish is fine Not a schooling species.
Temperament Aggressive Territorial: strong.
Swims in All levels Fish that use different levels share a tank more easily.
Lifespan About 12 years A fish is a long commitment.
Experience Some experience helps A guide to how forgiving the species is of mistakes.
Jumps Yes Keep the tank covered.

Tags marked estimated are judged from the size and habits of the species rather than measured, so treat them as a sensible default.

Diet and tank layout

Black Sharkminnow is an omnivore that swims in all levels of the tank. It leaves most plants alone. Give it some cover.

Tankmates

Works with

Depends

Avoid

Compare any two fish on the compatibility page, or print the equipment for a stock on the needs sheet. How this is worked out: the method.