Black Sharkminnow (Labeo chrysophekadion)

Black Sharkminnow is the accepted common name for Labeo chrysophekadion, a very large Southeast Asian freshwater cyprinid also sold as Black Shark or Black Labeo. It is not a marine shark, Red Tail Black Shark or Rainbow Shark. That distinction matters: FishBase records a maximum total length of 90 cm and a maximum published weight of 7 kg, so this is a specialist large-fish commitment rather than a permanent choice for an ordinary community aquarium.

Two approximate purchase sizes may appear in the selector: 4-5 cm and 8-10 cm. Each selected quantity means one live, unsexed fish in the chosen approximate size band. It does not mean a pair, shoal, sexed animal or exact measured length. Both options are juveniles with the same adult potential; choosing the smaller size does not create a dwarf form or reduce the permanent enclosure required.

A responsible long-term plan starts with a custom adult system. For one fish, Tropical Fish Co recommends a planning floor around 250 x 100 cm footprint and well over 1,500 litres, with approximately 300 x 120 cm and 2,000 litres or more preferred. These dimensions are a welfare-led recommendation based on the documented adult scale, heavy build, turning radius, activity and filtration load. They are not a tank-size figure published by FishBase, and litres alone cannot compensate for inadequate length or front-to-back width.

The four gallery images help illustrate the dark juvenile form but are not photographs of the exact fish dispatched. One scene contains two fish for visual context; that does not make this a pair listing or recommend keeping two together. Live colour, proportions, size, sex and temperament vary, and large adults may become greyer with an iridescent point on each scale.

What is a Black Sharkminnow?

Labeo chrysophekadion is a freshwater member of the carp and minnow family. The name "shark" describes its tall dorsal profile and purposeful swimming shape; it does not place the fish among marine sharks. The current Catalog of Fishes accepts Labeo chrysophekadion and places it in Cyprinidae: Labeoninae. Older literature may use Rohita chrysophekadion or Morulius chrysophekadion, but those historic combinations are not separate retail species.

Juveniles are notable for an all-dark body and fins. FishBase describes larger adults as becoming grey, with an iridescent spot on each scale. That change is normal species development and means a young black fish should not be marketed as if its exact shade will remain fixed for life. Lighting, background, stress, age and individual variation also affect how dark an aquarium fish appears.

The accepted scientific identity prevents a serious care error. Rainbow Shark, Epalzeorhynchos frenatum, and Red Tail Black Shark, Epalzeorhynchos bicolor, are much smaller fish with different adult plans. Silver or Bala Shark, Balantiocheilos melanopterus, is a separate large shoaling cyprinid. None is a synonym for this product, and advice written for one must not be copied onto another.

Name seen online	How this page treats it	Important boundary
Black Sharkminnow	Preferred accepted common name	Large freshwater cyprinid, not a marine shark
Black Shark	Familiar secondary trade name	Too ambiguous to use without the scientific name
Black Labeo	Valid secondary common name	Refers here to L. chrysophekadion
Labeo chrysophekadion	Current accepted scientific name	The identity used for adult care and taxonomy
Morulius chrysophekadion	Historic scientific combination	Not an additional species supplied in this listing
Rainbow or Red Tail Black Shark	Different Epalzeorhynchos species	Smaller-fish care must not be substituted

What exactly does each size option mean?

The size selector describes approximate live-trade bands. A moving juvenile cannot be promised to the millimetre, and its size does not establish age, sex, growth rate or final dimensions. The selected variant controls the current price and availability; this body deliberately avoids hard-coding either because Shopify remains the live source.

Each quantity adds one fish. A quantity of two would mean two individual juveniles, not a compatible pair, bonded pair or planned group. This species can become strongly territorial, especially towards its own kind and similarly shaped bottom-oriented fish. The site therefore uses the solo pricing presentation rather than a shoal recommendation.

Choose between the size bands only after checking the current aquarium inhabitants. A very small juvenile may be vulnerable to a large companion or a powerful intake, while a larger juvenile may dominate a modest grow-out system sooner. Both require the same permanent adult commitment and both need a secure separation option if behaviour changes.

Selector choice	What it means	What it does not mean
Approximately 4-5 cm	One smaller juvenile in that approximate band	Not a dwarf form, exact measurement or small-tank adult
Approximately 8-10 cm	One larger juvenile in that approximate band	Not a sexed adult or reduced adult commitment
Quantity one	One live, unsexed fish	Not one pair or one shoal
Quantity two or more	That number of separate fish	Not a compatibility or group-care recommendation

How large can Labeo chrysophekadion become?

FishBase and USGS record a maximum length of 90 cm, while FishBase also reports a maximum published weight of 7 kg. Aquarium fish do not all reach a database maximum, and no seller can promise an exact adult length. Responsible planning nevertheless uses credible maximum potential rather than a convenient smaller number. The cost of underestimating this species is restricted movement, unstable water quality and a difficult rehoming problem.

Length is only part of the space calculation. This is a thick-bodied, muscular fish that needs room to turn without bending around glass or decor. Front-to-back width becomes critical as it matures. A tall but narrow aquarium can hold many litres while still denying usable movement, and a large ornament can reduce an apparently adequate footprint to a narrow corridor.

Growth varies with genetics, starting age, food, temperature, health and water quality. Keeping a fish in a small aquarium does not safely "stop it growing." Restricted space can suppress normal behaviour while waste load rises faster than the system can manage. Monitor actual length, body depth, turning clearance and behaviour at regular intervals, and move the fish before the current enclosure becomes limiting.

Stage	Planning focus	Common mistake
4-10 cm juvenile	Safe intake, appropriate food, mature water and a secured adult plan	Treating purchase size as permanent size
Growing fish	Measure body and turning room; increase filtration and footprint early	Waiting until the fish already struggles to turn
Large adult	Custom width, long swimming route, protected equipment and heavy waste capacity	Judging the system by litres alone
Any stage	Keep a humane separation and emergency-support plan	Assuming a shop or public aquarium will accept a large unwanted fish

What adult aquarium should be planned?

For one adult, use a custom system with a planning floor around 250 cm long by 100 cm front-to-back and well over 1,500 litres. A footprint around 300 x 120 cm with 2,000 litres or more is preferred because it provides a more credible turning circle, longer swimming route and room to protect equipment. The exact gross volume depends on water depth; usable space after substrate and structure matters more than a marketing litre figure.

This is a planning recommendation from Tropical Fish Co, not a tank dimension quoted by FishBase. It follows the documented 90 cm maximum, 7 kg potential, active river-fish form and general welfare principle that adult size, oxygen, filtration and behaviour all influence required space. An unusually large individual, multiple large fish or bulky decor can require still more.

Assess the building as well as the glass. Water alone weighs about one kilogram per litre, before the aquarium, stand, filtration, rock and people are added. Obtain qualified structural advice where required. Plan doorway access, drainage, safe electrics, service clearance, replacement-pump access and a route for moving a large fish without lifting it in a small net.

Adult-system element	Planning floor	Why it matters
Length	About 250 cm; around 300 cm preferred	Provides an actual swimming run rather than repeated tight turns
Front-to-back width	About 100 cm; around 120 cm preferred	A 90 cm potential fish needs credible turning clearance
Water volume	Well over 1,500 litres; 2,000+ preferred	Supports stability and dilution but does not replace footprint
Cover	Rigid, close fitting and equipment-gap safe	Protects a strong active fish from escape and injury
Structure	Stable, smooth and open around the swimming path	Prevents trapping, collapse and abrasion
Building support	Professionally assessed where needed	A complete custom system can weigh several tonnes

Can a juvenile use a grow-out aquarium?

A properly managed grow-out aquarium can protect a small arrival, make feeding observable and keep it away from adult tank mates that could injure it. It is acceptable only when the permanent system and transfer schedule already exist. "I will upgrade when it gets big" is not a complete plan because custom builds, structural work and rehoming options take time.

The grow-out tank must still be mature, covered and wide enough for normal turning. Keep the decor simple enough to inspect the fish and remove waste, but include secure shelter and visual relief. Protect heater guards, pipework and intakes. A growing fish can rapidly outpace an enclosure that looked generous on delivery day.

Record length and body depth monthly using a repeatable non-invasive method, such as a reference scale visible through the glass. Do not chase or net the fish merely to measure it. Set upgrade triggers before purchase: usable turning width, swimming length, filter loading and behaviour are better triggers than waiting for a particular birthday.

Grow-out question	Acceptable answer	Warning sign
Where is the adult home?	Specified dimensions, support and equipment are secured	Depends on a future buyer or unknown upgrade
When will transfer happen?	Triggers are set before turning becomes restricted	Transfer waits until the fish looks cramped
Can the juvenile feed safely?	Food reaches it and leftovers can be observed	Larger tank mates take every meal
Is equipment protected?	Intakes, heaters and gaps are guarded	Fish can enter a pipe gap or strike bare glass equipment

Where does the Black Labeo come from?

The documented range spans tropical Southeast Asia. FishBase lists the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and Borneo. USGS likewise describes the Mekong and Chao Phraya systems across Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, plus Malaysia and the major Sunda islands. This is a freshwater river and floodplain fish, not a coastal or reef species.

USGS describes upstream spawning migration from large deep pools and channels into shallow floodplain habitat during the rainy season. The Mekong River Commission report places that movement in a broader cycle linking dry-season refuges, river channels and seasonally inundated feeding areas. An aquarium cannot reproduce a river basin, but it can respect the need for open movement, clean oxygenated water, varied surfaces and stable seasonal care.

Wild distribution does not certify the origin of an individual retail fish. This listing does not promise a particular country, river, wild-caught history, captive-bred generation or genetic locality. The responsible claim is the documented species identity, not an invented collection story.

What water parameters should be maintained?

Use a stable practical target of 24-27°C, pH 6.5-7.5 and approximately 5-15 dGH. The current acclimated care range extends hardness to 20 dGH, but stability and acclimation history matter more than forcing a fish from one acceptable value to another. Test the source water and aquarium before ordering, then make changes gradually.

Ammonia and nitrite should remain at zero. Keep nitrate low and stable through adequate filter capacity, controlled feeding and measured water changes. Clear water is not proof of safe water; dissolved waste can be invisible. Use reliable liquid tests and keep a written baseline so a change in behaviour can be compared with actual chemistry.

Temperature, oxygen and waste load interact. Warm water holds less oxygen, while a large active fish consumes more and produces substantial waste. Provide broad surface movement and avoid a single violent jet that forces continuous station holding. If respiration changes, test water and equipment immediately rather than assuming the fish is merely active.

Parameter	Practical target	Action boundary
Temperature	24-27°C	Avoid rapid swings; verify heaters and oxygen during heat
pH	6.5-7.5	Stable suitable pH is safer than abrupt correction
General hardness	About 5-15 dGH	Current care range reaches 20 dGH; acclimate rather than chase numbers
Ammonia	0 mg/L	Any detectable reading requires immediate investigation
Nitrite	0 mg/L	Any detectable reading is unsafe
Nitrate	Low and stable	Respond to the trend and fish load, not one universal threshold
Oxygenation	Strong gas exchange throughout	Urgent checks for changed breathing or gathering at outlets

Use the Water Parameter Matcher to compare source water with the target, and review the water chemistry guide before making pH or hardness changes. Those tools support planning; they do not override measured acclimation or professional fish-health advice.

How much filtration and maintenance does this fish need?

A mature adult needs high-capacity biological filtration backed by effective mechanical waste capture. Design the system around the fish's eventual biomass, not the juvenile's first-week feeding. Multiple filter paths or pumps can add resilience, but only if a failure is noticed and service can be completed without leaving the aquarium unprotected.

Prefilters should be accessible because plant-rich foods and a large grazing fish can create visible solids. Rinse biological media only as needed in dechlorinated or removed aquarium water, and avoid replacing all mature media together. Protect every intake so the fish cannot become trapped, and guard heaters against impact.

There is no honest universal water-change percentage for every 2,000-litre system. Measure nitrate trend, dissolved waste indicators where available, food input and fish condition, then establish a repeatable schedule. Replace water with dechlorinated, temperature-matched water and avoid a sudden chemistry shift. Large systems benefit from safe drains and refill controls, but automation must have overflow and failure protection.

System task	Routine	Failure to avoid
Water testing	Record ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and temperature	Relying on clarity or smell
Mechanical filtration	Remove trapped solids before they decay	Letting blocked media reduce flow and oxygen
Biological filtration	Keep mature media oxygenated and stable	Replacing or cleaning all media at once
Water replacement	Base volume and frequency on measured trend	Large unconditioned or temperature-mismatched changes
Redundancy	Test backup air, pumps and power response	Owning spare equipment that cannot be connected quickly
Pipework	Inspect guards, valves and overflows	Leaving a strong fish access to an intake or open gap

How should the aquarium be furnished?

Prioritise one long, unobstructed swimming circuit. Use large smooth wood and rounded rock only when they are stable under the expected force of a heavy fish. Structures must not create narrowing slots, collapse points or one-way caves. Test every opening against the adult body, not the juvenile that first enters it.

Natural feeding includes algae, periphyton, plant material and detritus, so assume that soft plants may be grazed, uprooted or damaged. Robust plants can be protected behind structure or grown in inaccessible filtration zones, but this is not a fish for a delicate show aquascape. Smooth surfaces that develop biofilm are more useful than sharp decorative complexity.

Fit a rigid close-fitting cover and secure every cable, overflow and pipe gap. Keep equipment serviceable without creating a temporary escape route. Use subdued zones and sight breaks, but maintain enough visibility to check body condition and skin. A dark background may make a juvenile easier to settle, yet it can also make an all-black fish harder to inspect, so provide controllable lighting.

What should a Black Sharkminnow eat?

USGS describes this species as primarily herbivorous, consuming algae, periphyton, terrestrial plant material and detritus. FishBase's ecology summary similarly places it at a low trophic level and identifies plant/detritus feeding. The trade name "shark" must not turn that evidence into a meat-heavy predator diet.

Build the aquarium diet around quality sinking grazer pellets or wafers, spirulina-rich foods, cultured biofilm and controlled portions of fish-safe vegetables. Add modest varied protein through balanced prepared foods and occasional suitable invertebrate material, but do not make bloodworm, mussel or high-fat meat the daily base. Remove leftovers before they break down.

Young fish need food pieces they can handle and direct observation to confirm intake. A large adult may consume impressive amounts, but appetite is not a reason to feed continuously. Adjust portions to body condition, activity, waste production and water tests. A rounded, powerful body is expected; persistent abdominal swelling, hollowing or sudden appetite change is not.

Food type	Role	Use note
Quality sinking grazer pellet	Daily nutritional base	Choose a size the fish can take without excessive crumbs
Spirulina or algae wafer	Plant and algal content	Place where the fish can feed without competing at the surface
Fish-safe greens	Texture and plant variety	Offer controlled portions and remove uneaten material
Biofilm-coated surfaces	Natural grazing opportunity	A supplement, not proof that no prepared food is needed
Balanced omnivore food	Micronutrients and modest protein	Use within a plant-led plan
Rich animal foods	Occasional variety only	Avoid using mammal or poultry meat as routine food

Is the Black Shark aggressive?

Territoriality is a central planning issue. A juvenile may appear manageable in a dealer or grow-out group, but that temporary observation does not guarantee adult tolerance. As size and confidence increase, the fish may claim a large lower-water area and repeatedly chase its own kind or similarly shaped grazing fish.

For most private adult systems, plan around one Black Sharkminnow. Keeping several would require a substantially larger, professionally designed enclosure with multiple territories, visual separation, feeding stations and immediate division capacity. A shop's quantity discount or a gallery showing two fish must never be interpreted as biological evidence that six, ten or twenty should live together.

Individual temperament varies. Watch for repeated pursuit, blocking access to food, one fish remaining in a corner, damaged fins, scraped sides, colour change and weight loss. Occasional displacement is not the same as stable compatibility. If one animal cannot rest, feed and move normally, separate before injuries become severe.

Behaviour	Possible meaning	Response
Brief investigation of a new object	Normal environmental assessment	Observe without provoking repeated display
Repeated route patrol	Normal activity or emerging territory	Check whether other fish can still use the full aquarium
Persistent chasing of one fish	Unstable compatibility	Separate; do not wait for visible wounds
Blocking food or shelter	Resource control	Add separation and reassess the stocking plan
Frantic dashing or collision	Stress, aggression, water or environmental problem	Test water, reduce disturbance and inspect for injury

What tank mates are suitable?

No companion is automatically safe. Adult dimensions, mouth size, swimming level, territorial behaviour, water chemistry and feeding speed must all overlap. A companion that shares 25°C water can still be unsuitable because it is too small, delicate, slow or interested in the same lower-water territory.

In a very large adult system, robust midwater fish too large to be bullied or swallowed may sometimes be considered. The aquarium must provide more space than the solo minimum, and the keeper needs a mature separation system capable of holding either animal. Do not add another "shark", large loach or benthic grazer merely because the common names sound related.

Avoid small community fish, long-finned or slow species, persistent attackers and anything likely to rasp the body or compete at the same feeding point. Shrimp and small snails should not be treated as protected companions. Compatibility can fail after years as the Black Labeo grows, so an early peaceful period is not a lifetime guarantee.

Potential companion	Decision	Reason
Another Black Sharkminnow	Normally avoid	Serious conspecific territorial risk and enormous combined space demand
Rainbow or Red Tail Black Shark	Avoid	Similar shape and lower-water territory invite conflict
Large robust midwater fish	Case-by-case caution	Needs extra adult space, matching water and separation capacity
Small tetras, livebearers or rasboras	Avoid	Vulnerable to stress, injury or predation as size disparity grows
Large loaches and benthic grazers	Usually avoid	Compete for territory, food and lower-water routes
Slow long-finned fish	Avoid	Cannot reliably escape pursuit and may lose feeding access
Shrimp and small snails	Do not rely on compatibility	Can be consumed or injured

How does this fish differ from other aquarium "sharks"?

Common-name comparison is useful because UK search results repeatedly mix different fish. The Red Tail Black Shark is Epalzeorhynchos bicolor, recognised by a dark body and red tail. The Albino Rainbow Shark is an Epalzeorhynchos frenatum colour form. Both are separate smaller species and are comparison links only, not suggested tank mates.

The Silver or Bala Shark is Balantiocheilos melanopterus, another large cyprinid but a social open-water fish with very different group needs. It should not be housed by copying the territorial solo plan from this page. Marine blacktip sharks are cartilaginous saltwater animals and have no relevance to this freshwater listing.

For wider freshwater cyprinid browsing, use the barbs and related fish collection, then return to the exact species page before making a decision. A category can organise products; it cannot safely merge adult size, temperament and water requirements across unrelated species.

Trade name	Scientific identity	Key planning difference
Black Sharkminnow / Black Labeo	Labeo chrysophekadion	Up to 90 cm; specialist custom solo system
Red Tail Black Shark	Epalzeorhynchos bicolor	Much smaller but territorial; separate care profile
Rainbow Shark	Epalzeorhynchos frenatum	Much smaller species; not this product's scientific name
Silver / Bala Shark	Balantiocheilos melanopterus	Large active social fish with group and swimming-length needs
Blacktip reef shark	Carcharhinus melanopterus	Marine cartilaginous fish; entirely unrelated

How should arrival and acclimation be prepared?

Cycle and test the aquarium before dispatch. Confirm zero ammonia and nitrite, stable temperature, a protected filter intake, a close-fitting cover and a quiet shelter. Turn down the lights and remove hazards before the parcel arrives. Do not start building the enclosure after the fish is in transport.

Follow the instructions supplied with the order and the current new-fish acclimation guide. Avoid leaving a sealed transport bag unattended or mixing transport water into the aquarium without need. Use a container and method appropriate to the fish's size rather than forcing a strong animal through a small net.

After transfer, restore normal filtration and surface movement, keep the area quiet and observe breathing and balance. Offer a small suitable meal only after the fish has settled. Photograph and record any arrival concern promptly. The delivery information and Live Arrival Guarantee terms are the current source for dispatch, evidence and support requirements.

What health and welfare signs should be monitored?

A settled juvenile should move in a controlled way, hold an even body line, maintain appropriate muscle behind the head and take suitable food. An all-black body can hide marks, so inspect from both sides under neutral light. Learn the individual's normal resting position, breathing and response to feeding rather than comparing it with an edited reference image.

Warning signs include persistent refusal of food, hollowing, swelling, sores, white patches, reddening, fin damage, repeated rubbing, loss of balance, unusual breathing or sudden collision behaviour. Test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and temperature first, inspect equipment and check for aggression. Seek an aquatic veterinarian or qualified fish-health professional for persistent or severe signs.

Do not medicate a multi-thousand-litre system by guesswork. Diagnosis, actual water volume, active ingredient, oxygen demand and filter effects matter. A hospital or isolation facility for a growing fish must be large enough to preserve welfare and stable enough to support treatment; a bucket is not a long-term quarantine plan.

Observation	First checks	Escalation
Missed food after arrival	Water, light, shelter, food size and disturbance	Act if refusal persists or body condition declines
Rapid or changed breathing	Ammonia, nitrite, heat, oxygen, flow and gill appearance	Urgent response for distress or loss of balance
Scrapes or fin damage	Sharp decor, unstable structure, gaps and aggression	Professional advice for worsening redness or tissue loss
Hollowing despite feeding	Actual intake, food quality, competition and faeces	Fish-health assessment for persistent weight loss
Sudden repeated dashing	Water change, electrical fault, reflection, noise and pursuit	Remove the cause and separate if another fish is involved

Can juveniles be sexed or bred at home?

The offered fish are unsexed. Juvenile external appearance is not a reliable sex guarantee, and this listing does not promise a male, female or ratio. A gallery image cannot sex the live animal that will be supplied. If sex is essential to a managed breeding project, obtain an individually assessed mature fish with documented evidence rather than relying on a generic product page.

The species is a migratory river and floodplain spawner in nature and has been bred in aquaculture research, but that does not make it a practical casual home project. Mature size, territoriality, seasonal cues, broodstock handling and the capacity to rear large numbers of growing fish place breeding beyond a normal domestic setup.

Do not order multiple juveniles in the hope that a compatible pair will form. Their sex is unknown, adult tolerance is not guaranteed and each fish can require a huge separate home. This product makes no breeding, fertility, sex or offspring guarantee.

Are the gallery images the exact fish?

No. The current gallery contains four existing aquarium references. They are retained under the additive-media safeguard and help illustrate a dark juvenile Black Sharkminnow shape. They are not photographs of the exact stock, and they do not certify sex, purchase size, adult colour, scale detail or temperament.

The planted scene shows two fish, but one selected quantity still means one live unsexed fish. The image does not demonstrate adult compatibility or recommend a group. As the real fish grows, its colour and proportions can differ considerably from a stylised juvenile scene.

What should be confirmed before adding this fish to the basket?

Confirm the selected approximate size, live availability, permanent adult footprint, building support, mature filtration, protected equipment, secure cover and maintenance access. Check every existing animal at adult size and behaviour, and keep a mature separation option. If the adult home depends on an uncertain future upgrade or hoped-for rehoming, wait.

Use the Tank Volume Calculator to check gross dimensions, then subtract substrate and structure when considering usable water. Volume is only one part of suitability: record internal length, front-to-back width and the narrowest turning point. Keep equipment models, water results and emergency contacts with the care record.

WELCOME10 currently gives 10% off where checkout eligibility and current terms allow. It is not described here as a verified first-order-only offer. A discount never changes the welfare decision, and solo pricing is intentional for this territorial large fish. The live selector remains the source for stock and price.

Frequently asked questions

Is this listing for one Black Sharkminnow or a pair?

Each selected quantity supplies one live, unsexed fish in the chosen approximate size band. It is not a pair or group. A two-fish gallery scene is illustrative and does not define sale quantity or compatibility.

How large can a Black Shark fish become?

For the species on this page, FishBase records 90 cm total length and a maximum published weight of 7 kg. Do not apply the 12-15 cm adult size of Rainbow Sharks to Labeo chrysophekadion.

What tank size does Labeo chrysophekadion need?

For one adult, plan around at least a 250 x 100 cm footprint and well over 1,500 litres, with approximately 300 x 120 cm and 2,000 litres or more preferred. This is a welfare recommendation based on adult scale and turning room, not a FishBase tank-size value.

Can the 4-5 cm fish live permanently in a small aquarium?

No. The smaller variant is a juvenile with the same adult potential as the 8-10 cm option. A grow-out aquarium is temporary and should be used only when the permanent adult system is already planned and secured.

Is a Black Sharkminnow a real shark?

No. It is a freshwater cyprinid in the carp and minnow family. "Shark" is a trade name based on body shape. It is unrelated to marine sharks and needs freshwater care.

Is Black Shark the same as Rainbow Shark?

No. This listing is Labeo chrysophekadion. Rainbow Shark is Epalzeorhynchos frenatum, a different and much smaller species. Their adult-size and tank advice are not interchangeable.

What temperature and pH should I use?

Keep a stable 24-27°C and pH 6.5-7.5. Aim for roughly 5-15 dGH, while recognising that the current care range extends to 20 dGH. Avoid sudden attempts to force water to a chosen number.

What should a Black Labeo eat?

Use a plant-led diet based on quality sinking grazer foods, algae or spirulina foods, fish-safe vegetables and grazing surfaces. Add modest balanced protein variety, but do not use a meat-heavy predator diet.

Will this fish clean algae from the aquarium?

It grazes algae and periphyton, but it is not an aquarium-cleaning tool. It creates a very large waste load and still needs a complete diet, mechanical cleaning, water testing and water changes.

Can two Black Sharkminnows live together?

Normally plan for one per system. Conspecific territoriality can intensify with growth. Keeping several would require a substantially larger specialist enclosure, multiple territories and immediate separation capacity; ordering two does not create a pair.

Can it live with a Red Tail Black Shark?

This is not recommended. Both can defend lower-water territory and their similar shape increases conflict risk. The product comparison link helps identification and is not a tank-mate endorsement.

Is the Black Sharkminnow suitable for beginners?

No. It is an advanced specialist fish because of its 90 cm potential, territorial behaviour, huge adult footprint, structural load, filtration demand and difficult rehoming. Small juvenile size can hide that commitment.

Does it need strong flow?

Provide well-oxygenated, circulated water with broad surface movement and no stagnant zones. Avoid forcing the fish to hold continuously against one narrow jet. Flow should support gas exchange, filtration and normal movement.

Can it live in a planted aquarium?

Do not plan a delicate planted display. Natural feeding includes plant material, algae and periphyton, and a large active fish can graze or uproot plants. Use robust or protected planting without narrowing the swimming route.

How long does a Black Sharkminnow live?

A reliable species-specific aquarium lifespan is not promised here. Treat it as a long-term commitment and plan for the full adult system before purchase. Outcome varies with age, genetics, health, environment and care.

Can the juveniles be sexed?

The offered fish are unsexed, and juvenile appearance does not provide a reliable customer guarantee. Ordering several does not guarantee a male, female, ratio or breeding pair.

Are the images photographs of the exact fish?

No. The four protected images are aquarium references. The live fish can differ in size, colour, proportions, sex and adult appearance. The two-fish scene does not change the one-fish sale unit.

Why can a large adult become greyer?

FishBase notes that juveniles are all black while large adults become grey with an iridescent spot on each scale. Normal development, lighting, background and individual variation can all change the apparent shade.

What should I do if the fish starts chasing tank mates?

Separate before repeated pursuit causes injury or feeding exclusion. Test water and check whether the aquarium offers enough adult footprint and sight breaks, but do not rely on decor alone to solve serious territorial conflict.

What must be ready before delivery?

Have a mature covered aquarium, protected equipment, stable 24-27°C water, zero ammonia and nitrite, suitable food and a quiet arrival plan. Read the delivery, acclimation and Live Arrival Guarantee terms before dispatch.

Sources and further reading

The taxonomy, maximum size, water, distribution, feeding and welfare boundaries on this page were checked against accessible scientific, government and animal-welfare sources:

• FishBase account for Labeo chrysophekadion
• Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes record for the accepted name
• USGS Black Labeo species profile
• Mekong River Commission distribution and ecology report
• RSPCA aquarium environment guidance
• RSPCA guidance on keeping fish together

Scientific names and practical husbandry can change as new evidence appears. The live Shopify selector controls current size availability and price; this care profile controls the intended species identity and welfare plan. Neither replaces an aquatic veterinarian's assessment of an ill fish or a structural engineer's assessment of a multi-tonne aquarium installation.