Species of fish
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Myxocyprinus is a monotypic genus of freshwater fish in the monotypic subfamily Myxocyprininae within the family Catostomidae. The only species is Myxocyprinus asiaticus, also known as the Chinese sucker.
It is a popular freshwater aquarium fish known under various common names, including Chinese high-fin banded shark, Chinese banded shark, Chinese sailfin sucker, high-fin (also spelled hi-fin) banded loach, high-fin loach, Chinese high-fin sucker, sailfin sucker, topsail sucker, Asian sucker, wimple carp, wimple, freshwater batfish, Hilsa herring, rough fish, "Chinese" or "Asian" zebra high-fin shark, "Chinese" or "Asian" zebra high-fin sucker, Chinese emperor, Siamese sucker, Chinese banded shark, and "entsuyui" in Japanese. Despite its common names, it bears no relation to real sharks. It grows to about long and is unsuitable for most home aquariums.
It has declined drastically due to pollution, dams (preventing its natural breeding migration), overfishing, introduced species and collection for the aquarium trade. As a consequence it has been placed on the Chinese list of endangered species and is a state protected species.
Description.
Young Chinese high-fin banded sharks normally possess brown bodies bearing three dark-colored slanting bands. During the breeding season, adult males are distinguished from adult females by their red coloration. Adult females are of dark purple color with a broad and vertical reddish area along the body. Juveniles of the Chinese high-fin banded sharks are also characterized by high and triangular dorsal finnage that extends up to the rear of the anal fin. The adult appearance is far less distinctive, as they are elongated in shape without the very high dorsal fin. The thick and fleshy lips bear small papillae without barbels. They have a single row of pharyngeal teeth that have comb-like arrangements.
Through adulthood, Chinese high-fin banded sharks become darker in appearance. The characteristic pale bands found in young specimens disappear at a length of , and the species has been referred to as an "ugly duckling in reverse". The growth is fast; it grows at the rate of one inch per year. Sexual maturity is reached when five to six years old and at least long. The maximum size reached by this fish is in length and in weight.
Distribution and habitat.
Chinese high-fin banded sharks are native to the Yangtze River basin of China. They migrate into relatively fast flowing, shallow headwaters to spawn, but spend the remaining time in the main river sections. The population in the Min River, a tributary of the Yangtze, may have been extirpated.
The species is widely cultured in China to supply the food industry.
Life span.
In its natural habitat, Chinese high-fin banded sharks live for more than 25 years and reach sexual maturity when 5 to 6 years old.
References.
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