Myxocyprinus Asiaticus
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''Myxocyprinus'' is a
monotypic In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group (taxon) that contains only one immediately subordinate taxon. A monotypic species is one that does not include subspecies or smaller, infraspecific taxa. In the case of genera, the term "unisp ...
genus of freshwater fish in the monotypic
subfamily In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end botanical subfamily names with "-oideae", and zo ...
Myxocyprininae within the family
Catostomidae The Catostomidae are the suckers of the order (biology), order Cypriniformes, with about 78 species in this family (biology), family of freshwater fishes. The Catostomidae are almost exclusively native to North America. The only exceptions are ' ...
. 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, ''Chinese'' or ''Asian'' zebra high-fin shark, ''Chinese'' or ''Asian'' zebra high-fin sucker, Chinese emperor, Siamese sucker, and ''entsuyui'' in
Japanese Japanese may refer to: * Something from or related to Japan, an island country in East Asia * Japanese language, spoken mainly in Japan * Japanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or culture ** Japanese diaspor ...
. Despite its common names, it bears no relation to real
shark Sharks are a group of elasmobranch cartilaginous fish characterized by a ribless endoskeleton, dermal denticles, five to seven gill slits on each side, and pectoral fins that are not fused to the head. Modern sharks are classified within the ...
s. It grows to about long and is unsuitable for most home aquariums. It has declined drastically due to pollution, dams (preventing its natural breeding Fish migration, 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 Papilla (fish mouth structure), 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 (biology), spawn, but spend the remaining time in the main river sections. The population in the Min River (Sichuan), Min River, a tributary of the Yangtze, may have been Local extinction, extirpated. The species is widely Aquaculture, 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.


See also

* List of endangered and protected species of China


References


External links


Photograph
at Mongabay.com {{Taxonbar, from1=Q1578992, from2=Q19921595, from3=Q100142911 Catostomidae Endemic fauna of China Freshwater fish of China Taxa named by Theodore Gill Yangtze River Endangered fish Endangered fauna of Asia Monotypic cyprinid fish genera Species that are or were threatened by damming Species that are or were threatened by pollution Endangered Fauna of China