Most people are fairly familiar with the freshwater 'Sharks' of Asia, like the Rainbow 'Shark' (
Epalzeorhyncho frenatum) and the Red-tailed 'Shark' (
Epalzeorhynchos bicolor) but not many people are aware that the group is well-represented among African aquatic faunas as well.
This is
Labeo cyclorhynchus, the Variegated 'Shark' (or Harlequin 'Shark') a Cyprinid from the Middle and Lower Congo River and Ogowe River regions of Africa. Unlike some of its relatives, this fish stays at a reasonably manageable size of about 16cm (about 6 inches) and, while it will lose some of its color as it matures, it should still remain a very pretty fish.
Currently this one is about 4 inches long and is housed with a couple of African Pike Characins (
Phago), one of which can be seen hovering hungrily in the background.
-Joe
) and charming fish! I'll be honest and tell you that I'm not wild about the colours, but I'm sure the pretty colours is not why you are keeping them 
)
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