Harlequin sharkminnow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harlequin sharkminnow |
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The harlequin sharkminnow (scientific name: Labeo cyclorhynchus) is a cool freshwater fish found in central Africa. People sometimes call it the harlequin shark or variegated shark, especially if they keep fish as a hobby. It's a type of cyprinid fish, which is a family that includes carps and minnows.
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What Does the Harlequin Sharkminnow Look Like?
The harlequin sharkminnow has a creamy yellow body with grey and black patterns. Its fins are a bit see-through and also have black spots. These fish get their name because they look a little bit like real sharks. They have a long body and stiff fins, just like some sharks.
The younger fish have the brightest colours and patterns. As they get older, their colours tend to fade a bit. It's hard to tell the difference between male and female fish just by looking. However, female fish are usually much wider than males, especially when they are ready to lay eggs.
This fish has a dorsal fin (the fin on its back) with 12 soft rays. Its upper edge is deeply curved. It also has 31 or 32 bones in its spine. Their lips have special ridges, and they have two pairs of well-developed barbels, which are like whiskers that help them feel around. These fish can grow up to 15 centimeters (about 6 inches) long.
Where Do Harlequin Sharkminnows Live?
The harlequin sharkminnow lives in many places across central Africa. You can find them in the lower and middle parts of the Congo River basin. This includes the Ubangui River in the Central African Republic, the Congo, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They also live in the Ogowe River in Gabon.
Harlequin Sharkminnow Life and Habits
The harlequin sharkminnow spends its time near the bottom of the water. These fish are very good at finding food. They eat all sorts of things, making them omnivores. Their main food is called aufwuchs, which is a mix of tiny animals and algae that they scrape off surfaces like rocks and plants.
Sometimes, these fish hang out with groups of common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius). The fish actually nibble on the hippos' skin!
Adult harlequin sharkminnows usually live alone and protect their own space. They only come together during the spawning season (when they lay eggs). Younger fish are not as aggressive and prefer to hide. They like to live in clear rainforest streams. These streams often have lots of plants along the edges and underwater. The water might look a bit brown from tannin, which comes from leaves and branches that have fallen into the stream.
Why Are Harlequin Sharkminnows Important to People?
People in central Africa catch harlequin sharkminnows to eat. They are also caught for the aquarium trade, meaning they are sold to people who keep fish as pets. However, these fish are quite aggressive and like to be alone. Because of this, they haven't been successfully bred in home aquariums. So, if you see one in a pet store, it was likely caught from the wild.
