Chinese High-fin Suckerfish Myxocyprinus asiaticus

The Chinese High-fin Suckerfish has several different common names including Chinese High-fin Suckermouth/Loach/Shark. It is native to the middle and upper Yangtze River system in China and migrates upstream to spawn.

It grows to some 1.4 metres long and is not a shark nor aggressive but eats riverbed invertebrates and algae. Breeding males develop a red hue.

Juveniles have dark brown and pale vertical stripes. The "shark" name is because of the high triangular fin, particularly on the juveniles.

The only species in its genus, it is severely threatened by construction of dams (preventing spawning migration), pollution, introduced invasive carp (eating young and prey), overfishing and collection of young for the aquarium trade.