Labeo variagates
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| Varagated Shark Labeo variagates |
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| Size: 12-16" | |||||||||
| Origin: West Africa | |||||||||
| Temperament: Peaceful to other species, but a ruthless killer of conspecifics. A perfect tankmate for large cichlids, but only 1 to a tank. | |||||||||
| Of course we all know that they're not true sharks, and we have to explain it to every beginner we know, but the Labeo's are an amazing group of fish. Over 95% of the Labeo's and related genera (ex. Bangara) are not available to aquarist at all. Of the 10 or so species than can be found, only a couple are suitable for most cichlid tanks. The African species Labeo variagates is usually very hard to find, and can be somewhat expensive, although I found mine for the very low price of $5. At their current small size of 4" they are bright orange with black blotches, very reminiscent of the OB Zebras from Lake Malawi. But as this species matures its color changes to a dark green/black and red spots form all along the fish. I'm unsure of the maximum size of this species although it seems that it will grow to atleast 14" when properly cared for. | |||||||||