Discover fishes of the family of Cyprinidae

It owes its name of "freshwater shark" only to the shape of its dorsal fin. It behavior and it food have nothing comparable. It acclimates easily to the aquarium.

Small barbs located around its mouth enable it to detect food. It is easy to breed in captivity. The species is very prolific, nests often have over 500 juveniles.

Reproduction of this species occurs from May to July. The female, larger, is "courted" by several males. Its toxic eggs were traditionally used as an emetic. This fish is threatened by human activities (pollution, habitat degradation ...). Reintroduction operations are regularly carried out in the rivers of Wallonia.

This fish, very common in our ponds, is subject to sport fishing. There are several varieties: scale carp, the "mirror carp" (large scales) and "leather carp" (bare skin). it food gives it flesh a smell of vase that disappears after a few days spent in a pool. It is very popular in eastern Europe.

Small barbs located around its mouth enable it to detect food. Like many similar species, it breeds easily in captivity.

It lips turn into suction organs and it corneas gums allow it to take algae off the rocks. It acclimatized well in aquariums. Unfortunately, because of the demand for the aquarium trade, it is threatened by excessive fishing in its original environment.

It is sometimes called "Doctor Fish" because it eats dead skin. It lives in pools of hot water and, in Turkey, it is used to treat skin diseases such as psoriasis. Balneotherapy establishments sometimes offer skin care provided by these fish.

Thanks to its small size, it is an ideal fish for beginner aquarists. It is easy to maintain and reproduce in the aquarium.

The cherry barb is a small freshwater fish endemic to the wet region of the lowlands in Sri Lanka. The males, cherry-colored, have long been intensively captured for the aquarium trade. The export of this fish is now better regulated, but it remains vulnerable to changes in its environment. The main causes: agricultural pollution, hydroelectric projects, and deforestation.