Aquarium fish labeo: 5 varieties of “black torpedoes”

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Fish lovers frequently choose the Labeo, sometimes known as the "black torpedo" of the aquarium world. This fish, which has a sleek, torpedo-shaped body and striking black coloring, gives any tank a dynamic presence.

There are various Labeo varieties, and each has special qualities and appeal of its own. Choosing the right variety for your aquarium can be aided by knowing these types, regardless of experience level.

This post will discuss five intriguing varieties of Labeo, emphasizing their unique qualities and providing care instructions for keeping them in your house aquarium.

Variety	Key Features
Labeo bicolor	Known for its striking black body with a bright red tail, this variety is territorial and active.
Labeo frenatus	This species, also called the Red-Finned Shark, has a sleek black body and vivid red fins.
Labeo albino	An albino version of Labeo frenatus, it has a white body with pinkish fins, making it unique.
Labeo green	A less common variety, featuring a dark green body with slightly red-tinted fins.
Labeo black	A rare variant, completely black in color, often more aggressive and territorial.

Description of the fish

While all labeo share some distant similarities with sharks, the color features will differ based on which species they belong to.

Appearance

Labeo has a long, thin body that is slightly flattened at the sides and has a torpedo-like appearance. The fish has a high "shark" fin that adorns its curved back.

The species of a given specimen determines the body’s color, which is typically consistent throughout the body with the possible exception of the two-lobed tail.

With relatively large, slightly protruding eyes, the head is small. The lower mouth is designed to help remove algae. The labeo has big lips, and two whiskers on either side adorn the mouth.

When given the right care, fish can live up to six years, during which time their bodies can grow to a length of 15 cm.

Fascinating! Although they are slightly bigger than male labeo, females also have a duller color.

Habitat

The nations of Southeast Asia are included in the natural range. The fish favor areas of shallow water with a sandy or rocky bottom, with a maximum depth of approximately one meter.

When the time for spawning arrives, which is during the rainy season, the fish can travel great distances to reach flooded floodplains; however, many of their migration routes were simply destroyed as a result of dam construction and swamp drainage.

Naturally, the quantity of labeo in the wild was impacted by this terrible circumstance.

Larger than 30-centimeter labeo have been observed in their natural environments.

Lifestyle

The majority of Labeo people live nocturnal lives. Fish gather in flocks when they are young, but as they get older, they become less social. Adults are only found in order to procreate.

Aquarium enthusiasts are drawn to Labeo because of its unusual swimming technique. The fish can swim up, down, and even crawl along the bottom of the tank on its fins, all while maintaining a perfectly vertical posture and requiring no discernible effort.

Features of behavior

It is evident that Labeo representatives keep an eye on the borders of their domain. As a result, it’s important to choose your reservoir neighbors wisely. Adult fish avoid crowds and prefer to be alone.

Life expectancy

Labeo have a long lifespan. Fish can survive in an aquarium for at least six years with the right maintenance, but individual fish have been known to live up to ten years.

Types of Labeo with photos

These fish are found in home reservoirs.

Labeo bicolor or two-color (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor)

When a delegate from Thailand’s reservoirs visited Russia in 1959, aquarists took notice right away.

Nobody is unaffected by its striking coloring scheme of a bright red tail and a velvet-black body. The fins seem to be translucent.

Green (Epalzeorhynchos frenatus)

Its gorgeous olive-colored body shimmers with gold. The fins have a reddish tint, and the abdomen is clearly silvery.

Albino

The albino’s body is lighter in tone and has a hint of pink, making it more graceful and elongated than other labeo. The fins and eyes are reddish in color at the same time.

Black (Morulius chrisophecadion)

Also referred to as Morulis. Its stunning black scales have a brown (less frequently blue) hue.

Fish that are young have a fairly light gray or silvery color. It is entirely black in color, which sets it apart from the two-colored labeo. Fins matching the body color.

Harlequin

The waters of Africa are home to this species of labeo. As it ages, it has the ability to change color.

Thus, juveniles are painted beige, with brown patches on their bodies and fins. Gray in adult specimens.

Fascinating! This fish can grow up to be 30 cm long.

It would be inaccurate to describe Labeo as being simple to maintain and care for; experienced aquarists are better suited to handle this fish than novices.

Water requirements

A large aquarium with a capacity of at least 60 liters is needed for the fish. A lot of aquarists even think that a reservoir of at least 80 liters is necessary for the comfortable upkeep of one individual.

The ideal pH range for water is 6.5–7.5, its hardness ranges from 6–18 gH, and its temperature ranges from 23 to 27 °C.

Because labeo inhabit reservoirs with strong currents in their natural habitat, aquariums must replicate these conditions.

Labeo also needs fresh water, which is supplied by weekly water changes that can account for up to 20% of the aquarium’s total volume.

Lighting

Steer clear of direct sunlight; not only will it destroy the reservoir’s microclimate, but the fish won’t enjoy it. Diffused lighting is what they like.

Equipment

You will need an effective aeration system and a powerful filter for the aquarium to operate correctly.

Interior

Try to choose dark-colored soil, ideally with coarse sand, small stones, or pebbles to create an interior.

Verify that none of the stones have any sharp edges that could cut the fish. Furthermore, the aquarium needs to have a lid because labeo frequently jump out of the water.

When it comes to creating a cozy atmosphere, flora is crucial. Broad-leaved plants with a well-developed root system that can take root on stones and snags should be preferred.

When setting up a personal space, the following decorative components are necessary:

Food

Despite being omnivorous fish that can consume a wide variety of foods, labeo still favor plant-based diets.

You can add scraped greens (lettuce, zucchini, and cucumbers) to the fish’s diet. They will readily consume balanced food in the form of chips or granules (try to select foods that sink), but they actively consume microalgae from the aquarium walls.

Due to their sleek, dark bodies and quick movements, labeo fish—also known as "black torpedoes"—are an intriguing addition to any aquarium. This post will discuss five different Labeo varieties, each with special qualities and appeal to help you select the ideal one for your aquatic setup.

Compatibility with other fish

Though they can congregate in schools, bolabeo prefer to spend most of their time among vegetation due to their timid nature.

These creatures can get pretty aggressive as they get older, so it’s best to avoid keeping more than four of them in a single, big body of water. The aquarium should be clearly divided into zones at the same time.

It is feasible to find a good labeo neighborhood:

• with angelfish;
• barbs;
• danio;
• coriadoras catfish;
• tetras;
• swordtails;
• gourami.

Among the unsavory neighbors, the fish listed below are noteworthy:

Reproduction

Although spawning in an artificial reservoir is extremely difficult, it is possible.

Sexual difference

It should be mentioned that juveniles cannot be distinguished from adults. The fish do not develop sexual differences until they are 1.5–2 years old, or when they reach sexual maturity.

Only the more rounded abdomen and straight ascending line of the dorsal and anal fins (which are slightly curved in males) allow you to identify a female labeo.

Stimulating injections

In aquariums, natural spawning is nearly impossible, so breeders frequently inject females and males with hormones into their backs.

Additionally, you can buy the medication "Nerestin," which comes in injection and food additive form.

Shortage of males

The lack of males in the population makes it more difficult to reproduce in captivity. They are smaller and there are initially fewer of them in the litter than females.

Because of this disparity, females frequently just murder males. The only way out of this predicament is to transplant feeble people who have developmental delays into a different reservoir.

Preparation for spawning and spawning

A 150 liter spawning tank with a half-meter water height is needed for the reproduction of offspring. Enough plants, a high-quality filter, and an aeration system should be present in the spawning tank. Diffuse lighting only is permitted.

On the day prior to the procedure, individuals that are meant for breeding should be divided. Every day, the water is replaced and the temperature is lowered to 23 °C.

Future parents should eat a wide variety of foods. Choose one female and two or three males for spawning.

The fish are moved into the spawning tank after receiving the medication, and spawning takes place in five to six hours. It takes the spawning process thirty minutes or so.

A portion of the eggs quickly sink to the bottom, where the labeo consume them. Since unfertilized eggs are whiter, the aquarium has to be empty of them.

Following spawning, the eggs are moved to a small aquarium (up to 20 liters) with light aeration, and the producers are put back into the main reservoir.

Take note! The water must be changed regularly because, once the eggs hatch, it may become murky, which will cause the fry to perish.

Development of Labeo fry

On the second day after hatching, the fry can move around on their own and consume protozoa.

The fry’s diet is changed to include brine shrimp eggs or crushed egg yolk after a few days. Within the first two weeks, nearly half of the litter passes away. The fry’s continued development is incredibly uneven.

Diseases of Labeo

Although Labeo are known for having a high level of immunity, the following illnesses can arise from improper care and maintenance:

1. Aeromoniasis (dropsy). The abdomen acquires a reddish tint and swells, the fish loses its appetite.
2. Skin mucosa. A whitish coating appears on the body of the Labeo.

It is recommended to quarantine infected fish in a separate reservoir with salted water and to add antimicrobial medications to the feed.

Cost of fish

The size and color of the fish determine how much Labeo costs. Prices can vary by as much as 400 rubles.

A large fish (more than 10 cm) can cost 500 rubles, while small fish typically cost 100 rubles each.

A succinct summary of the article "Aquarium fish labeo: 5 varieties of "black torpedoes"" is provided below:

Every Labeo variety adds something special to your aquarium, whether it’s their eye-catching looks or their lively ways. These fish will definitely add a dynamic element to your tank, regardless of whether you go for the traditional Black Labeo or investigate the other varieties.

Given their territorial nature, keeping Labeos requires some caution. They can, however, flourish and turn into the centerpiece of your aquarium with the correct setup and knowledge of their requirements.

You will enjoy watching these "black torpedoes" glide through the water, adding life and energy to your aquatic world, if you choose the right variety and create the right environment.

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