Borneo Red Fin Silver Shark
Cyclocheilichthys janthochir
Borneo Red Fin Silver Shark (Cyclocheilichthys janthochir) is a peaceful bottom-to-middle swimmer that suits calm freshwater aquariums. It stays small, but it should be kept in a group and needs enough open substrate area for feeding and movement.
Quick facts
- Adult size
- up to 20 cm
- Aquarium size
- 240 L or larger
- Care level
- Beginner – Intermediate
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swimming zone
- Bottom to middle swimmer
- Temperature
- 21–26 °C
- pH
- 4–7
- GH
- 1–12 dGH
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Lifespan
- up to 10 years
- Group behavior
- Groups of 6 or more recommended
Overview
Borneo Red Fin Silver Shark (Cyclocheilichthys janthochir) is a bottom-to-middle swimmer for aquariums where the layout leaves enough open substrate area and the water stays stable.
Use these values as planning checks, then make sure the aquarium still has room for behavior, group needs, and calm community fish.
Care requirements
With a Beginner – Intermediate care level, Borneo Red Fin Silver Shark is approachable, but it still needs stable water, clean substrate, and a well-planned stocking group.
Because it uses the lower to middle part of the aquarium, leave enough open substrate area instead of crowding that part of the aquarium.
Plan the aquarium around the group, not just one individual.
With a lifespan of up to 10 years, this is a fish to plan for long term rather than an impulse addition.
Aquarium size and space needs
An aquarium of 240 L or larger can be a reasonable starting point, but it should not be read as permission to overstock.
At up to 20 cm, Borneo Red Fin Silver Shark stays small, but a group still needs room to move, feed, and avoid constant competition.
Uses the lower to middle part of the aquarium, so leave enough open substrate area for movement and feeding.
A group of 6 or more should have enough open substrate area for movement and feeding.
Water parameters
The temperature range for this fish is 21 to 26 °C, which fits many tropical freshwater aquariums. Choose other fish with overlapping temperature needs.
The pH range for this fish is 4 to 7. That points to acidic to neutral water, but stability is more important than sudden corrections.
The GH range for this fish is 1 to 12 dGH. That gives some flexibility, but sudden changes are usually more stressful than a stable value that is slightly imperfect.
Temperament and compatibility
As a peaceful bottom-to-middle swimmer, Borneo Red Fin Silver Shark is best kept with calm species that will not harass it or dominate the feeding area.
If kept in a group of 6 or more, the aquarium should have enough open substrate area for the group rather than being planned around a single fish.
Because this fish uses the lower to middle part of the aquarium, compatibility is easier when other fish are not all competing for the same swimming space.
Swimming zone and behavior
This fish uses the lower to middle part of the aquarium, so leave enough open substrate area for movement and feeding.
Because this species is best planned as a group of 6 or more, bottom space matters more than body size alone.
Feeding
As an omnivore, Borneo Red Fin Silver Shark should receive a varied diet rather than one repeated food type.
Because it feeds near the bottom, make sure food reaches the substrate and is not completely taken by faster fish in the open water.
Natural habitat and origin
This profile currently lists the origin as Indonesia. Treat this as a broad regional note rather than a complete habitat description.
Before adding this fish
Use this checklist before treating the profile as a match for an existing aquarium.
- Plan for an aquarium of 240 L or larger.
- Make sure the bottom area has enough open substrate for a group.
- Choose other fish with overlapping temperature needs.
- Keep pH stable within the listed range instead of making sudden corrections.
- Avoid aggressive or highly competitive fish.
- Plan for a group of 6 or more.
- Offer a varied diet suitable for an omnivorous bottom-dwelling fish.
Similar fish profiles
Use these profiles to compare fish with similar care level, size, temperature range, or swimming behavior.
FAQ
How large does Borneo Red Fin Silver Shark get?
Borneo Red Fin Silver Shark reaches up to 20 cm according to this profile. It stays relatively small, but aquarium planning should still account for group size and bottom space.
What aquarium size does Borneo Red Fin Silver Shark need?
Plan for an aquarium of 240 L or larger. Treat this as a baseline, because a grouped bottom-dwelling fish also needs open substrate area and compatible fish.
Is Borneo Red Fin Silver Shark peaceful?
Yes. Borneo Red Fin Silver Shark is recorded as peaceful and is best planned with calm community fish that do not harass it or dominate the feeding area.
What temperature is suitable for Borneo Red Fin Silver Shark?
The temperature range for this fish is 21 to 26 °C. Choose other fish with overlapping temperature needs and avoid sudden temperature swings.
Should Borneo Red Fin Silver Shark be kept alone or in a group?
This profile recommends groups of 6 or more. Plan the aquarium around the group rather than a single fish.