It is freshwater fish of China that is widely used in ornamental industry due to its beautiful colour. The fish has beautiful alternate black and white bands over the body which originate from dorsal to ventral side. Dorsal fin is very large. Fins black in colour. It grows to a length of around 60 cm and should be kept in large aquarium. They are peaceful fishes and several of its kind may be kept in a large aquarium. They like to nibble the leaves of soft-leafed plants and should not  be kept with plants. Bottom feeder and omnivore and can be fed commercial aquarium diets like food flakes, cichlid sticks, live food and (blanched) lettuce, spinach and watercress leaves. It can tolerate wide temperature variations but needs to be kept in water above than 16 °C. Sexual differences and Breeding  is unknown.