[13][7] It has declined drastically due to pollution, dams (preventing its natural breeding migration), overfishing, introduced species and collection for the aquarium trade.

Adult females are of dark purple color with a broad and vertical reddish area along the body.

Juveniles of the Chinese high-fin banded sharks are also characterized by high and triangular dorsal finnage that extends up to the rear of the anal fin.

The characteristic pale bands found in young specimens disappear at a length of 30–36 cm (12–14 in),[13] and the species has been referred to as an "ugly duckling in reverse".

[14] They migrate into relatively fast flowing, shallow headwaters to spawn, but spend the remaining time in the main river sections.