From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Bala Shark
Balantiocheilos melanopterus
- Temperature
- 20–28 °C
- pH
- 6 – 8
- Min. tank size
- 864 L
- Lifespan
- 8-10 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- easy
Endangered on the IUCN Red List. That describes the wild population — the criteria cover only wild populations inside their natural range, and captive-bred fish are not assessed. Captive-bred stock is widely available and takes nothing from the wild population.
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Balantiocheilos melanopterus |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Origin: | Southeast Asia (large rivers of Borneo, Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | easy |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 35.00 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | 6+ together |
| Varieties: | No cultivated strains, and no colour forms of any consequence — this is a wild-type fish and its appearance needs no improvement. An albino form is occasionally offered at high prices, and long-finned selections appear rarely. Neither is established in the trade. Every bala shark on sale originates from commercial breeding projects. Wild-caught fish are effectively absent from the trade, which given the Endangered listing is exactly as it should be. The name causes confusion. Bala shark, silver shark and tricolor shark all refer to this one species, and none of them are sharks — the family is Cyprinidae. Two unrelated fish are sold under similar names and are constantly confused with it. The red tail shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor) is a 15 cm territorial loner that must be kept singly — the exact opposite requirement. The iridescent or "paroon" shark is a pangasius catfish that reaches well over a metre and is even less suitable for a home aquarium than this fish is. If a shop offers you any fish called a shark, check the species before the tank. |
| Lifespan: | 8-10 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:High
- Min Tank:864 L
- Substrate:Gravel or sand; lots of open swimming space and a very tight lid
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:High (large, active fish; strong flow)
Bala Shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus) is a species of fish in the family Cyprinidae. It is native to Southeast Asia (large rivers of Borneo, Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula). The bala shark is a beautiful fish and one of the least suitable things sold for a home aquarium. It reaches 350 mm standard length. It is a shoaling species that should always be kept in a group of five or more. The specialist minimum tank is a 240 × 60 cm base — around 864 litres. Multiply those together and the problem is obvious. Seriously Fish put it plainly: long-term care is simply beyond the resources of most hobbyists, and its suitability for the home aquarium is questionable at best. It also carries a conservation history. The species has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 1996, with populations declining sharply and the fish extirpated from parts of its range. Every one on sale comes from commercial breeding projects — 100 per cent of trade stock. The silver body with black-edged fins is genuinely striking. It belongs in a very large aquarium or nothing.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Groups of 6+
- Swims
- middle
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Bala Shark
Matched on family, then category, then water type