Animal-World > Aquarium Tropical Fish > Cyprinids > Bala Shark

Bala Shark ~ Silver Shark

Bala Sharkminnow ~ Tricolor shark ~ Tricolor Sharkminnow

Family: CyprinidaeBalantiocheilus melanopterusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   Despite its name, the very popular Bala Shark has a perfectly sweet disposition and peacefully goes about minding its own business!

   Don't be fooled by the word "shark" in its name. The term "shark" is derived from its appearance, a superficial resemblance of its dorsal fin to that of the ferocious and predatory ocean fish. This fish is not really a shark at all! Though they look imposing, especially since they can get rather large, they are not aggressive and they do make a good community fish. They can even be kept with smaller fish.

   Though these fish have a gentle disposition, the Bala Sharks are large fish. They are lively, but skittish, and need lots of swimming space. They will enjoy schooling with a few of their same kind, and due to their size they will need a very large aquarium. They may jump so keep the aquarium covered. They have been known to make audible sounds.

   Place plants around the inside edges of the perimeter and use wood for the decor. Though they will pick up leftover foods from the bottom of the aquarium, they do so daintily with very little disturbance to the substrate or the plants.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Habitat: Distribution / Background

   The Bala Shark or Silver Shark was originally described by Bleeker in1851 as Barbus melanopterus but is now described as Balantiocheilos melanopterus . They are found in Southeast Asia; Thailand, Malayan Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. They inhabit large and medium sized waterways such as lakes and rivers.

• Scientific Name: Balantiocheilus melanopterus
• Social Grouping: Groups
• IUCN Red List: EN - Endangered - The Bala Shark is an endangered species. They are becoming rare or extinct in many river basins.

Description

   The Bala Shark or Silver Shark has an elongated slender body. It has an attractive silver color, slightly darker towards the top and lighter towards the underbelly, and with a slightly golden sheen to the sides. The fins and tail have a white or golden area with a broad black edge. The dorsal fin is triangular and erect, giving rise the name 'shark'.

• Maximum Size: 16.0 inches (40.64 cm)

Fish Keeping Difficulty

• Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy - This fish is very hardy however it requries a massive tank due to its great size.
• Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Foods and Feeding

   Since they are omnivorous, the Bala Shark or Silver Shark will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a high quality flake food everyday. Feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen) or blood worms as a treat, and they like mosquito larvae, daphnia, and vegetable foods.
   An aquarium best suited to this fish would be large and roomy. Place plants around the inside edges of the perimeter and use wood for the decor. Due to their size a 70 gallon aquarium is minimum, and when they reach their full adult size a 150 gallons or more will be reasonable. They may jump so keep the aquarium covered.

• Diet Type: Omnivore
• Flake Food: Yes
• Tablet Pellet: Yes
• Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
• Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
• Meaty Food: Some of Diet
• Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day

Aquarium Care

• Water Changes: Bi-weekly

Aquarium Setup

• Minimum Tank Size: 175 gal (662 L)
• Substrate Type: Any
• Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
• Temperature: 72.0 - 80.0° F (22.2 - 26.7° C)
• Range ph: 6.5-7.0
• Hardness Range: 2 - 10 dGH
• Brackish: No
• Water Movement: Moderate
• Water Region: All

Social Behaviors

   This fish is not really a shark at all. Though they look imposing, especially since they can get rather large, they are not aggressive. They make a good community fish that will not prey upon smaller fish. Lively and fun to watch, but skittish. They enjoy schooling with about 5 or so of their same kind, and so they need lots of swimming space.

• Venomous: No
• Temperament: Peaceful - This fish is peaceful and gregarious and combines well with fish of a similar temperament.
• Compatible with:
  • Same species - conspecifics: Yes
  • Peaceful fish (): Safe
  • Semi-Aggressive: (): Monitor
  • Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive

Sex: Sexual differences

   No external differences.

Breeding / Reproduction

   Little is known about the breeding habits of the Bala Shark, though they are an egg scatterer. They have been reported to have bred in the aquarium, but are not yet bred commercially.

• Ease of Propagation: Unknown - This fish has been known to breed in the home aquarium but generally accidentally.

Availability

   The Bala Shark or Silver Shark is readily available and is very popular. Single specimens start at about $5.00 USD.

References

Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants

Author: David Brough. CFS.

• Bala Shark : $9.39
• Bala Shark : $2.79

Bala Shark Offered By: PetsMart Price: $9.39

Bala Shark 1.5 2.5 Length Offered By: PetCo Price: $2.79

Lastest Comments on Bala Shark View all 77 comments on Bala Shark Add Your Comment

nm123 - 2011-11-07 I just got 1 SILVER SHARK and I was wondering if I can't fit it in a 30 gal wide with one angelfish and a red tailed shark, Cory and a clown pleco oh and 2 silver tip tetras? PLEASE GET BACK TO ME ASAP I love this fish so much and don't want to see it die. Click For Replies (4) Charlie Roche - 2011-11-08 No they won't fit except if very young and that is a stretch. Scroll up in the article and you will see that 70 gallons minimum is recommended for this one fish - preferably 140 gallons. Another problem is if a fish can fit another fish in his mouth - they will consider it food. nm123 - 2011-11-08 what about just the silver shark nothing else nm123 - 2011-11-09 What about if just the silver shark lives in the tank its wider horizontally than vertically. Anonymous - 2012-01-13 When they are stessed in a small tank they will try and jump out of your tank and kill themselves. They also need to be in groups or the same thing will happen Reply

nm123 - 2011-11-20 Has anybody ever cared for three spot gouramis? Reply

Yo - 2011-11-19 I had 3 silver shark and one albino rainbow. . .the rainbow killed them all except one D: Reply

nm123 - 2011-11-17 What about if just the silver shark lives in the tank its wider horizontally than vertically. Click For Replies (2) Charlie Roche - 2011-11-18 Article above recommends a minimum of a 70 gallon tank and then 150 gallon tank when it is an adult. I don't think the little guy will care much whether the width is greater horizontally or vertically. They just need the swimming room - Enjoy nm123 - 2011-11-18 thanks please have you ever cared for 3 spot gourames Reply

lekisha kelly - 2010-03-27 I just bought a silver shark today and I have other fish in the tank, it's only about 5 cm now but I'm a bit worried what to do with it when it gets bigger, my tank is about 50 cm wide. Click For Replies (1) nm123 - 2011-11-09 As long as you have about a 55 gallon tank you don't need to upgrade it I have mine in a 30 gallon but he's tiny he's probably going to be the only one living in it in about a year. Reply

Jb - 2011-01-23 Why won't my shark eat fish flakes it only eats sinking pellets what should I do? Click For Replies (1) nm123 - 2011-11-07 Nothing as long as it's eating it's fine, if you want to feed it something else though cut a pea in half and drop both pieces into the tank depending on the size of your shark (silver shark). Reply

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