Bala Shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus)
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Bala Shark
Juvenile Bala Shark
Balantiocheilos melanopterus
341 Litres (90 US G.)
30-34 cm (11.8-13.4")
Freshwater
7.0 - 7.5
22 -28 °C (71.6-82.4°F)
8-15 °d
1:2 M:F
5-10 years
Family
Cyprinidae
This animal is available captive bred
Contents
Additional names
- Bala Shark, Silver Shark, Tri-Color Shark, Tricolor Shark, Bala Sharkminnow, Tricolor Sharkminnow
Additional scientific names
- Balantiocheilus melanopterus, Barbus melanopterus, Puntius melanopterus
Origin[edit]
- This fish was mostly found throughout the Mekong Basin, Chao Phraya Basin, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo, although it is now rare in the wild.
Sexing[edit]
- Mature females are larger and more full bellied.
Tank compatibility[edit]
- A skittish mid-swimming fish. Can work in larger community tanks with larger fish, but nothing aggressive or fast swimming. Do not keep with much smaller fish nor with shy and delicate fish. Should be kept in groups of 4 or more, will be exceptionally skittish if kept alone.
Diet[edit]
- An omnivore, the Bala Shark is not a particularly finicky eater. Will accept flake/pellet foods, frozen/live foods such as bloodworm and tubifex, as well as vegetable-based foods.
Feeding regime[edit]
- Feed once or twice a day.
Environment specifics[edit]
- Needs a large long tank. 152.4-182.9cm (60-72") of swimming space is recommended to give this species ample room. Additionally well oxygenated water helps to enable this fish's swimming habits.
- The Bala shark will jump when startled as such they require a heavy and tight fitting tank hood to prevent injuries when jumping. To keep the fish from becoming startled their tank should be kept in a quiet environment, people merely walking past the tank can scare them.
Behaviour[edit]
- A large shoaling fish, can be quite skittish and requires company of it's own species to feel secure. Needs lots of lateral swimming space.
Identification[edit]
- This fish is quite distinctive and fairly common in pet stores. It has an iridescent long silver body with black-tipped and white fins. It is "shark"-like in appearance and swimming pattern.
Species Note[edit]
- This fish is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List[1] and therefore if you see this fish available in aquatic stores you should enquire whether its farmed or wild caught. Wild caught fish should be avoided.
Pictures[edit]
Bala Shark
Large Bala Shark
Bala Shark
Bala Shark
Videos[edit]
| Group in a 1480 Litres (391 US G.) Tank: |
References[edit]
- ↑ IUCN Red List 1996
External links[edit]
- Fishbase (Mirrors:
)
