All fish / Cyprinidae

Bala Shark

Balantiocheilos melanopterus

Also known as silver shark, tricolor shark, tri-color shark, bala shark minnow, balantiocheilus melanopterus, tricolour shark minnow, ปลาหางไหม้, ikan hangus, バラントカイラス, シルバーシャーク, ikan balashark, ikan bala

A sleek, silvery cyprinid whose dorsal, tail, pelvic and anal fins are edged in deep black, giving it a shark-like look. It is kept for its active, fast swimming and calm nature in large community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

25 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 8

Smallest tank

1000 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality pellets and flakes, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, insect larvae and some vegetable matter

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Borneo, Sumatra, Malay Peninsula and Thailand (Mekong and Chao Phraya basins)

Breeding

An egg scatterer that is rarely if ever bred in home aquariums; trade stock comes mostly from hormone-induced spawning on farms in Southeast Asia.

Good to know

Often sold as small juveniles but reaches 25 to 35 cm and needs a very long tank with a tight lid as it is a strong jumper. It may eat very small fish and is considered endangered in parts of its wild range.