Bala Shark

Bala Shark (Balantiocheilos Melanopterus)

The Bala Shark, scientifically known as Silver Shark and Tricolor Shark, is a captivating freshwater fish that's a favorite among aquarists. Its silver body, complemented by black-tipped fins, gives it a striking appearance. Bala Sharks are better suited for intermediate aquatic hobbyists.

The Bala Shark is a peaceful, playful fish known for its active swimming patterns and friendly nature. It grows up to 14 inches in size, making it a large fish for home aquariums. They exhibit a friendly demeanor, making them compatible with a variety of other peaceful to semi-aggressive fish species. Bala Sharks are schooling fish, and keeping at least 5 in a tank is recommended to prevent stress.

Their diet is omnivorous, consisting of both plant-based foods and meaty foods. They enjoy a variety of foods, including flakes, pellets, and live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp and bloodworms.

While Bala Sharks can thrive in bare setups, they truly shine in environments that mimic their natural habitat, such as tanks designed to resemble fast-flowing rivers with a substrate of rocks, gravel, large boulders, and driftwood branches with plenty of swimming space.

Regular water changes and monitoring of water parameters are essential to keep these fish healthy. Bala Sharks are highly sensitive to organic waste and require pristine water conditions, high levels of dissolved oxygen, and substantial water movement to thrive. Large external filters are necessary to achieve this, and a secure, heavy cover is recommended due to the Bala Shark's skittish nature and strong jumping ability.

Bala Sharks require a minimum tank size of 150 gallons due to their active nature and size. They thrive in clean water with a pH of 6.0-8.0, hardness of 10-13 dGH, and a temperature of 72-82°F (22-28°C).