Bala shark, also known as silver shark and tricolor shark, is a fish that due to its torpedo-shaped body is called a shark, however, it is not a true shark. It belongs to the genus Balantiocheilos in which there is only one other specie than the bala shark. It is a popular aquarium fish and here is your guide about the bala shark and its tank requirements.
Scientific name: Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Taxonomic Classification
Physical Appearance
Bala shark is pretty to look at as it has an elongated and torpedo-shaped body. Its caudal fins are deeply forked while the edges of all the fins have front zones yellow or orange in color with a mix of deep black at the end of the fins.
The body of the bala shark is silver in color but its defined scales do shine with different vibrant colors. They have big eyes on their bodies which they use to find their prey.
Habitat
The bala shark is most commonly found in aquariums as it is one of the most-loved sharks when it comes to displaying beautiful sea animals. Other than that, in the wild, they are found in the region of Sumatra, around the Malay Peninsula, and in Borneo.
Size And Weight
Though it is a misconception that the bala shark, being a good fit for an aquarium will remain small just like when they are captured, it does grow big as much as 14 inches in length. That’s why it’s necessary to have an aquarium suitable for its appropriate growth. The adult bala shark can weigh around 2.3 pounds.
Food of Bala Shark
Bala shark is an omnivore and in its natural habitat, it generally feeds on algae, larvae, insects, plant portions, and crustaceans. During captivity, they are fed frozen foods like dry fish, flake foods, pellets, dried plankton, bloodworms, vegetable matter, shrimp, and dried fruits. Their diet shall be kept in check for their proper growth and all the nutrients, majorly protein, shall be provided in sufficient amounts.
Reproduction And Lifespan
The bala shark goes for external fertilization as the female bala shark upon sexual maturation lays an egg and the male comes around to release sperm on them for fertilization. Once the eggs are laid by females, they don’t nourish or take care of them rather they prefer to live on their own and the newly borns manage their survival on their own.
Nothing is sure about the breeding frequency of the Bala shark so it’s hard to decide on their lifespan, however, with proper care, the Bala shark can live for 10 years or more, on average.
Conservation Status
The conservation status of the Bala shark is Vulnerable, according to the Redlist shared by IUCN. Some other concerned authorities also believe that the specie is Endangered.
Threats And Dangers
During captivity, bala sharks need to be in clean water otherwise they might experience various diseases. The aquarium trade is a major stakeholder in pushing this specie towards extinction as bala sharks are targeted during the breeding season and this is taking a toll on their population count.
Tank Requirements
Bala sharks require good care and appropriate tank conditions to survive in captivity. Following tank requirements are necessary for their survival.
| Parameters | Requirements |
| Care level | Easy |
| Tank size | 120-150 gallon |
| Water Temperature | 77 ℉ |
| pH | 6.5 – 8 |
| Water Hardness | 10 -13 dGH |
| Lighting | Basic lighting for 8 hrs a day |
| Food | Dry fish food |
| Breeding | Egglayer (Hard to make them breed in home aquaria) |
| Tank Mates | Tinfoil Barbs, Emerald Rainbowfish, Clown Loaches, Angelfish, Black Ghost Knifefish |
Interesting Facts
- Bala shark have their face down and they use their big eyes to spot the prey.
- Bala sharks are commonly found in fresh lakes and rivers.
- Bala shark is a famous peaceful creature in the aquarium world.
- Bala shark can be kept with a group of 5 or more fish as it gets along well with other kinds of tropical fish, but more than 5 can sound like a competition to Bala.
- Bala sharks need a large area for swimming and spawning, thus, they need a larger aquarium to live in.
The Final Word
Bala shark is a popular aquarium fish with silver bodies and dark black stripes on the edges of the pectoral, caudal, and anal fin, and is not a true shark. It is easy to care for and can survive in a large aquarium as it grows upto 14 inches in length. Though the bala shark does not get sick easily, it is imperative to keep the tank conditions optimal to avoid any itchy conditions.
