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Scientific Name |
Balantiocheilos melanopterus |
| Type |
Cyprinids |
Family |
Cyprinodontoidae |
Subfamily |
Cyprininae |
Other Names |
Tricolor Shark, Silver Shark, Tri Color Shark Minnow, Hangus, Silver Bala |
Minimum Tank Size |
50 gallons or more for young fish, 100 minimum for adult. 125+ ideally, as these are schooling fish and will pine away if alone. |
Tank Level |
All levels |
Care |
Easy |
Behavior |
Peaceful if they are in a large enough tank and if they are kept with a full school of other Bala sharks (5 or more). Balas are schooling fish and need to be with others of their own kind. Tend to get agitated and semi-aggressive if kept alone or in a small tank. Active. Usually minds its own business. Can jump and tight fitting lid is needed. Energetic, Curious and aware of who's outside the tank. |
| Compatibility |
Tends not to bother mildly aggressive cichlids. Angelfish, gouramis, large barbs (tinfoil), Rainbowfish, large danios (giant variety), larger tetras (pacus included). Adult size tank is large enough for a shoal of clown or other Botiine loaches. Catfish (otocinclus excluded) are unobtrusive and well-tolerated. Omnivorous and herbivorous plecos will be ignored. Will eat smaller fish. |
Life span |
8 - 10 years |
Size |
13 - 16 inches (33-40cm), females are on the smaller side. Grows fast |
Aquarium |
Needs large swimming area. Likes live plants in the tank. Longer tank necessary. |
Water chemistry |
Fresh Water |
pH |
5.8 to 7.8 |
Hardness |
dH: 5.0 - 15.0 (soft to medium) |
Temperature |
72º - 84ºF (22-29°C) |
Feeding |
Not picky, will eat flakes, pellets and live food. Needs some plant matter in food. Will also search for food on the bottom of the tank. Full grown Balas have been known to eat very small fish such as neon tetras and guppies. Some Balas will make clicking noises while feeding. |
Sexing |
Males are larger, females are slightly smaller |
Breeding |
Egg scatterer. Some have reported to have bred them in an aquarium. However, an exceptionally long aquarium is necessary for breeding. Current is necessary for males to appropriately scatter sperm. Balas do not guard eggs and will eat fry. |
Origin |
Sumatra, Thailand, Borneo and Malaysia |
Extras |
Not actually a true shark. They are called "Sharks" for their appearance and the shape of their dorsal fin. |
