The Bala Shark, scientifically known as Balantiocheilos melanopterus, is a captivating freshwater fish that has long been a favorite in the aquarium hobby. Often referred to as the Silver Shark or Tricolor Shark, this species is not related to true sharks but belongs to the Cyprinid family. Native to Southeast Asia, specifically Thailand, Sumatra, and Borneo, the Bala Shark is admired for its silvery appearance, shark-like features, and peaceful nature. However, many keepers often provide unsuitable conditions for these fish, which can impact their long-term health. This comprehensive guide will navigate you through everything from the Bala Shark's origins and appearance to diet requirements, social behavior in captivity, breeding habits, and potential health issues.
Origin and Appearance
Native to Southeast Asia, the Bala Shark has been affectionately called "The Gentle Giant" due to its larger size and easygoing temperament. The Bala Shark's common name derives from its silvery appearance and shark-like features, such as its large eyes and mouth. These beautiful freshwater fish will add some life to your aquarium, so let us guide you through everything from their origin and look to diet requirements, social behavior in captivity, breeding habits and potential health issues. In their native habitats, Bala Sharks are also known by other names that include Tricolor Shark, Silver Bala, Silver Shark and Tri Color Minnows due to their unique colors and markings. Bala Sharks, also known as Tricolor Shark, Silver Shark, Bala Fish, and Balantiocheilos melanopterus, have a very distinct appearance with their silver scales along with black edged fins that make them appear similar to sharks. A member of the Cyprinid (minnow) family, Balantiocheilos melanopterus has a shiny metallic silver body with well-defined scales, large eyes, and a deeply forked yellow-tinged tail. The dorsal, caudal, pelvic, and anal fins are all edged in deep black.
Size and Lifespan
An adult Bala Shark typically reaches up to thirteen inches (over 1 foot) so it makes quite an impressive centerpiece species when kept properly. Adult Bala Sharks can reach up to 14 inches (35 cm) in length. The beauty and grace of Bala Sharks with their metallic silver bodies and pointed fins bring plenty of joy to home aquarium owners. When it comes to their lifespan, the Bala Shark can enjoy up to ten years in a healthy environment. The longevity of these fish species greatly depends on factors such as diet and tankmates. To guarantee this creature reaches its maximum potential, you must offer balanced meals and provide ideal conditions like enough room, low stress, or compatible companions.
Habitat and Tank Requirements
Bala Sharks are native to rivers and lakes of Southeast Asia, which provide ideal fast-flowing waters in their natural environment. For Bala Sharks, a natural environment can be replicated with a dark pebbly substrate. It is noteworthy that Bala Sharks have been labeled endangered by the IUCN. At one time, they were found in Thailand, Borneo, Sumatra, and the Malayan peninsula. The cause of this drastic reduction of bala sharks in their native lands is still under debate. Some believe they were overfished for the aquarium industry. Others think damming of the rivers is to blame, while still others believe pollution is the root cause. Regardless of the reasons, there is no question that the bala shark is rarely found in their original native habitats. In fact, since 1996, this fish has been on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Creating the ideal environment for Bala Sharks is imperative in order to maintain their well-being and contentment. These peaceful fish can grow quite large, making it necessary that they have ample swimming space available within the tank. Since a Bala Shark gets large, they need sufficient space to grow properly. A minimum tank size of 120 gallons is suggested for them. If the fish are fully grown and supported by a group, then a large aquarium of 150-gallon and at minimum, a 5 feet wide tank should be provided.
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When setting up the aquarium, choose décor with smooth edges to prevent injuries to the fish. You can use sand or gravel as the substrate. Incorporating a variety of plants is beneficial, as they offer cover and help reduce nitrate levels, improving water quality. Arrange plants primarily along the sides and back of the tank to create open swimming spaces in the center. Decorate with large robust plants around the periphery of the tank, but leave plenty of open swimming space in the center of the tank. Provide smooth rocks and driftwood to round out the décor. Given the large tank these guys need, we recommend the Tararium Aquarium Filter since it covers a wide range of tank sizes, from 40 gallons to 150 gallons. Aquarium Filter for 40-150 Gal. CRYSTAL CLEAR - Reducing the number of times the fish tank needs to be changed. Aquarium air pump, filtration, water pump, and water waves making all in one multi-functional underwater aquarium filter.
It is recommended that aquarium owners place hiding spots for Bala Sharks to rest in when tired of swimming.Maintaining a suitable tank environment for your Bala Shark is paramount, so it’s important to ensure compatible fish species are selected as their tank mates.
Water Parameters
In order to keep your Bala Shark healthy and happy, water conditions as well as filtration, should be kept at ideal levels. It is recommended that the temperature of their tank stay between 22-28°C (72-82°F) for optimal health. Bala Sharks are native to Southeast Asia, specifically Thailand, Sumatra, and Borneo. This origin allows them to tolerate a range of temperatures from 22°C (71.6°F) to 28°C (82°F). However, they require high water quality, so it is crucial to ensure that the aquarium is fully cycled and stable before introducing these fish. The first is the baseline water temperature. Silver sharks do best when their water temperature is at 77°F. The pH level of the water is not a major concern for Bala Sharks, as they can thrive in a variety of pH levels found in their native habitats. They can tolerate pH levels ranging from 6.0 to 7.6.
Keep your ammonia and nitrites at 0. Nitrates should ideally stay under 40 PPM.The water hardness is the last key piece of the puzzle when it comes to water levels. All of these levels can be easily monitored with a thermometer and a basic water testing kit. All you need to provide them with sufficient lighting is a basic freshwater lamp that shouldn’t cost you much money at all.
Filtration
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Diet and Feeding
Maintaining your Bala Shark’s well-being requires providing a balanced diet with all the necessary nutrients. Bala Sharks are omnivorous and thrive on a varied diet. This should include live and dried foods such as insects, crustaceans, bloodworms, brine shrimp, or anything from plant matter to diced fruits and vegetables. Your bala shark should have a regular meal plan for you in order to keep them healthy. It’s advised that you give the fish 3 meals daily due to their high activity levels. Overall, you should be feeding yours 3 times a day. Only give them enough food so they take around 1 minute each time eating it. This should be a small amount that takes the fish roughly 2 to 3 minutes to eat.Monitoring these portions correctly is fundamental since too much of it could lead to unhealthy water conditions. In their natural habitat, Bala Sharks consume small aquatic insects, rotifers, and insect larvae, along with algae. Adding some plankton, bloodworms or appropriate vegetable matter can increase their overall health. To mimic their diet in the aquarium, provide high-quality live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and mysis shrimp. Algae wafers can satisfy their vegetable intake.
Food Types
High-quality flakes or small pellets should form the staple of their diet. Because Bala Sharks can grow to a large size, it is essential to give them plenty of protein in their diet to keep them growing strong. To ensure they stay healthy and vibrant, offer a range of foods. Bala Sharks will also graze on algae in the tank, contributing to tank cleanliness. While live or frozen foods are excellent, avoid using Tubifex worms due to potential disease risks in lower-quality feeds. Be cautious with bloodworms, as overfeeding can cause digestive issues, including gut blockages. A varied diet keeps Bala Sharks engaged and ensures they receive a balanced nutritional intake. These fish need higher quality food, as they can get malnourished if fed poor quality foods.
Social Behavior and Tank Mates
Bala Sharks are usually peaceful and get along well with other fish types, making them a great choice for any shared aquarium. The affable fish travel in schools when in the wild, and fish owners should purchase several of these Bala Sharks at a time as they like company. Bala Sharks are natural schooling fish, so it is best to keep them in a small group of at least five individuals. This will grant them enough room for swimming whilst also helping to shape strong connections between the fish. For their wellbeing and pleasure, it is wise to maintain a sizable aquarium with at least five Bala sharks. This allows them to swim freely and form strong social bonds. If you have the necessary understanding of how to maintain an appropriate living environment for your Bala Sharks, taking care of them should be a simple task. These attractive peaceful fish can peacefully live in an environment with various different kinds of fish while still maintaining their community tank habitat. Nevertheless, some combinations may prove fatal if incompatible species are selected.
When selecting tank mates for Bala Sharks, it is important to choose larger non-aggressive fish that will not compete with them in terms of food or territory. Juvenile bala sharks can be kept with a wide variety of fish due to their generally peaceful nature. As long as the fish are peaceful creatures and large enough, they should make ideal companions, whereas smaller fish should be avoided as they may end up being eaten by your rapidly growing bala sharks! As long as the fish are peaceful creatures and large enough, they should make ideal companions, whereas smaller fish should be avoided as they may end up being eaten by your rapidly growing bala sharks!To ensure harmony between all the aquatic animals living together, pay close attention when deciding which species share a space. When alone, they are more likely to act a bit more aggressive. When kept alone, they tend to be both timid and skittish.
Incompatible Tank Mates
Maintaining a suitable tank environment for your Bala Shark is paramount, so it’s important to ensure compatible fish species are selected as their tank mates. Semi-aggressive and competitive types of fish should not be cohabited with these sharks due to the fact that they may bully your bala shark. There are some larger fish species that tend to be predators (like cichlids). These should be avoided or closely monitored to ensure that your Bala Shark is safe with their tankmates.
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It would also be wise not to include small specimens such as small tetras in the same aquarium - as the bala shark have been known to consume them too! There are some species of smaller fish that should be avoided as tank mates as well. These include neon tetra, guppies, harlequin rasbora and other smaller fish types. Fish owners should also be aware that these relatively frisky fish tend to move around and swim for hours. Snails are also not a good choice for Bala Sharks. Although not considered an aggressive fish species, Bala Sharks can eat smaller fish, especially those that are smooth and sleek, as they get bigger. As they grow larger, they will sometimes eat small fish, particularly sleek fish.
Suitable Tank Mates
Some aquarists have successfully kept Bala Sharks with South American cichlids, such as Angelfish. Tiger Barbs are an ideal choice if you’re seeking to inject some excitement into your Bala shark tank. These small but feisty fish provide perfect amusement for all who look upon it in admiration at its activities. Suitable companions include Platies, larger Tetras like the Black Widow (Black Skirt), and many Gourami species.
Breeding Bala Sharks
Breeding Bala Sharks can be a difficult task due to the specific prerequisites for successful reproduction. Most of those in the aquarium trade are spawned on Asian fish farms, with few aquarists succeeding at breeding them in their tanks. Commercial breeders often use hormones to induce spawning of redtail, rainbow and bala sharks. Identifying the sex of Bala Sharks is important if you wish to breed them. Female Bala Sharks are more common than males in the wild. To breed your Bala Sharks, it is recommended that you determine the sex of the fish if possible.
Sexing and Preparation
One of the main challenges is distinguishing between male and female Bala Sharks, as they often look very similar. Females often have a slightly rounded belly area and body type. Females tend to have a rounder belly, but this difference can be subtle. It can be difficult to tell apart the sexes. Female Bala Sharks are smaller than males and their bodies tend to be curvier, while they reach sexual maturity at around three years old with a size of five inches (13 cm). To improve your chances of obtaining a breeding pair, consider purchasing a small group of juveniles and growing them out. This method increases the likelihood of having both males and females, which will eventually pair off.
It is necessary to prep a Bala Shark before they are of age to breed. This means that the fish should be kept separated in another tank before they reach puberty. It is crucial to give the fish enough space and room to swim during this process.
Spawning Process
In order to breed Adult Bala Sharks, you must create an environment that replicates their native habitat in a tank of at least 55 gallons. Fast flowing water and plenty of vegetation is recommended as it creates a more inviting atmosphere which often helps these silver sharks spawn successfully. There are special nets that can be placed at the very bottom of the aquarium that makes it easier to spot signs of spawning. Raise the water temperature by a few degrees. This can help encourage breeding behavior. Once a pair is established, they will exhibit courtship behaviors, such as swimming and following each other around the tank.
Bala Sharks tend to spawn in the morning, and this process can take several hours. It is important to have good water flow during spawning so that the male fertilizing agent gets spread out farther. Female Bala Sharks are egg scatterers, depositing their eggs throughout the tank. The male will fertilize the eggs by releasing sperm over them, and a gentle water current can help distribute the sperm more effectively.
Post-Spawning Care
After a few more hours, the unfertilized whitish spawn material can be safely removed. The fertilized eggs will settle into the substrate, and since the parent fish do not provide further care, they should be removed from the tank to prevent them from eating the eggs. In awhile, 30 to 50 percent of the water should be renewed carefully. Initially, the fry will feed on their yolk sacs. Within 24 hours, small larvae can begin to be visible. Once they become free-swimming, they can be fed crushed flakes or small live foods like brine shrimp. The fry can be fed with ciliates at first.
Fry Development
The new Bala Sharks can grow at different speeds. Breeding Bala Sharks requires patience, as it’s common to encounter issues such as eggs not hatching. Expect some setbacks before achieving success. Juvenile Bala Sharks are susceptible to infections, so monitor them closely for signs of white spot or flashing against the décor. If infections do occur, treat them carefully, reducing the dosage of medication with each treatment.
Common Health Issues
Bala Sharks, although usually quite hardy and disease-resistant, can suffer from problems such as dropsy when the tank environment is not up to par. To ensure that Bala Sharks remain healthy, it is important to monitor them closely for signs or symptoms of any type of illness. They should also be provided with proper care so that their habitat remains clean and safe at all times. Smart Bala Shark care should include monitoring them for signs of common fish ailments like dropsy that causes them to swell, and ich which results in white spots on their scales.
Preventing and Treating Diseases
To keep your Bala Sharks healthy and free from diseases, you should take several steps. Firstly, make sure to maintain high water quality in the tank they live in. Bala sharks have a shy and mild personality, so they’re not troublesome in any way. On top of this, it’s important to regularly inspect your Bala Shark for signs of common illnesses so any necessary treatment can be administered right away.
Bala Sharks are usually sturdy. They can contract typical fish ailments such as Ich and Dropsy. Bala Sharks are particularly prone to white spot disease, more so than many other aquarium fish. This susceptibility is likely due to their skittish nature, which can weaken their immune system and make them more vulnerable to the Ich parasite. White spot can be managed effectively if detected early. Regular observation of your fish's behavior, especially their swimming patterns and feeding habits, can help you spot early signs of the disease. Initial treatment often involves raising the water temperature slightly and increasing the frequency of water changes. If these measures are insufficient and medication is required, it is crucial to follow the recommended dosage precisely and complete the full treatment course, even if the symptoms appear to improve midway through. To address these issues, one needs to change up the water in combination with antibiotics or other medications prescribed.