Bala Shark / Silver Shark
Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Bala Shark / Silver Shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus) is a freshwater species with an adult-size reference of about 35 cm. It needs at least 600 litres and 5 individuals, with its social and territorial profile taken into account.
Temperatura da água
22 - 28 °C
Valor de pH
6 - 8
Tipo de água
Água doce
Nível do tanque
Superfície e meio
Tamanho adulto
35 cm
Volume mínimo do tanque
>= 600 L
Grupo mínimo
>= 5
GH
5 - 15 dGH
KH
2 - 7 dKH
TDS
95 - 295 ppm
Condutividade
148 - 461 uS/cm
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: A freshwater species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Taxonomy and Morphology: The accepted scientific name is Balantiocheilos melanopterus; the verified classification records genus Balantiocheilos, family Cyprinidae, subfamily Cyprininae, order Cypriniformes. Historical names remain searchable as synonyms rather than separate species.
Social Behavior: Bala Shark / Silver Shark is gregarious and should be kept in a school. The minimum reference is 5 individuals; sex, maturity and available space can require a more conservative composition. Observe access to food, resting behaviour, chasing and use of shelter. Isolation, persistent competition or aggression means the number, composition or environment needs to be corrected.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Colour and shape can vary with age, sex, physiological state and environmental conditions. Identification and sexing require recognized species-level characters; one appearance or photograph is not enough.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Aquarium Setup: Bala Shark / Silver Shark needs an aquarium of at least 600 litres, sized for adult body size and a minimum group of 5 individuals. Filtration, shelter and swimming room must match the species and the actual number kept. Volume alone does not make an enclosure suitable: tank shape and length, usable area, oxygenation and the ability to separate territories must reflect adult behaviour.
Diet and Feeding: The recorded diet is omnivorous. Offer appropriately sized foods varied within that category, and adjust quantity and frequency from actual intake, body condition and leftovers. One food or a fixed schedule is not suitable for every age and situation.
Water Quality: Maintain stable, well-oxygenated water appropriate to a freshwater species; the card's reference values are 22–28 °C, pH 6–8. Verify conditions with reliable tests and size maintenance and filtration to the actual load. Ranges are not automatic thresholds for treatment or rapid chemical correction.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: The cohabitation profile is a species to combine with caution, with a generally active temperament. Keep at least 5 individuals; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
Aquarium Breeding: The recorded reproductive profile is “oviparity”. Breeding should be attempted only with healthy adults, separation capacity and a plan for eggs or young. Do not treat unverified triggers, sex ratios or hatch times as universal for this species.
Risks and Diseases: Use a secure cover and close escape gaps. Prevent problems through quarantine of new arrivals, stable water, appropriate feeding and daily observation. Similar signs can have different causes, so check parameters, history and diagnosis before medication. Follow the product label and qualified aquatic-veterinary advice; there is no universal reduced dose for a species or family.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
A freshwater species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Origem
Sul e Sudeste Asiático
Perfil de peixe
- Temperamento
- Active
- Bala Shark / Silver Shark has a generally active temperament. Insufficient space, an unsuitable social ratio or incompatible tankmates can substantially change observed behaviour.
- Dieta
- Omnivore
- Bala Sharks are omnivorous opportunistic feeders in the wild, consuming phytoplanktons, small crustaceans, insects, and detritus. In the aquarium, they are not picky eaters and will readily accept high-quality flake foods, pellets, and granules. Their diet should be supplemented regularly with live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms, alongside vegetable matter like blanched spinach or spirulina flakes to ensure balanced nutrition.
- Expectativa de vida
- 8-15 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 35 cm
- Proporção sexual
- School
- Bala Shark / Silver Shark is gregarious and should be kept in a school. The reference minimum is 5 individuals and must not be read as permission to overcrowd the aquarium.
- Frequência de alimentação
- Twice daily
- It is recommended to feed Bala Sharks two to three times daily in small amounts that they can consume within a couple of minutes. Because they are highly active, they have a fast metabolism and benefit from consistent energy intake throughout the day. Avoid overfeeding, as uneaten food will quickly decay and degrade the water quality, which is particularly critical given their already high bioload.
- Carga biológica
- High
- Due to their large potential size of up to 12-14 inches (30-35 cm) and highly active swimming habits, Bala Sharks produce a substantial amount of waste, placing a significant load on the aquarium filtration system. They require large aquariums of at least 120-150 gallons for a school, which must be equipped with powerful, efficient filtration (such as canisters or sumps). Regular water changes and thorough gravel vacuuming are essential to prevent the accumulation of nitrates and maintain optimal water quality.
- Fluxo
- Stagnant
- Native to rivers and fast-flowing streams in Southeast Asia, Bala Sharks prefer moderate to strong water flow and high levels of oxygenation. The aquarium setup should include powerful filters, powerheads, or airstones to simulate these natural riverine conditions. Good surface agitation is critical to keep the water highly oxygenated, which supports their energetic lifestyle and overall respiratory health.
- Risco de salto
- Yes
- Bala Sharks are notorious and highly powerful jumpers, capable of leaping out of the water when startled, during play, or when chasing food. Their large size and speed mean they can easily escape even small openings in the cover. A tight-fitting, heavy-duty lid or sliding glass covers are absolutely mandatory for any aquarium housing this species, and care should be taken to cover all potential gaps.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- Breeding Bala Sharks in the home aquarium is extremely rare and difficult, with almost all individuals in the aquarium trade being bred commercially using hormone injections. They are egg-scatterers that do not provide parental care, and they require very large, dedicated breeding tanks with specific water parameters to spawn naturally. Due to these requirements and the difficulty in sexing the fish, successful amateur breeding projects are virtually non-existent.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- With caution
- The cohabitation profile is a species to combine with caution, with a generally active temperament. Keep at least 5 individuals; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
- Nível do tanque
- Top/Middle
- This species is pelagic and primarily occupies the middle and upper levels of the water column, where they spend most of their time actively cruising. Because they are energetic and fast swimmers, they require vast amounts of open swimming space free of dense decorations or plants. Aquascaping should focus on placing rocks, driftwood, and plants along the sides and back of the tank, leaving the central and upper zones completely open for swimming.
Modelos e parâmetros científicos
FishBase
Acesso aos dados científicos oficiais da espécie
FishBase v25.04Dados sincronizados em: 15/06/2026
- Nível trófico
- 3 ± 0,38 se
- Resiliência
- Média (1,4 - 4,4 anos)
- Unicidade filogenética (PD50)
- 0.75
- Relação bayesiana comprimento-peso
- a = 0.00646, b = 3.09
- VulnerabilidadeVulnerabilidade de baixa a moderada (33 / 100)
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