What is the average lifespan a bala shark?
Under favorable conditions, the average life span of a healthy Bala Shark is about 8-10 years. What are the characteristic appearance and features of a Bala Shark? The Bala Shark has a distinctively large standing dorsal fin and an elongated torpedo-like body having yellow stripes with black edges.
What is a good size tank for a bala shark?
- Scientific Name: Balantiocheilos melanopterus
- Common Names: Bala Shark, Silver Shark, Tri Color Shark Minnow, Hangus, Silver Bala
- Care Level: Easy to medium, needs lots of swimming space and a larger tank.
- Size: Up to 13 inches
- Lifespan: 8-10 years
How long does a bala shark grow maximum?
They have big eyes to find and catch their prey. The bala shark will grow to a maximum length of 35 cm (14 in). Bala sharks are found in midwater depths in large and medium-sized rivers and lakes. They feed on phytoplankton, but mostly on small crustaceans, rotifers, and insects and their larvae.
Are Bala sharks actual sharks?
The Bala Shark is also known as the Silver Shark and is becoming much popular among fish hobbyists. Bala sharks are freshwater species of Southeast Asia. These sharks are not actual sharks and were named for them due to their torpedo-shaped bodies and rigid fins.
How long does it take for bala sharks to grow to full size?
Bala Sharks grow to full size rather quickly. The rate at which they grow largely depends on how well they are kept. They can grow at a rate of up to 4 inches per month, but they reach full maturity and are able to spawn at around 4 inches in length.
How big of a tank do bala sharks need?
Bala Shark Habitat and Care An aquarium of 125 gallons is needed to keep a school of adult bala sharks, and since they are active swimmers, a longer tank is recommended. These are active fish that startle easily.
How big will a Bala Shark get in a 75 gallon tank?
4 feetThe largest specimens of this species can reach a length of 4 feet and a weight of 96 pounds. That is the length of a 55- to 75-gallon tank and the weight of a small human packed into a torpedo-shaped, well-muscled fish.
How many bala sharks should I keep together?
5 Bala SharksMost fish breeders recommend that at least 5 Bala Sharks be kept together during the breeding process to ensure that there is both male and female fish in the holding tank. It is crucial to give the fish enough space and room to swim during this process.
Can you have just 1 bala shark?
Bala Shark Tank Size So they easily can grow into enormous tank busters. Plus, you shouldn't keep just one Bala shark in a tank, they need to be in a school of five or more. The minimum tank size for this fish, especially if you want to keep other fish with them, is 150 gallons (568 liters).
Can I keep 1 bala shark?
Keeping Bala Shark Together Bala Sharks are natural schooling fish so they must be kept in groups of at least 4. Around 6 kept together will work best. Generally these fish are peaceful but a lonely Bala Shark can become aggressive towards other fish and extremely stressed.
How many bala sharks can you put in a 55 gallon tank?
55-gallon Tanks = 2, but not recommended, as they should be kept in a school of 3 or more. 125-gallon Tanks = 3-4, this is the ideal tank size for a small school. The bigger the tank the better.
How many bala sharks are in a 125 gallon tank?
How Many Bala Shark in 125 Gallons. If you are housing a Bala shark, you can keep around 5 fish in one tank.
Can a bala shark live in a 10 gallon tank?
In addition, they are aggressive, new-world cichlids best housed with similar large species, or in species-only tanks. If you want angelfish, consider a tank 55 gallons or bigger. Bala sharks are fine when they are small, but they grow much too big for all but the largest aquariums.
What fish do Bala sharks get along with?
Discus fish originate from the Amazon, making them ideal tankmates for Bala Sharks. They require warm waters and a PH between 6 to 7. They love to forage for food, so you should use a soft substrate to protect their bodies. Discus can reach 8 to 10 inches, and one fish needs at least seven gallons.
Are bala shark aggressive?
Bala sharks are peaceful fish that can be housed with other medium-to-large, peaceful fish. Don't house them with aggressive or carnivorous fish like neon tetras. Don't add non-fish species like shrimps and crabs to a bala shark tank, because they are known to eat crustaceans.
Can I put Bala sharks with cichlids?
Are Bala Sharks Compatible with Cichlids? Bala sharks are compatible with most cichlid species, such as angelfish and discus fish, but incompatible with more aggressive cichlid species like Oscars and African cichlids.
Can I keep a bala shark in a 10 gallon tank?
We have people asking us “how many Bala sharks in a 10-gallon tank? The answer here is none, not a single one. Each Bala Shark requires 26 gallons of water and they should be kept in groups 3 – 4 as they are schooling fish thus a tank size of 100 gallons+ is recommended.
How many Bala Sharks are in a 125 gallon tank?
How Many Bala Shark in 125 Gallons. If you are housing a Bala shark, you can keep around 5 fish in one tank.
Will a shark only grow 8 inches in a fish tank?
Nope, it's not like that , a shark will grow not more than 8 inches if you put it into a tank and the same shark will grow 8 feet in the ocean . The shark will never outgrow its environment and the same is true about you. Our growth and progress of life depends upon our environment and surroundings.
Are Bala Sharks good community fish?
The Bala shark is known for its peaceful nature that makes it compatible with a host of other peaceful aquarium inhabitants.
How big do bala sharks get?
In the wild Bala Sharks can grow up to 14 inches, but in the aquarium they tend to grow slightly smaller, and reach around 12 inches in length.
Where can I find silver bala sharks?
The Bala Shark ( Balantiocheilus melanopterus) is a member of the Cyprinidae family and is found in fast flowing rivers across Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Sumatra and Kalimantan. They’re also commonly known as Silver Bala, Silver Shark, Tricolor Shark and Tri Color Minnows.
What fish are good tank mates for a Bala Shark?
Other Bala Sharks, Corydoras, Rainbowfish, Gourami, Rasbora, Char (Salvelinus), Tetra , Minor Tetra would make good tank mates. When choosing tank mates for this fish, the most important things to keep in mind are size and temperament. Other large Cyprinids are also good tank mate choices, but start off by placing only Bala Sharks together ...
How to keep bala fish from jumping out?
Even though Bala are considered peaceful, they are still very active fish. Place a lid on top of your tank to stop them from jumping out. It is especially recommended to have a lid on during their settling-in period for the first few weeks.
How old should a bala fish be before breeding?
Before they start breeding, you’d need to prepare the fish for it, before puberty. Take several young Balas (around 4 months old) and keep them in a separate tank. Telling the sex of a fish is a bit challenging, that’s why it’s recommended to keep at least 5 of them together.
Where is Bala Shark from?
January 24, 2019 Robert Freshwater Fish 15. The Bala Shark is a relatively large freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia. This beautiful looking fish would make a great addition to plenty of freshwater aquariums and its temperament is guaranteed to make it a great tank mate for your other fish. Due to its size, we recommend ...
How thick should a bala be?
The ideal thickness of the substrate would be around 1 cm, the closest thing to their natural environment would be dark colored pebbles of different sizes. Even though Bala are considered peaceful, they are still very active fish. Place a lid on top of your tank to stop them from jumping out.
How big do Bala sharks get?
They have big eyes to find and catch their prey. The bala shark will grow to a maximum length of 35 cm (14 in).
What is the bala shark?
( Bleeker, 1850) Synonyms. Barbus melanopterus Bleeker, 1850. The bala shark, Balantiocheilos melanopterus, also known as the tricolor shark, tricolor sharkminnow, silver shark, or shark minnow, is a fish of the family Cyprinidae, and is one of the two species in the genus Balantiocheilos.
How hard is water for bala sharks?
The preferable water hardness for this species is soft to medium (5.0–12.0 dGH ). Water temperature should be kept between 22–28 °C (72–82 °F). The bala shark prefers to be kept in groups of two or more specimens. It requires a covered aquarium as it is a skilled jumper, but may injure itself on the lid of the tank.
How big of a tank do bala sharks need?
Hobbyists continue to debate over acceptable minimum tank sizes, but generally recommend at least a 2-meter tank. FishBase lists a minimum of 150 cm (5 ft). Many believe the fish is simply too large and too active to be kept in residential aquaria at all; only enormous, custom-built tanks are acceptable, if any tank at all is. Indoor ponds are also considered feasible housing options and may be better suited to the average aquarist.
Where do Bala sharks live?
The bala shark occurs in the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. Previous records further north in the Mekong and Chao Phraya River is due to confusion with the recently described and possibly extinct B. ambusticauda (although the presence of any Balantiocheilos in the Mekong is questionable).
Is a bala shark a good companion?
Bala sharks are misunderstood aquarium fish. These fish are generally peaceful and good companions to many other types of tropical fish . Bala sharks are widely available in most pet stores, but will grow to a size too large for the home aquarium.
Is B. melanopterus endangered?
Conservation. B. melanopterus is listed as a vulnerable species by the IUCN Red List. It has become rare or extinct in many river basins of its native range. In Danau Sentarum (Borneo), fishermen already reported in 1993 and 1995 that the populations have decreased dramatically after 1975, for no clear reason.
How Fast Do Bala Sharks Grow?
Do you think they could possibly grow as big as their peers? Like Great White Sharks, Tiger Sharks, or even Whale Sharks? The answer is no, they don’t. Yet, unlike aquarium fish, they could get huge yet remain enchanting like goldfish.
Wondering What to Feed Your Little Fin-tastic Bala?
If you’re considering having a Bala Shark as a pet, then you’re in luck! They can continue growing and live up to ten years if you provide them with a proper diet. Here’s everything you might need to know. Yet, their lifespan in the wild remains to be unknown.
Bala Shark Size in Their Natural Habitat
Wild Bala Sharks live all over Asia, usually around the Chao Praya and the Mekong basins. Their habitat is around the Malay Peninsula in Mainland Southeast Asia. They’re available in the wild in countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia.
Bala Shark Size in Captivity
Bala Sharks have gained popularity in aquariums due to their gentle and peaceful nature. This makes them the perfect breed to go with other cichlids in tanks.
Fun Facts
Here are some cool facts you didn’t know about this fascinating creature:
Final Thoughts
After knowing more about them, can you answer the following question: how fast do Bala Sharks grow?
Species Summary
Temperament and Activity Level
- These 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. These tend to be very active, and they make great home aquarium fish as they are interesting to watch. They’re such active fish that there’s a good chance they will jump from time to time. This is why having a lid on your tank is a smart id…
Bala Shark Size
- Since these fish are rare in their natural abodes, most of these fish are bought from fish farms. These tend to be just 3 to 4 inches when first bought, and fish owners are often surprised to learn that the adult size can be up to 1 foot or 13 inches. As these Bala Fish grow larger, they should be switched to larger sized aquariums. Additionally, t...
Care
- Most experts agree that Bala Shark care is relatively easy if the fish owner has some basic knowledge of fish care. These fish tend to remain healthy, but fish owners should be sure to keep their aquariums clean and the water level and temperature stable for best results. Bala Sharks can be somewhat vulnerable if their tank water becomes dirty or when the tank water level lowers. W…
What Are Good Tank Mates For Bala Sharks?
- This fish is well known for its congenial manner, and they tend to do well living with many other different fish species. Some great tank mates for Bala Sharks are: 1. Rainbowfish 2. Tetra 3. Rasbora 4. Gourami 5. Other Bala Sharks However, there is the chance that the Bala Shark will eat smaller fish when they become larger, so the tank should always be roomy enough for all. There …
How Do You Breed them?
- To breed your Bala Sharks, it is recommended that you determine the sex of the fish if possible. Females often have a slightly rounded belly area and body type. Males are typically a bit larger in size. It can be difficult to tell apart the sexes. When in captivity, the Bala Sharks only becomes able to reproduce when they are at least 3 years of age and at least 5 inches, or 13 cm, long. Fis…
Conclusion
- Bala Sharks are a rewarding and unique fish to keep in your aquarium. We hope that after reading this post you’ll have a better understanding of the fish in general, and the kind of care that you’ll need to provide. This information should be more than enough to give you an idea of if this is the right fish for you. Some aquarists decide they would rather go with something that doesn’t need …
Bala Shark Facts & Overview
Appearance & Behavior
Bala Shark Care & Tank Requirements
Tank Mates
Diet and Feeding
Breeding
- Breeding bala sharks is moderately difficult and best attempted by aquarists with fish-breeding experience. Bala sharks become sexually mature at around six months old, or when the fish have grown to four inches long. To breed bala sharks, follow these steps: 1. Place a group of five bala sharks in a separate 65-gallon breeding tank with a temperat...
Should You Get A Bala Shark For Your Aquarium?
Overview
Appearance and anatomy
These fish have a silver body with black margins on their dorsal, caudal, anal, and pelvic fins. They have big eyes to find and catch their prey. The bala shark will grow to a maximum length of 35 cm (14 in).
Distribution
Habitat and ecology
In the aquarium
Conservation