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.
How big do bala sharks usually get?
When you first see bala sharks in fish shops, they will be at around two inches in length. A full grown bala shark usually reaches 14 inches in length but can grow up to 25 inches in captivity. What Size Aquarium Bala Sharks Need?
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 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.
How long do bala sharks live?
The lifespan of a Bala Shark can be up to 10 years with the proper care. A member of the Cyprinidae family of fish species, they (Balantiocheilus melanopterus) prefer fast-flowing rivers and streams in the Southeastern Asia countries of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
How big do bala sharks get?
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.
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.
What is a bala shark?
Bala Sharks are a large and interesting freshwater fish that many aquarium owners consider at one point or another. And there are plenty of reasons why. In this guide, we explore the ins and outs of Bala Shark care and everything you should know if you’re thinking about adding them to your aquarium setup. By the time you’re finished reading, you’ll ...
Why do bala sharks have white spots?
Keeping an eye out for illness. 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. If this is seen, the fish often has a parasitic or bacterial infection and should be treated.
How old do bala sharks need to be to breed?
This means that the fish should be kept separated in another tank before they reach puberty. This is when they are around 4 months old.
How long does it take for a bala shark to spawn?
Bala Sharks tend to spawn in the morning, and this process can take several hours. After the female spawns, the male will then fertilize the spawned eggs with a substance called milt.
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?
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 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).
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 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.
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.
How long does it take for a bala shark to mature?
They do not reach sexual maturity until they have attained a length of 4 inches. So, for the average aquarists, the breeding of Bala sharks can be hard. To start keeping them, you will have to learn all the basics.
How Big do Bala Sharks Grow?
The shops sell the bala fish while still in the juvenile stage and therefore most buyers will not know how big the sharks can grow.
What to do When Bala Sharks Jumps out From Aquarium?
If you notice that any of your bala sharks have jumped out of the aquarium, you will have to act faster for it to survive. If the fish dries up, the jump from the tank will be fatal. On average, the fish will survive for up to 10 minutes outside the water and at the 10-minute mark, the chance of survival will be very low if you put him back to the water.
How to keep a bala shark from jumping?
To prevent jumping of the bala shark from the tank, you should maintain the right tank conditions – temperature, water hardness and PH. Ensure that the tank is large enough and cover the top.
How old should a balas shark be before breeding?
Before the breeding starts, you have to prepare the sharks adequately – do that before puberty. Take a few young balas – around 4 months old – and place them in one separate tank. Telling the sex of a balas shark can be a challenge, and that is the reason you have to keep at least five young fish together.
What temperature do bala sharks need?
The bala shark can tolerate a wide range of PH with a temperature level ranging between 74 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Try to maintain the PH within 6.5-7.8 range for the safety of the sharks. Use a vacuum siphon to clean any substrate resulting from excess food.
Why is a shark filtration system important?
And because the sharks will need more oxygen throughout the day, an effective filtration system will be important. A large canister will keep the water pristine and it is therefore important. It will provide the current your fish requires to move vigorously.
How Long do Bala Sharks Get?
Full-grown bala sharks can reach lengths of up to 14 inches in the wild! However, in captivity they often grow to fit their environment and usually don’t surpass 10 to 12 inches. Juveniles grow quickly – 2 to 4 inches in as little as a month – so they need a large tank right from the get-go! Since most bala sharks are farm-raised rather than wild-caught, they’re usually smaller (3 to 4 inches when first purchased).
Where do Bala sharks live?
The Bala or tricolor shark is a type of minnow native to the Borneo rivers systems in southeast Asia. Overfishing and natural disasters (wildfires destroying flowing waters) have rendered this species endangered. Yet, despite their conservation status, bala sharks remain popular among hobbyists in the aquarium trade. If you’re interested in keeping bala sharks, you may be wondering if they’re aggressive?
What Fish are Compatible with Bala Sharks?
Due to their friendly and peaceful demeanor, bala sharks get along well with a variety of freshwater fish species – knifefish, barbs, swordtails, loaches, and plecos just to name a few. Be aware, however, that bala sharks may eat tiny tankmates like guppies and tetras if they’re underfed. For this reason, you must ensure the aquarium has plenty of hiding places for smaller fish.
What Increases Bala Shark Aggression in Captivity?
As with most types of peaceful aquarium fish, some circumstances will trigger unusual aggressive behavior. In the case of bala sharks, illness and stress are the two main culprits. ‘Dropsy’ and ‘ich’ are common ailments and should be monitored. Treating these bacterial infections quickly and effectively is of the utmost importance.
What Water Conditions are Best for Bala Sharks?
As a type of tropical freshwater fish, they need a warmer aquatic environment with a temperature of 72- to 82-degrees Fahrenheit. The pH level should range between 6 and 8 with a soft to medium hardness factor of 5 to 12.
How Many Bala Sharks can be Kept Together?
Bala sharks should be kept together in small groups of 3 to 5. When alone in a community tank environment, they may become anxious and even hostile – especially when kept with other bigger, more aggressive fish. For balas to thrive in captivity, they need the company of others of their kind. Therefore, I wouldn’t recommended keeping just one at any time since they’re a type of schooling fish.
Why are bala sharks considered gentle giants?
To conclude, bala sharks are often referred to as ‘gentle giants’ by many freshwater aquarium hobbyists because of their peaceful demeanor and easy-going nature. Despite their larger size, bala sharks make great tankmates for many different species of freshwater aquarium fish. When kept together in small groups (rather than alone), they’re much more likely to remain calm and content in captivity.
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 …