Bala Shark, Balantiocheilus melanopterus

Subject: Bala Shark, Balantiocheilus melanopterus 1/7/2010, 9:40 pm

Bala Shark, Tricolor Shark, Silver Shark Balantiocheilus melanopterus

Physical description: A slender, elongated fish with a tall, erect dorsal fin and a forked caudal fin. The head is small and dominated in size by the eye. The body is dark gray with a silver iridescence. The rear parts of all fins, have wide, black edges. This species has a streamlined look.

Size/Length: To 16" in the wild. 10” in aquarium.

Habitat: Southeast Asia; in large rivers and streams of Borneo, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Thailand. The Bala is nearly extinct in the wild.

Aquarium: A tank of 30g minimum for young fish, and 100g required for adults.. These fish need large open swimming areas, and prefer long tanks. The tank should have well-planted corners and a tight-fitting cover, for these fish jump.

Water chemistry: pH 5.8-8 (7.0), 5-15 dH (7), 72-84°F.

Social behavior: An active fish that can be kept in a community tank with small to large fish. This species will not harm plants. They normally school in groups of five or more.

Suggested companions: Gouramis, Barbs, Danios, Rasboras, Loaches, Knifefish, tetras, Corydoras, Angelfish, livebearers, Loricarids. Cichlids.

FOOD: Live; Tubifex , crustaceans, insects; flakes; small pellets.

SEX: The females are fatter during spawning season.

Breeding techniques: Breeding has only been successful in large tanks of 100 or more gallons. Southeast Asian fish farmers use hormones to breed the Bala Shark, although little success has been reported in captivity.
Remarks: This active fish grows quickly and needs a large swimming area. The hardy Bala Shark is an excellent jumper that has been known to make audible clicking sounds

Bala Shark, Balantiocheilus melanopterus Shark-BalaShark-Bala

Bala Shark, Balantiocheilus melanopterus Shark-BalaShark-Bala

Special thanks to Mongabay.com , aquaticcommunity.com, and balashark.com. And special thanks to PetPig.com for picture.

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