Fishician®Diet
Omnivore – flake food, pellets, frozen bloodworms, vegetables
Aquarium species profile
Bala Shark
Balantiocheilos melanopterus · Southeast Asia (Borneo, Sumatra, Malay Peninsula)
Minimum tank150 gal
Adult size12–14"
Care levelModerate
TemperamentPeaceful
Temperature72–82°F
pH range6.0–8.0
Compatible tank mates
Larger peaceful fish; Silver Dollars, Tinfoil Barbs, larger tetras, Plecos
Tank mates to avoid
Very small fish (may be eaten), aggressive fish
Care notes
Not a true shark; a cyprinid. Schooling fish; keep 4+. Grows much larger than pet store size. Excellent jumpers; tight lid required.
Check the whole aquarium. Tank size alone does not establish compatibility. Confirm adult size, water overlap, social grouping, territory, diet, and the individual animals before stocking.