Last Updated on March 14, 2024 by Aftab Tariq
Bala sharks are a popular type of tropical aquarium fish around the world. People find them fascinating and often want to have them in their aquariums. However, taking care of them can be challenging, especially for beginners. Dr Richmond says,
“A true marvel of nature, the bala shark embodies grace and power in its movements.”
Bala sharks are sensitive to changes in water quality and temperature. They can live for a long time and be kept in smaller aquariums, but they’re happiest in groups and not aggressive toward each other. They can make a beautiful addition to any aquarium.Â
Many aquarium owners like huge freshwater bala sharks. In this tutorial, we’ll cover their care and what to know before buying them for your aquarium. After reading this, you’ll know if bala sharks are right for you.
Origin Of Bala Shark
The Bala shark, known as “The Gentle Giant,” originates from Southeast Asia. It’s admired for its large size and relaxed nature, making it a great choice for freshwater aquariums if you have some experience with fishkeeping.
This fish gets along well with many other species due to its calm temperament and relatively easy to care for. Belonging to the Cyprinidae family, scientifically known as Balantiocheilus melanopterus, they are commonly found in fast flowing rivers and streams in countries like Sumatra, Kalimantan, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
What Are Other Names Of Bala Sharks?
Bala sharks are called by different names in their native habitats, such as Tricolor Shark, Silver Bala, Silver Shark, and Tri Color Minnows, because of their distinct colours and markings. Despite their name, they are not aggressive like oceanic sharks. They are peaceful freshwater fish.
Their name comes from their body shape and dorsal fin, which resemble those of sharks, even though they don’t share any other traits or behaviours with saltwater sharks. Bala sharks are currently rare or extinct in many freshwater environments.
Bala Shark Lifespan
Bala sharks are typically yellow, black, and grey and can reach lengths of up to 12 inches or 25 30 cm, which is quite big for an aquarium fish. With proper care, they can live up to 10 years.
Temperament And Activity Level Of Bala Shark
Bala sharks are friendly fish that enjoy being in groups, mimicking their behaviour in the wild, where they swim together. It’s best to get several Bala sharks at once because they like the company. They’re quite active and make an interesting addition to home aquariums.
They are so lively that sometimes they might jump out of the tank, so having a secure lid is important. To keep them happy, it’s a good idea to provide hiding spots in the aquarium to rest when they’re tired of swimming. Plants and roots can serve as suitable hiding spots.
Since Bala sharks can grow quite large, they may eat a lot of food, especially if they’re kept with smaller fish, who struggle to compete for food; although they’re not generally aggressive, they may eat smaller, smoother fish as they grow. However, they usually get along well with many other types of freshwater fish.
Care Of Bala Shark
Caring for a bala shark is easy if you know a bit about fish care. Their tank must be kept clean, and the water should be kept at the correct temperature. Bala sharks can get sick if their water is dirty or if the water level drops. When you first put them in a new tank, give them about a month to get used to it. It’s best not to bother them too much during this time.
These fish need good food to stay healthy. If they eat bad food, they can become malnourished and get sick more easily. So, it is essential to give them the right food that suits their size and type. This helps them live longer and stay healthy.
Bala Shark Size
Bala sharks are often found in fish farms because they’re not common in their natural homes. It might only be about 3 to 4 inches long when you first get one. These fish can grow as big as 1 foot or 13 inches when they’re all grown up.
As these Bala Fish get bigger, they need more space. So, you’ll have to move them to a bigger tank. Also, watch them as they grow to ensure they get along with any smaller fish in the tank.
Bala Shark Tank Size
People who keep fish in aquariums sometimes argue about the best tank size for Bala Sharks. They often suggest a tank that holds between 120 and 150 gallons of water. That’s quite a big tank!
If you have more Bala Sharks, you’ll need even more space for them to swim around. To be safe, starting with a tank that’s at least on the bigger side of this range is a good idea.
Bala Shark Tank Size For 1
Bala sharks can grow up to 12 inches (30.5 cm) in a tank. They’re usually only about 3 inches (7.6 cm) long when you first get them. At this size, they can live comfortably in a tank that holds at least 30 gallons (114 litres) and is about 30 inches (76.2 cm) long.
Bala Shark Tank Mates
Bala sharks can get along well with angelfish in a tank. When choosing bala shark tank mates, it’s important to pick large, energetic fish that can handle a bit of aggression, especially during feeding. The tank size should be big enough to support a group of bala sharks and their tank mates.
Good Tank Mates For Bala Sharks
Bala Sharks are known for being friendly and usually get along well with many other types of fish. Some good tank mates for Bala Sharks include:
- Rainbowfish
- Tetra
- Rasbora
- Gourami
- Other Bala Sharks
However, as Bala Sharks grow, they might see smaller fish as snacks, so having a big tank for everyone is important.
Smaller fish, like neon tetra, guppies, and harlequin rasbora, could be better tank mates for Bala Sharks. Always check if a smaller fish is suitable before adding it to the tank.
Bala Sharks are active swimmers and can stress out smaller, less active fish. Please ensure there are hiding spots in the tank so they feel safe.
When kept alone, Bala Sharks may become more aggressive. It’s best to keep them in groups as they like to swim together in school. Be cautious of larger predator fish like cichlids, as they might harm Bala Sharks. Also, snails aren’t good tank mates because Bala Sharks might eat them.
Water Conditions For Bala Sharks
Ensure their water is just right to keep your Bala Shark healthy and happy. First, the water temperature should be around 77°F, which you can manage easily with a good heater. Also, monitor the pH levels – they should be between 6.5 and 8. Going outside this range can make your Bala Shark sick.
Aim to keep it around 7 for safety. Water hardness is also important, with the ideal range being 10 to 13 on the dGH scale. You can check all these levels with a thermometer and a simple water testing kit. Monitoring them regularly will help you take better care of your Bala Sharks and avoid unexpected issues.
Lighting For Bala Sharks
When it comes to lighting, Bala Sharks are fine. They don’t need anything fancy. Just give them a basic freshwater lamp that you can get for cheap. Keep the light on for about eight hours daily to keep your fish happy and healthy.
Bala Shark Food
Bala Sharks eat insects, plants, and small creatures in the wild. But when they’re in an aquarium, they’ll happily munch on different types of fish food, both live and dried flakes.
Giving your Bala Sharks high quality dry fish food like pellets or flakes is a good idea. Some experts also like to mix things up and give them a more varied diet to mimic what they’d eat in nature. Adding plankton, bloodworms, or veggies can make them even healthier. Some fish owners even like to give them finely chopped spinach or fruits.
Because Bala Sharks can grow big, they need plenty of protein to stay strong. Consider adding foods like shrimp with lots of protein. Feed them three times a day, but just enough that they finish eating in about 2 to 3 minutes each time.
This helps make sure they get the right amount of food. You don’t need any special foods or supplements for your Bala Sharks. Just focus on giving them a balanced diet to keep them healthy and happy.
How Do You Breed Bala Sharks?
To breed Bala Sharks, first, it’s important to know if they’re male or female. Females usually have a slightly rounder belly, while males are bigger. It’s tricky to tell sometimes. These fish must be at least 3 years old and 5 inches long to breed.
When Bala Sharks are kept as pets, they usually don’t breed independently. Special hormone injections might be needed to help them breed. Before they’re ready to breed, they should be kept separate from each other when they’re about 4 months old.
Experts suggest keeping at least 5 Bala Sharks together during breeding. It’s crucial to give them plenty of space to swim; they like having plants and things to hide in.
When breeding, you need at least 65 gallons of tank with the water at 77 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use special nets to help see when they’re spawning, but it’s only sometimes necessary. Spawning usually happens in the morning and can take a few hours. After the female lays eggs, the male fertilizes them with milt.
Supporting The Procedure
During spawning, good tank water flow promotes breeding. This helps spread out the male’s fertilizing agent. After spawning, it’s best to switch to a single sponge filter to prevent the small fry from being sucked in.
Some breeders slowly increase the tank’s water temperature from 77 to 82 degrees to stimulate spawning. Once spawning and fertilization occur, the parent fish should be removed from the tank.
After a few hours, remove the unfertilized spawn and carefully replenish 30–50% of the water. Breeders advise adding antibiotics to tank water.
Small larvae may appear in 24 hours. Small fry should appear in 3–4 days if successful. These fry can be fed ciliates first, then Cyclops or Artemia nauplii. At varying speeds, the new Bala Sharks may need to be moved to other tanks to have enough area to grow and move.
Bala Shark Growth Rate
Bala sharks grow quickly. They can add 1 to 4 inches to their size every month. But, if they live in a small tank, they will grow smaller than they could. It’s vital to keep them in a big enough aquarium so they can reach their full size. This can be tricky because these fish like living together in a group.
Bala Shark Price
Bala sharks are affordable and easy to find in pet stores. Because many people want them, they’re priced reasonably in big chain stores, and you can find healthier ones in smaller family owned fish stores.
The price can change based on how big, healthy, and old the shark is. Smaller ones usually start at $1, while bigger and better quality ones can go up to $6. Before buying, it’s important to check the shark’s health. Since they’re sensitive, ask the store where they came from.
Health Problems Of Bala Shark
Smart Bala Shark care involves watching out for common fish health issues like dropsy, which causes swelling, and ich, identified by white spots on their scales. When these signs appear, your fish likely has a bacterial or parasitic infection and should be treated promptly.
If your bala shark is scratching against objects, it could be a sign of ich, indicating they’re itchy and uncomfortable. To ensure your bala shark stays healthy and content, experts recommend replacing about 25 to 35 per cent of the tank water each week.
Bala sharks are excellent additions to freshwater tanks. They can live up to 10 years with consistent care and attention, as they’re generally sturdy and resilient when kept in good condition.
Are Bala Sharks Aggressive?
Bala sharks are not aggressive; they are excellent additions to communal tanks. You should take into account their big adult size, though. They might consider smaller fish food but won’t actively pursue other species in your tank. Knifefish, plecos, and swordfish are excellent tank companions for bala sharks.
Can You Have 2 Bala Sharks Together?
There should always be at least three Bala Sharks together because if there are just two, they will fight; one will get dominant, and the other will eventually perish.
Excellent swimmers, bala sharks get along well with almost any other species. It would help if you didn’t combine Bala Sharks with anything much smaller because they are semi aggressive.
Conclusion
Bala sharks are cool fish to have in your fish tank. We hope you understand more about them and how to care for them by reading this.
This should help you decide if you want one. Some people prefer fish that don’t need a big tank, while others want a bala shark. Always put the fish’s needs first and give it some serious thought.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Bala Sharks Have Teeth?
No, Bala sharks don’t have teeth. But just because there is no bala shark teeth it doesn’t mean they can’t eat smaller tank mates.
How Big Will A Bala Shark Get?
Bala sharks can grow up to 35 cm (14 inches) in length.
Do Bala Sharks Eat Other Fish?
Baby bala sharks usually get along with lots of different fish because they’re pretty chill. But as they grow, they might start snacking on small fish, especially neon tetras.
Source
Bala Shark Fish Species Profile
I am a dedicated content writer with more than five years of experience, particularly skilled in the art of storytelling. My writing journey commenced during my college years, where I pursued journalism and unearthed my talent for creating captivating narratives.
