These should be avoided or closely monitored to ensure that your Bala Shark is safe with their tankmates. It is crucial to have a good water filtration system, and fish owners should try to leave these fish undisturbed during this time frame. However, this is not absolutely necessary, and many fish owners simply leave the bottom floor area clear for better viewing. Keep in mind, you’ll need other products for a breeding or quarantine set-up. Bala Sharks get their name from their visual similarity to the predatory sharks that roam the ocean. After the spawning and fertilization takes place, it is necessary to then remove the parent fish from the tank. Bala sharks are large fish that are typically sold when they are young and around 4 inches or 10 cm in length. 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.This species is not a true shark, but is commonly so called because of its torpedo-shaped body and large fins. The male Bala sharks grow larger than the females. It’s not always easy to care for sharks in freshwater aquariums, so consider building your next community around a group of stunning silver Bala Sharks. 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. Any ideas? Moreover, you cannot easily tell the gender of the Bala Shark. Share your thoughts on these silver shark-like carp in the comments below, or jump into our online community via social media! Updated May 13, 2020 Author: Mike - FishLore Admin Social Media: The Bala Shark is also known as the Silver Shark and is a growing favorite among tropical fish hobbyists. Although their name indicates a similarity to sharks, considered to be aggressive predators, these peaceful freshwater sharks get their name due to the similar body shape and higher, triangular-shaped dorsal fin. The Bala Shark is a great aquarium fish, but it does require additional consideration when it comes to keeping them. To avoid this scenario, always have several of them as they travel together in schools when in natural environments. The bala shark’s scientific name is Balantiocheilos melanopterus. They reach sexual maturity when they’re around 4-inches long and before they are fully grown. The water hardness is the last key piece of the puzzle when it comes to water levels. will bala sharks even eat other fish our two i think are trying to eat our fishes so im wondering if they do eat other fish what kinds will they eat?? These fish do not need special foods or supplements, and fish owners should simply strive to feed them a balanced diet for continued good health. Snails are also not a good choice for Bala Sharks. Bala Sharks are active and fun to observe, but they don’t like being alone.While sharks can be shy and prone to hiding … After the eggs are produced, the females will scatter them over the tank, so that the males can come and fertilize externally. The fish prefers clean rivers and streams with fast water flow, since slow flows are not for it. Sadly, bala shark has become extinct in lots of its natural habitats. You’ll probably want to invest in a high-quality gravel vacuum/hose system, since you’ll be removing and replacing hundreds of gallons of water a year. Bala Shark, Silver Shark, Tri-Color Minnow, Sharkminnow(Balantiocheilus melanopterus), Omnivore; consumes algae and plant materials, along with live insects, larvae, crustaceans, and eggs/fry, Commercial omnivore flake or pellets supplemented with live/frozen/dried treats like brine shrimp or bloodworms, Very active and social once acclimated but may be shy initially. Like we mentioned above, there are certain water conditions that you’ll need to provide if you want your Bala Shark to thrive and live a long and healthy life. This fish’s laid back and calmer temperament makes it an ideal tank mate with many other species of fish. Within 24 hours, small larvae can begin to be visible. There are many different types of aquarium catfish out there. The bala shark or shark minnow reaches sizes up to 14 inches. It has to do with the size of the shark (female's are bigger) and the distance from Tail fin to the fin on it's underbelly. While sharks can be shy and prone to hiding at first, groups quickly acclimate as they play and socialize. It is a fish th… This can stress out smaller fish that tend to move less. Sharks are sensitive to toxins like ammonia and prefer very clean and highly oxygenated water with plenty of flow in the center region: The best decor for a shark tank are piles of driftwood or bogwood, rocks, sticks and live plants, but it’s better to place them mostly along the edges of your tank and leave the center open. Overall, you should be feeding yours 3 times a day. They’re colored yellow, black and gray, and they can grow up to 12 inches, or 25-30 cm, in length making them relatively large for an aquarium fish. ... « 10 Best Bala Shark Tank Mates; You can easily accomplish this with a solid heater. So I have had my bala shark for almost 6 years now. If this is seen, the fish often has a parasitic or bacterial infection and should be treated. Jen has more than 30 years experience as a biologist, aquarist, and fishkeeper. The most common problems I’ve seen in Tricolor Sharks are bacterial, viral or fungal infections leading to fluid buildup (dropsy) and white spot disease (ich), which is caused by parasites. This fish is well known for its congenial manner, and they tend to do well living with many other different fish species. So, how to understand whether you buy female or male Bala Shark? Sexing the Bala Shark It is almost impossible to sex this species, the majority of the time there is no noticeable external differences between the two. They do not guard their eggs or fry. Sharks are usually the first species to show signs of ich, so if they are rubbing their scales on the decor you may have an outbreak. To breed your Bala Sharks, it is recommended that you determine the sex of the fish if possible. It also goes by the common names of silver shark and tri-color shark. Here’s a comprehensive list of the supplies and equipment you’ll need to start your shark tank. This fish has black and white stripes on its body. The bala shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus), also known as the tricolor shark, or the silver shark, is a large minnow, that unsurprisingly isn’t actually a shark. In fact, they’re one of the most popular…, Clown Loaches are one of the most popular freshwater fish in the aquarium scene. 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. For a healthy community of Bala Sharks, you’ll need to provide a spacious environment with great filtration and a moderate to strong current down the center of your tank: Sharks can reach over a foot in length and are very active in the middle of your aquarium, so they need at least 45-gallons per shark. Monitoring this helps to ensure that they are getting the right food portions. This is when they are around 4 months old. The male Bala sharks grow larger than the females. A Bala shark will become sexually mature when it is between 10 and 15 cm long Determining the gender of neon tetras is crucial, if you want to breed them. Convict fish are in the shape of an oval. It belongs in the Cyprinidae family. This fish isn't a shark … The Bala shark, Balantiocheilos melanopterus, is also known as Silver shark, Tricolor Shark and Tricolor sharkminnow. Lighting is important for a Bala Shark – you should add a freshwater aquarium lamp that provides eight to nine hours of light. Origin. Bala Sharks tend to spawn in the morning, and this process can take several hours. Ensure that the filter is on and operating. Your canister filter will likely prevent fertilization in your community tank. You can only see it when they grow up (male ones tend to grow larger, and the females have round), or … Tankarium is reader-supported. Making this a habit will help you provide better care for your Bala Sharks, and prevent you from having to deal with unwanted surprises. We’re always on the lookout for feedback and ways we can improve. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Silver Balas are a shoaling species. It’s not easy to distinguish individuals by gender, but males are a bit leaner and larger, while female fish have a rounded appearance.They reach sexual maturity when they’re around 4-inches long and before they are fully grown.. Social Behavior And Temperament . Posts: 14,961 Not really sexable by common hobbyists. 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