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Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Silver shark, Bala shark, Tricolor Shark, Tricolor sharkminnow
(Bleeker, 1851)

Balantiocheilos melanopterus - Silver shark, Bala shark, Tricolor Shark, Tricolor sharkminnow - This species is too big for most home aquariums
This species is too big for most home aquariums
more images here

(Other members of the genus Balantiocheilos)

ADULT SIZE: 35 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Not critical

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 23-27 C

FOOD: Feed Balantiocheilos melanopterus live and dried foods

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from Borneo, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia

AQUARIUM CARE: A lively shoaling species from Sumatra that does well in large tanks. This species is too large for most home aquariums. In larger quarters, it makes a good tank mate for large catfish, and anabantids. This fish can be startled easily, and may attempt to jump in such cases. Keep tanks covered!

Have you bred Balantiocheilos melanopterus? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?, or examine existing Balantiocheilos melanopterus breeding reports

Similar species to Balantiocheilos melanopterus

Other members of the genus Balantiocheilos

Other cyprinid species

Other species from Borneo, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia

Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Silver shark, Bala shark, Tricolor Shark, Tricolor sharkminnow

This species is too big for most home aquariums

This species is too big for most home aquariums

These fish are very quick swimmers, coming from fast flowing rivers in South East Asia

These fish are very quick swimmers, coming from fast flowing rivers in South East Asia

The Silver Shark, is also known as the tricolor shark, shark minnow and Bala shark

The Silver Shark, is also known as the tricolor shark, shark minnow and Bala shark

Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Silver shark, Bala shark, Tricolor Shark, Tricolor sharkminnow
breeding notes

BREEDING:

Have you bred Balantiocheilos melanopterus? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?

This page summarises breeding reports provided by visitors to this site, along with some statistical analysis. Please feel free to contribute - whatever your experience!

1 breeder has filled in a breeding report, a summary of which is shown in the graphs below. You can read the full reports here.

To add details of your experiences of Balantiocheilos melanopterus, why not fill in a Breeding and maintenance Report.

Would Balantiocheilos melanopterus be a good addition to a community tank?
graph1
  1. Never
  2. Doubtful, only with VERY calm fish
  3. Only with species of similar size
  4. Yes, a good community fish
How would you describe the disposition of Balantiocheilos melanopterus?
graph2
  1. Very timid
  2. Slightly timid
  3. Neutral
  4. Somewhat aggresive on occasions
  5. Very aggressive


Remember, each record represents only one persons experience; if you had different results, or used different methods, please share your experiences

Water conditions: Water temperature:
Disposition: Somewhat aggresive on occasions Community tank?: Only with species of similar size
Spawning Method: Breeding problems: none
Sex ratio: Breeding difficulty:
Sucess: Years Experience: 1
Other Comments: I WOULD LIKE TO BREED MY BALA SHARKS NO ONE WILL TELL ME THE DIFFERENTS BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE I HAVE 3 ONLY 1 CHASES THEOTHERS KATLUVER10@JUNO.COM
Date this record created: 30th August 2008Breeding date: 2008
Breeder: Location:

Fishkeeping Facts and Tips

Great first fish! Livebearers are unlike other fish in that they do not lay eggs; the young develop inside the mother and when born are significantly larger than the offspring of similarly sized egglayers. Species such as the guppy, platy and swordtail are incredibly prolific and are some of the best known, and most colouful aquarium species


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