Bala shark
Balantiocheilos melanopterus
35 cm
Adult size
1100 L
Minimum volume
5
Minimum group
15 years
Lifespan
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Balantiocheilos
- Diet
- omnivore
- Social life
- shoal
In the wild
Overview
Sold as “silver shark” or “bala shark”, this cyprinid owes its genus name to the pouch formed by its lower lip. Contrary to what is often read, it does not live in Indochina: it is limited to Borneo and Sumatra, and its populations have declined to the point that it is listed as vulnerable.
- Scientific name
- Balantiocheilos melanopterus (Bleeker, 1850)
- Classification
- Cypriniformes › Cyprinidae
- IUCN Red List
- Vulnerable (VU)
Natural habitat
Borneo, Sumatra and perhaps the Malay Peninsula
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
An open-water fish, it lives mainly in rivers, but also in natural lakes such as those of Danau Sentarum in Borneo.
Behaviour
Peaceful but very active, it eats very small fish and disturbs slow species. Sold young, it exceeds 30 cm: it needs a very large aquarium, in a group, with sturdy tankmates of the same size. Omnivorous, it accepts all foods.
Sources:FishBase Seriously Fish GBIF · Base map: Natural Earth