Bala shark
Bala shark | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Cypriniformes |
Family: | Cyprinidae |
Subfamily: | Barbinae |
Genus: | Balantiocheilos |
Species: | B. melanopterus
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Binomial name | |
Balantiocheilos melanopterus (Bleeker, 1850)
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Synonyms | |
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The bala shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus), also known as the tricolor shark, tricolor sharkminnow, silver shark, or shark minnow, is a fish of the
Distribution
The bala shark occurs in the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo.[3][4] Previous records further north in the Mekong and Chao Phraya River is due to confusion with the recently described and possibly extinct B. ambusticauda (although the presence of any Balantiocheilos in the Mekong is questionable).[4]
Appearance and anatomy
These fish have a silver body with black margins on their
Habitat and ecology
Bala sharks are found in midwater depths in large and medium-sized rivers and lakes. They feed on phytoplankton, but mostly on small crustaceans, rotifers, and insects and their larvae.[3]
In the aquarium
Tank size | 500 litres (125 gallons) |
Water temperature | 22–28 °C (71.6-82.4 °F) |
Water salinity | Freshwater (0 ppt) |
Temperament | Peaceful, schooling and timid when young, best kept in groups of at least 3 |
Diet | Omnivorous |
Water hardness |
5–12 °dH |
pH | 6–8 |
Large numbers of B. melanopterus are exported for the aquarium trade from Thailand, having been bred in captivity.[6] Bala sharks are misunderstood aquarium fish.[7] These fish are generally peaceful and good companions to many other types of tropical fish.[7] Bala sharks are widely available in most pet stores, but will grow to a size too large for the home aquarium.[7]
They are a hardy fish that will tolerate temperature changes,
Very young bala sharks are sometimes kept in small aquaria. However, given their adult size, schooling behavior, and swimming speed, the fish quickly grow to need much more room. Hobbyists continue to debate over acceptable minimum tank sizes, but generally recommend at least a 2-meter tank. FishBase lists a minimum of 150 cm (5 ft).[3] Many believe the fish is simply too large and too active to be kept in residential aquaria at all; only enormous, custom-built tanks are acceptable, if any tank at all is. Indoor ponds are also considered feasible housing options and may be better suited to the average aquarist.[8]
Conservation
Balantiocheilo melanopterus is listed as a
References
- ^ . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ INFOFISH International. University of California. 2007. p. 70.
- ^ a b c d e f g Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2007). "Balantiocheilos melanopterus" in FishBase. Apr 2007 version.
- ^ doi:10.11646/zootaxa.1463.1.2. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2007-09-27.
- ^ "aquarium". aquariumsource. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
- . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ ISBN 0-87666-543-1.
- ^ "Bala Shark Care Guide". Tankquarium. 5 March 2021.