Bala shark
Balantiocheilos melanopterus
advanced careOverview
The bala shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus) is a sleek, silver, torpedo-shaped fish with black-edged fins that give it a shark-like profile. Peaceful, active and shoaling, it is one of the most misbought fish in the hobby: sold small and irresistible, it grows to 30 cm or more and needs a very large tank and a group. For keepers who can meet those demands it is a spectacular, fast-moving centrepiece — but it is emphatically not a standard community fish.
Tank & water
A shoal of five adults needs a very large tank of at least 450 litres (120 gallons) with a long footprint for high-speed swimming. Hold 24–28 °C with a powerful filter and strong flow on well-cycled water.
- Length and volume: these are fast, athletic swimmers that need room to move.
- A tight lid: bala sharks are powerful, nervous jumpers — a secure cover is essential.
- Open layout: keep decor to the edges so they have clear swimming lanes.
Feeding
As omnivores, bala sharks are enthusiastic, unfussy eaters. Feed a staple of quality flakes and pellets, with frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and some vegetable matter for variety. See our best fish food picks and the fish food hub. Their size and activity mean a healthy appetite, so feed generously while keeping the large water volume clean.
Tankmates
Peaceful and shoaling, bala sharks suit large communities of other big, robust fish — sizeable rainbowfish, peaceful cichlids such as the severum, larger barbs and big catfish. Keep them in fives or more. Avoid small fish and shrimp, which adults will eat, and skip aggressive tankmates that could bully these nervous swimmers.
Frequently asked questions
The bala shark is a fast, silver, peaceful shoaler that demands honesty about its adult size. Give it a very large tank, a group of five or more and a secure lid, and it becomes a breathtaking display fish — but never buy it for a small tank.
Bala shark — frequently asked questions
How big do bala sharks really get?
Very big — 30 cm or more, and they grow fast. They are sold as cute silver juveniles, but a shoal of adults needs an enormous tank, realistically 450 litres and up with a long footprint. Buying them for a standard community tank is one of the most common stocking mistakes in the hobby.
Do bala sharks need to be in a group?
Yes. Bala sharks are shoaling fish that become nervous, stressed and skittish when kept alone or in small numbers, which makes their jumping worse. Keep at least five — which, given their size, is exactly why they need such a large tank.
Are bala sharks aggressive?
No — they are genuinely peaceful despite the 'shark' name and large size. The catch is that adults will eat small fish and shrimp simply because they fit in their mouths, and their fast, nervous swimming can unsettle timid tankmates. They are gentle giants, not predators of anything their own size.
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