TankBud

Silver shark

Balantiocheilos melanopterus

Also known as Bala shark, Balantiocheilus melanopterus

FreshwaterFish

Silver shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus)
H. Zell · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
15.7 in
40 cm
Minimum tank
227 gal
860 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Family
Cyprinidae
Origin
Borneo, Sumatra

Overview

The silver shark is a big, fast-swimming fish that holds the middle of the water column. It is easy to keep, but it grows far too large for a standard community tank.

Did you know

Despite the name, the silver shark is not a shark at all. It is a cyprinid, in the same family as barbs and minnows.

Caring for the silver shark

Plan on a very large tank of at least 227 gal (860 L) for silver sharks. They live in open water, so they need length and swimming room rather than caves. Keep a tight-fitting lid on the tank. These fish are skittish and powerful, and a sudden scare can send them slamming into the glass or leaping out.

Keep the water soft to neutral and warm, at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Run strong filtration. They are easy to feed and take flakes, pellets and frozen foods.

Silver sharks are social, fast swimmers and do fine alone or in a group. If you keep a group, make it at least four or five fish. They are mostly peaceful, but small tank mates can end up as snacks, so choose their company with caution.

There is no consistent record of silver sharks breeding in home aquariums. Farmed stock is produced with hormones.

Good to know

The silver shark is also called the bala shark. It has a silver body with black-edged fins, and its wild populations have declined sharply.

In the wild

Silver sharks come from large rivers and lakes in Borneo and Sumatra. There they swim in big groups through open, flowing water.

From published sources

Tank mates

Each fish here is named as a tank mate for the silver shark by at least two published care guides. Silver sharks need a group of five or more and, as adults, a tank of about 230 gallons (860 liters).

Sources: Seriously Fish, TropicalFreshwaterFish, Aquatic Arts, Aquarium Source, Fishkeeping World, FishLab, Tankarium.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a silver shark need?

A silver shark needs at least 227 gal (860 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a silver shark need?

A silver shark is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a silver shark eat?

A silver shark is easy to feed and takes flakes, pellets and frozen foods.

How big does a silver shark get?

An adult silver shark reaches about 15.7 in (40 cm).

How does a silver shark breed?

Silver sharks have no consistent record of breeding in home aquariums. Fish farms produce their stock with hormones.

What fish can live with the silver shark?

Published care guides name pearl gourami, three spot gourami, clown loach and Boeseman's rainbowfish, among others. Silver sharks need a group of five or more and, as adults, a tank of about 230 gallons (860 liters).

Related species