Silver shark

Care at a glance

Overview

These are social, fast-swimming fish that should be kept in a group of at least four or five, and they grow far too large for standard community tanks. They occupy the middle of the water column and are mostly peaceful, but small tankmates can end up as snacks. They are easy to feed and take flakes, pellets, and frozen foods. Keep soft to neutral, warm water with strong filtration.

In the wild

Silver sharks, also called bala sharks, come from large rivers and lakes in Borneo and Sumatra, where they swim in open, flowing water in big groups. That open-water life is the key point: they need length and swimming room, not caves. Plan on a very large tank of at least 360 liters with soft to neutral water and a temperature in the mid-20s C. A secure lid is a must because they jump.

Good to know

Despite the name, Balantiocheilus melanopterus is not a shark at all. It is a cyprinid, in the same family as barbs and minnows. It is a big fish, reaching around 40 cm, with a silver body and black-edged fins. There is no consistent record of it breeding in home aquariums; farmed stock is produced with hormones. Wild populations have declined sharply.

Did you know

Bala sharks are skittish and powerful enough that a sudden scare can send them slamming into the glass or leaping clear out of an open tank, which is exactly why a tight-fitting lid is non-negotiable.

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