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Photo of: Bala Shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus)
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Scientific Name(s): Balantiocheilos melanopterus, Barbus melanopterus, Puntius melanopterus
Common Name(s): Bala Shark, Silver Shark, Tricolor Shark
Family: Cyprinidae
Species Type: Cyprinids
Maximum Size: 14 inches
Life Span: 10 years
Natural Habitat: Asian Rivers
Minimum Tank Size: 120 gallons
Tank Region: All over
Possible Tank Mates: Danios, Guppies, Swordtails and Corydoras
Description: Bala Sharks require a large aquarium with driftwood, rocks, and spots of dense vegetation. This Cyprinid does best in small groups of 3 or more, as they prefer to school in the aquarium. Feed with flakes or worms. Very large tanks are recommended. Easy to keep. A heavy cover on the tank is much needed, as Bala Sharks can jump up to six feet in the air!
Temperature Range 72°F - 82°F
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| 60°F |
65°F |
70°F |
75°F |
80°F |
85°F |
90°F |
| pH 5.0 |
pH 6.0 |
pH 7.0 |
pH 8.0 |
pH 9.0 |
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Diet: Carnivorous - does well with flake or pellet foods supplimented with worms and live snails.
Temperment: Schooling; Usually peaceful and passive but will violently attack invertabrates, such as ghost shrimp and snails as they make up a major part of its diet in the wild. The greater number of sharks in the school the bolder they will be; single specimens are extremely timid.
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African Catfish
