Bala Shark
Balantiocheilos melanopterus
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 35 cm
- Minimum tank
- 864 litres
- Temperature
- 20–28 °C
Species profile
Albino Rainbow Shark
Epalzeorhynchos Frenatum var. "Albino"
Common names: Albino Rainbow Shark, Whitefin Shark, Whitetail Sharkminnow, Rainbow Shark
Colour varietySharks
Adult size
Up to 15 cm
Up to 15 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A mature, stable aquarium
Think carefully if
- You cannot provide about 243 litres for a fully grown fish
- Your tank is newly set up
- You keep shrimp you want to protect
A white albino form of the Rainbow Shark, with red eyes and bright red fins. Keep alone or in a small group in 243 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A white albino form of the Rainbow Shark, with red eyes and bright red fins. It is just as territorial as the normal fish, so keep just one.
Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.
Females are usually rounder.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 970–1,220 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 250–375 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 243 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 120 cm
- Minimum group size
- 1
- Recommended group size
- 1
- Activity level
- Active
- Flow preference
- Moderate
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Moderate
Allow plenty of swimming length, with a tight lid, because these fish jump. Caves and wood help break up territories.
Behaviour and Tankmates
An active, fast swimmer, despite its small size compared with true sharks, and it is not related to them.
See the notes for this species, as some need a group while others are best alone.
Bottom-dwelling species can be territorial with their own kind and similar fish.
Keep with robust fish of a similar size that stay higher in the water. It is likely to eat shrimp. Choose its tankmates with care.
Water Parameters
Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable.
Parameter caveat
Add this fish only to a mature, fully cycled tank, and keep up regular water changes.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Quality pellets or flakeA good staple. Choose a size that fits its mouth.
- Frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimpOffer several times a week for colour and condition.
- Algae or vegetable-based foodInclude some plant matter for balance.
An omnivore that takes prepared foods, algae and small frozen foods.
Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.
Breeding
- Breeding difficulty
- Not commonly bred
- Parental care
- Unknown
Little has been recorded about breeding this fish in aquariums.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Cambodia, Captive Bred, Laos, Southeast Asia, Thailand
- Natural habitat
- Floodplain, Freshwater Stream, River, Rocky Shoreline
- Aquarium contexts
- Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Intermediate
Classification
- Profile type
- Colour variety
- Genus
- Epalzeorhynchos
- Family
- Cyprinidae
- Species group
- Fish, Sharks
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Black Sharkminnow
Labeo chrysophekadion
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 60 cm
- Minimum tank
- 2430 litres
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C
Chinese High Fin Banded Shark
Myxocyprinus asiaticus
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 90 cm
- Minimum tank
- 5760 litres
- Temperature
- 15.5–21 °C
Rainbow Shark
Epalzeorhynchos frenatum
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 243 litres
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C