Black Sharkminnow
Labeo chrysophekadion
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 60 cm
- Minimum tank
- 2430 litres
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C
Species profile
Bala Shark
Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Common names: Bala Shark, Silver Shark, Tricolor Shark
Recognized speciesSharks
Adult size
Up to 35 cm
Up to 35 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A peaceful community tank with similar-sized fish
- A keeper with room for a large aquarium
- A mature, stable aquarium
Think carefully if
- You only want to keep one or two, because this fish needs a group of 5 or more
- You cannot provide about 864 litres for a fully grown fish
- Your tank is newly set up
- You keep shrimp you want to protect
A sleek, silver fish with black-edged fins, sold small but reaching about 35 cm. Keep a group of at least 5 in 864 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A sleek, silver fish with black-edged fins, sold small but reaching about 35 cm. It needs a tank over 2 metres long, a group, a heavy lid and strong flow, so few home aquariums can house it.
Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.
Females are usually rounder.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 3,460–4,320 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 875–1300 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 864 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 240 cm
- Minimum group size
- 5
- Recommended group size
- 8
- 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.
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
- Indonesia, Malaysia, Southeast Asia
- Natural habitat
- Lake, River
- Aquarium contexts
- Large Freshwater Aquarium, Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Specialist
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Balantiocheilos
- Family
- Cyprinidae
- Species group
- Fish, Sharks
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- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 90 cm
- Minimum tank
- 5760 litres
- Temperature
- 15.5–21 °C
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- Care level
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- Adult size
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 243 litres
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C
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- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 12.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 243 litres
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C