Can bala sharks live with dwarf neon rainbowfish?

Verdict

Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Bala sharks and dwarf neon rainbowfish can share a tank, but watch one thing. At 13 inches a bala shark can swallow a small dwarf neon rainbowfish. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.

Bala shark72–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5

Dwarf neon rainbowfish75–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5

What to watch

Watch outAt 13 inches a bala shark can swallow a small dwarf neon rainbowfish. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Watch outBala sharks grow to 13 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for dwarf neon rainbowfish.

What works

Both are fine at 75–82°F.
pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.

Water side by side

The green band is the temperature range both can live in.

The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

	Bala shark	Dwarf neon rainbowfish
Temperature	72–82 °F	75–82 °F
pH	6.5–7.5	6.5–7.5
Adult size	13.0 in	2.5 in
Minimum tank	125 gal	20 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Peaceful
Swims at	Middle	Middle
Group	Groups of 4+	Groups of 6+
Diet	Omnivore	Omnivore