Bala shark care

Water temperature

72–82°F

A bala shark wants water at 72–82°F, pH 6.5–7.5, and a tank of 125 gallons or bigger. Good tank mates include bichirs, plecos, black ghost knives.

Peaceful but grows over a foot. Will swallow small fish when big.

Balantiocheilos melanopterus

pH

6.5–7.5

Minimum tank

125 gal

Adult size

13.0 in

Temperament

Peaceful

Group

Groups of 4+

Lifespan

8–10 years

Swims at

Middle

Diet

Omnivore

Best tank mates

• BichirYes
• Common plecoYes
• Black ghost knifeYes
• OscarYes
• Elephant nose fishYes
• Rainbow sharkYes
• Red tail sharkYes
• Pictus catfishYes
• Yoyo loachYes
• Kissing gouramiYes
• Chinese algae eaterYes
• KoiYes

Full bala shark tank mate chart: 18 yes, 69 with care, 11 no

Bala shark water compared

Fish to keep away from bala sharks

• Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); bala sharks need 72–82°F. No temperature suits both.
• Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); bala sharks need 72–82°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
• Cherry shrimp A bala shark is big enough to swallow adult cherry shrimp.
• Jack Dempsey Jack dempseys are aggressive and will bully peaceful bala sharks.
• Bamboo shrimp A bala shark is big enough to swallow adult bamboo shrimp.
• Ghost shrimp A bala shark is big enough to swallow adult ghost shrimp.
• Amano shrimp A bala shark is big enough to swallow adult amano shrimp.
• Silver arowana An adult silver arowana eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 13 inches bala sharks do.

More barbs, danios, rasboras and sharks

• Goldfish60–74°F
• Koi59–77°F
• Tiger barb72–81°F
• Red tail shark72–79°F
• Rainbow shark72–80°F
• Celestial pearl danio72–79°F
• Zebra danio65–77°F
• Fancy goldfish65–74°F