Bala shark care guide
Also called: Silver shark, Tricolor shark, Silver bala, Tricolor sharkminnow
The bala shark is a silver, torpedo-shaped minnow with black-edged fins, sold small but growing to about 12 inches (30 cm). It's peaceful, but it needs a school of five or more and a very large tank: about 230 gallons (871 L) and 8 ft (240 cm) long.
Bala sharks need a tank of at least 230 gallons (871 L), a group of 5 or more, and water at 22–28°C (72–82°F) with a pH of 6.5–8. They grow to about 30 cm (11.8 in) and are peaceful.
Plan a tank with bala sharksSee all tank mates
Bala shark quick facts
| Scientific name | Balantiocheilos melanopterus |
|---|---|
| Family | Cyprinidae |
| Origin | Rivers and lakes of Borneo and Sumatra (rare in the wild; aquarium fish are farm-bred) |
| Adult size | 30 cm (11.8 in) |
| Minimum tank | 230 gallons (871 L), at least 240 cm (94 in) long |
| Temperature | 22–28°C (72–82°F) |
| pH | 6.5–8 |
| Hardness (GH) | 5–12 dGH |
| Group size | 5 or more (schooling fish) |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Care level | Hard |
| Lifespan | 8–10 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | No, eats shrimp |
| Safe with plants? | Mostly (nibbles soft plants) |
- Known jumper: keep a tight-fitting lid.
Tank setup
Bala sharks are fast, skittish open-water swimmers, so tank length matters most. A school of five adults needs about 230 gallons (871 L) and a tank at least 8 ft (240 cm) long and 2 ft (60 cm) wide; bigger is better. Keep the middle open, put plants and wood along the back and sides, and use strong filtration. A heavy, clipped-down lid is a must.
How many bala sharks in a tank?
Bala sharks need a very large tank: at least 230 gallons (871 L).
| Tank | Bala sharks (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | Too small |
| 29 gallon | Too small |
| 40 gallon | Too small |
| 55 gallon | Too small |
| 75 gallon | Too small |
| 125 gallon | Too small |
What you need for bala sharks
Sized for a 235 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits a group of 5 bala sharks. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 235 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 235 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 1960 lb (890 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- 3 adjustable heaters, 250 W each (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 77 °F (25 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). Two heaters keep the tank warm if one fails. How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Canister filter rated 1410–2350 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Heavily stocked or messy fish: 6–10 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 350 lb of aquarium gravel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Smooth gravel suits most community fish. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 110 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for bala sharks
- Tropical fish pellets (opens Amazon in a new tab)A good staple for medium community fish.
- Tight-fitting lid for a 235 gallon tank (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bala shark can jump out of an open tank.
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Water parameters
They handle a wide range: aim for 22–28°C (72–82°F), pH 6.5–8.0 and soft to moderately hard water. A school of large, active fish makes a lot of waste, so do big water changes every week and keep the water well oxygenated.
Best tank mates for bala sharks
These popular species share bala sharks' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 57 good matches.
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Dwarf gourami
7.5 cm (3 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Bristlenose pleco
12 cm (4.7 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)
Bronze corydoras
7 cm (2.8 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
Angelfish
15 cm (5.9 in) · 24–29°C (75–84°F)
Tiger barb
7 cm (2.8 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Common pleco
40 cm (15.7 in) · 23–28°C (73–82°F)
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Avoid keeping bala sharks with
- Cherry shrimp: Bala shark eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
- Guppy: Bala shark can eat guppies: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Neon tetra: Bala shark can eat neon tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Panda corydoras: Bala shark can eat panda corydoras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Zebra danio: Bala shark can eat zebra danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- African dwarf frog: Bala shark can eat African dwarf frogs.
Feeding
An omnivore that eats almost anything. Feed a quality pellet or flake as the staple, plus frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia and krill. Add plant foods such as blanched peas, zucchini or spinach. Large adults also take chopped earthworm, prawn and mussel.
Behavior
Peaceful but nervous, especially when kept alone or in pairs. In a proper school they settle well with other large, calm fish such as tinfoil barbs, silver dollars, large rainbowfish and big plecos. Adults will eat very small fish like neon tetras and guppies, and their fast feeding can crowd out slow tankmates.
Breeding
Not bred in home aquariums. Farms in Southeast Asia spawn them with hormone injections, so nearly every bala sold is farm-raised. Wild populations have dropped sharply, so farm-bred fish are the responsible choice.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Shop balas are usually 2–4 in (5–10 cm). Plan the tank for 12 in (30 cm) adults before you buy.
- Keep at least five. Lone balas stay nervous and skittish.
- Clip or weigh down the lid. A jumping adult can knock a loose lid off.
- Don't keep them with fish under about 2 in (5 cm), such as neons, guppies or small rasboras.
Frequently asked questions
How big do bala sharks get?
Adults usually reach 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) in a large aquarium, and wild fish reach about 14 inches (35 cm). They are sold only a few inches long, which surprises many owners.
Can a bala shark live alone?
It can survive, but it won't thrive. Bala sharks are schooling fish and stay stressed and jumpy without at least four others of their kind.
Are bala sharks real sharks?
No. They are minnows in the carp family (Cyprinidae). The name comes from their tall dorsal fin and torpedo shape.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.