How big can a Bala shark get?
35 cm
Appearance and anatomy. These fish have a silver body with black margins on their dorsal, caudal, anal, and pelvic fins. They have big eyes to find and catch their prey. The bala shark will grow to a maximum length of 35 cm (14 in).
How long does it take for a Bala shark to reach full size?
They actually grow quite fast and in as little as a month some have experienced them growing 1-4 inches.
Can Bala sharks stay small?
Bala Shark size Since these fish are rare in their natural abodes, most of these fish are bought from fish farms. These tend to be just 3 to 4 inches when first bought, and fish owners are often surprised to learn that the adult size can be up to 1 foot or 13 inches.
Do Bala sharks get lonely?
Bala Sharks are actually a Barb, and as such are a schooling fish. However, Barbs are generally not very particular about being in a school, and Bala Sharks should, in fact be all right as a solitary specimen or in a small group or pair.
Why do my Bala sharks keep dying?
Bala Sharks Will Jump Out of the Tank One of the leading reasons Bala Sharks die prematurely in home aquariums is their tendency to leap out of the water. Balas are graceful, powerful swimmers but when they get spooked, they would jump in a blink of an eye. In the wild, jumping makes for an excellent defense mechanism.
Can a Bala shark live in a 75 gallon tank?
While some species that reach a similar size can be housed in a 55- to 75-gallon tank, the bala shark would find such conditions very cramped and likely displace a lot of water in its quick bursts across the tank. The bala shark is also a social fish that likes to live in groups.
Do Bala sharks eat tropical flakes?
Bala sharks accept flake foods, pellets, freeze-dried and frozen foods. They also voraciously accept live foods, including Daphnia, bloodworms, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, and tubifex worms.
Why is my Bala shark swimming upside down?
The impaired buoyancy in fish is caused by a malfunction of their swim bladder. When affected by Swim Bladder Disorder fish will often lose the ability to properly swim. They will float uncontrollably to the top of the aquarium, turned upside down, while still being alive.
Why are my Bala sharks dying?
Are Bala sharks hard to keep?
However, the Bala Shark is a large fish and will require a large aquarium. Other than that, they are relatively easy to care for. Breeding is also not difficult either but takes time and patience. If you have other fish in your aquarium, chances are Bala can get along with them just fine.
Why do my bala sharks keep dying?
Will bala sharks eat guppies?
Minnows and rasboras also get along just fine with guppies. Even other members of the guppy family, like the platy, can easily, comfortably share a tank with guppies. However, keep in mind that most small schooling fish need to be kept in groups of at least six to feel comfortable.
How big do bala sharks usually get?
When you first see bala sharks in fish shops, they will be at around two inches in length. A full grown bala shark usually reaches 14 inches in length but can grow up to 25 inches in captivity.
What is the average lifespan a bala shark?
Bala Shark Lifespan. If kept in good water conditions and fed a high-quality diet, these fish can live a long time. The average lifespan for an aquarium Silver Bala is 10 years. Appearance. Silver Balas are striking fish for many reasons. They tend to be 3 to 4 inches when purchased from aquarium stores, but they will grow to an adult size of
Is a bala shark really a shark?
The bala shark, Balantiocheilos melanopterus, also known as the tricolor shark, tricolor sharkminnow, silver shark, or shark minnow, is a fish species of the family Cyprinidae, and is one of the two species in the genus Balantiocheilos. This species is not a true shark, but is commonly so called because…
What are some good bala shark names?
In their native habitats, Bala Sharks are also known by other names that include Tricolor Shark, Silver Bala, Silver Shark and Tri Color Minnows due to their unique colors and markings. Today, Bala Sharks are considered an endangered species of fish and are thought to have become rare or extinct in many of their original freshwater habitats.