Tricolor sharkminnow / Bala shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus)

Scientific name: Balantiocheilos melanopterus Bleeker, 1851

The Tricolor sharkminnow / Bala shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–28°C (72–82°F). Native range: Asia, Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Becoming rare or extinct in many river basins.

Tricolor sharkminnow / Bala shark care at a glance

Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F)

Biology

Silver body with black margins on dorsal, caudal, anal and pelvic; lower lip with a posterior groove forming a pocket opening backwards.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Family: Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order: Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 35.0
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 12 benthopelagic
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Asia: Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Becoming rare or extinct in many river basins.
Conservation status (IUCN): Endangered (EN)(A1ac)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: highly commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)