Silver Shark
Alternative Name(s): Bala shark
Scientific Name(s): Balantiochellus melanopterus
Category: Tropical
Difficulty:
Maximum Size: 35cms
Minimum Tank Volume: 900 litres
Minimum Tank Size: 96" x 24" x 24"
Water Temperature Range: 22-28°C
Water pH Range: 6.0-7.5
Water Hardness Range: 5-15 dGH
General Information: Large elegant and streamlined cyprinid from Thailand and South East Asia. Massively oversold as suitable for small aquaria. Best avoided by all except those with expansive aquaria and large filters with good flow rates. Beginners should avoid this species. Pictured specimen is a small juvenile, adults are large and impressive, fast swimmers and good jumpers.
Tank Requirements: Account for fast, shoaling lifestyle. Adult aquaria must be large and long. Fit covers to aquaria.
Diet Requirements: Omnivore. Will enjoy a full range of hearty foods, cichlid pellets, sinking formulae, blanched vegetables and a full array of livefoods. May eat aquarium plants. Unfussy feeder.
Compatibility: Limited. Similar sized peaceful fish with a decent self defence. Will eat smaller fish such as Tetras and is both flighty and fast and a competitive feeder. Known fin nipper.
Recommendations: Overrated filtration, regular cleaning and maintenance, plants may be included but will need to be tough. Keep aquaria midwater and topwater free for incessant swimming and shoaling activity.
Common Problems: Dwarfing, organ compression, panic-related injuries, scares small shoaling fish, high 02 consumer, small shoal dynamics and single fish may lead to nipping behaviours and minor territoriality.
Similar Species: Many Asian river carp, barbs and other freshwater sharks. Distichodus and larger Leporinus and Tinfoils, Silver Dollars and Jerdoni etc make reasonable tankmates needing comparably sized aquaria.
Sexing: No significant or reliable external differences, females may be plumper.
Breeding: Not reported in aquaria, most likely in tropical ponds and public aquaria with large shoals and secluded spawning areas.
Author(s): longhairedgit, Fishlady | Photo: | Views: 74212
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  • Just can't stay away

 jumping silver shark

can you please help me? i have a medium sized silver shark that wont let me clean the tank! i only have to lift the lid and he goes crazy... he has jumped out before flipping his way across my front room what can i do?

 
  • Tropical Moderator

 Re: jumping silver shark

Hi Magosha, welcome to FK. A thread has been started in the main forum to answer your question, here's a link
http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/modules/ ... id=250767#forumpost250767

 
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