Bala Shark - Balantiochelios melanopterus

Despite their name and its connotations, sharks are extremely peaceful (except for red-tailed sharks) and live best in a community aquarium with fish of the same disposition. In fact, they are not really sharks and actually belong to the minnow family. It is their upright dorsal fin that gives them a shark-like appearance. While most fish tend to stay at a certain level of the aquarium, you will see your shark swimming at the bottom, middle and top of your tank. They are omnivores, which means they eat both plant and animal matter, including prepared foods, small live foods and certain vegetables. Sharks are active swimmers and need a large tank that is long rather than tall. A good rule of thumb is one gallon of water for every one inch of full-grown fish. 

Name: Bala Shark (MD)

Scientific Name: Balantiocheilos melanopterus 

Group information: Large Barb

Experience Level: Advanced 

Housing: Tank Size - 125 gallons

Behavior: Semi-Aggressive

Compatibility: Schooling Fish 

Swim Level: Middle