Description
The Silver Shark or Bala Shark is a large freshwater fish with a beautiful silver body and black lined fins. They are native to the rivers and lakes throughout Southeast Asia where their habitat includes fast-flowing waters. When setting up a tank, provide plenty of space as they can grow rather large and are active swimmers. A river set-up with a substrate of pebbles and rocks as decorations will create a more natural environment. Have powerful filtration as they need spotless waters to be comfortable. It also does best if there is a high level of dissolved oxygen and a decent level of water movement in the tank. Be sure to have a heavy or tight lid on the tank as they are skittish and can jump.
Silver Sharks are peaceful fish but are not suitable for a general community tank because of their size, very active swimming, and vigorous feeding behaviour. They will eat small fish that can fit in their mouth and will disturb slow-moving fish. Tankmates that is suitable for them are other fish with similar size and activeness. They are not a schooling species but is more comfortable in a group and should be kept in a group of 6-8+. Keeping them in too small amounts will result in bullying of the weakest fish and can also spark aggression in tankmates.
They are omnivorous and feeds on insects, crustaceans, algae and other plant matter in the wild. In captivity, they can be fed with commercial fish foods and will do better when given live or frozen foods like Artemia, Daphnia, and bloodworms for better colouration. Vegetables like peas, spinach, and chopped fruits can also be fed.
FUN FACT: Silver Sharks are not real sharks but gets their name from their high dorsal fins and their missile-shaped body, which looks like a shark. They are classified as endangered in the IUCN list as their species continue to decrease in the wild. The fish in aquariums are usually bred in farms and are not wild-caught.
Please visit our store if you wish to get this fish. Contact us at 03-7733 7469 for queries on types and availability.
* Available in-store only