Bala shark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bala shark |
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The bala shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus) is a cool fish often called the tricolor shark or silver shark. It's known by these names because of its sleek, torpedo-shaped body and large fins. Even though it's called a "shark," it's actually a type of Cyprinid fish, which is a family that includes minnows and carps. It's not a real shark at all!
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Where Bala Sharks Live
Bala sharks are found in parts of Southeast Asia. You can find them in countries like Malaysia (on the Malay Peninsula), Sumatra, and Borneo. They live in large and medium-sized rivers and lakes.
What Do Bala Sharks Look Like?
These fish have shiny silver bodies. Their fins are black around the edges, which makes them look very striking. They have big eyes that help them spot their food. Bala sharks can grow quite large, reaching up to about 35 centimeters (14 inches) long.
What They Eat
Bala sharks are found swimming in the middle parts of rivers and lakes. They are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and small animals. Their diet mainly includes tiny crustaceans, rotifers, and different kinds of insects and their larvae. They also eat some phytoplankton, which are tiny plant-like organisms.
Keeping Bala Sharks in Aquariums
Bala sharks are popular fish for aquariums, but they need a lot of space! They are generally peaceful and get along well with many other types of tropical fish. However, they grow very big, much larger than most home aquariums can comfortably hold.
| Tank size | 500 litres (125 gallons) or more |
| Water temperature | 22–28 °C (72–82 °F) |
| Water type | Freshwater |
| Temperament | Peaceful, likes to be in groups |
| Diet | Eats many kinds of food (omnivorous) |
| Water hardness | Soft to medium (5–12 °dH) |
| pH | 6–8 |
Bala sharks are quite tough fish. They can handle small changes in water temperature or pH levels better than some other fish. The water should be kept between 22 and 28 degrees Celsius (72-82 degrees Fahrenheit). The water's pH level should be between 6.0 and 8.0.
These fish like to live in groups of two or more. They are also very good jumpers, so their aquarium needs a secure lid. This stops them from jumping out and getting hurt.
Tank Size Matters
Even though young bala sharks are small, they grow very quickly. Because they get so big and like to swim fast in groups, they need a huge amount of space. Many fish experts believe that a tank should be at least 2 meters (6.5 feet) long. Some even think they are too large for typical home aquariums. They might be better suited for very large, custom-built tanks or even indoor ponds.
Conservation Status
The bala shark is listed as a vulnerable species by the IUCN Red List. This means their numbers are decreasing in the wild. They have become rare or have even disappeared from many rivers where they used to live.
One reason for their decline might be overfishing for the aquarium trade. Another possible cause could be pollution from forest fires. Today, most bala sharks sold for aquariums are bred in captivity, not caught from the wild.
Images for kids
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A bala shark in an aquarium.
