Edit Balantiocheilos melanopterus
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Name
Scientific name
Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Described by
Authority Bleeker, Year 1850, Bracketed
Family
Cyprinidae
Common names
Silver Shark
Photograph credits
All 4 credited
Summary
The silver shark, Balantiocheilos melanopterus, is a large cyprinid from Borneo, Sumatra and possibly Peninsular Malaysia. Also sold as the…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
350mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 240 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm, Water movement High: fast-flowing river or riffle
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 20–28°C, pH 6–8
Hardness
2–15dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Not recorded
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Indonesia, Malaysia, Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Batang Hari, Kapuas
Writing
Etymology
Balantiocheilos: from the Ancient Greek, and χείλος (cheílos), meaning 'lip', in reference to the posterior margin of the lower lip, which forms a pouch or poc…
Distribution
Type locality is 'Bandjarmasin, Borneo, Indonesia', and work by Ng and Kottelat published in 2007 (see 'Notes') confirmed that contrary to much of the publishe…
Habitat
A pelagic species primarily occuring in rivers but also natural lakes such as the Danau Sentarum system.
Aquarium size
An aquarium with base dimensions of 240 ∗ 60 cm should be the smallest considered to house a group of adults.
Maintenance
Choice of décor is not as critical as water quality and the amount of open swimming-space provided; we've seen very healthy-looking specimens being maintained …
Water conditions
Temperature: 20 – 28 °C pH: 6.0 – 8.0 but a value close to neutral is usually recommended. Hardness: 2 – 15 dGH
Diet
Like many cyprinids B. melanopterus is omnivorous with stomach analyses of wild specimens revealing it to feed on insects, crustaceans, algae and other plant m…
Behaviour and compatibility
Given its potential size this species is clearly unsuitable for the general community aquarium. Though normally quite peaceful it will also eat very small fish…
Sexual dimorphism
Sexually mature females are noticeably thicker-bodied than males but it is impossible to accurately sex young fish.
Reproduction
As far as we know it has not been bred in aquaria although it is farmed for the trade in large numbers via the use of hormones.
Notes
May also be seen on sale under the trade names 'Bala shark' or 'tricolor shark minnow' and perhaps among the most commonly-encountered ornamental fish species.…
References
References
6 on this profile