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Genus

Balantiocheilos

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Species
1
Photographed
1 of 1
Difficulty rated
1 of 1

Where the name comes fromEdit

from the Ancient Greek, and χείλος (cheílos), meaning 'lip', in reference to the posterior margin of the lower lip, which forms a pouch or pocket.

Young adult specimen.

Balantiocheilos melanopterusSilver Shark

Bleeker, 1850

Max length
350mm SL14in SL
Tank
240 × 60cm96 × 24in
Temp
20–28°C68–82°F
pH
6.0–8.0

The silver shark, Balantiocheilos melanopterus, is a large cyprinid from Borneo, Sumatra and possibly Peninsular Malaysia. Also sold as the 'Bala shark', it is among the most commonly encountered ornamental fishes, yet it reaches 300 to 350 mm SL and long-term care is beyond most hobbyists. Wild populations have dwindled or vanished, it has been listed as Endangered by the IUCN since 1996, and fish on sale are almost certainly all commercially bred. It does not occur in Indochina.

Difficult