OSTEICHTHYES: CYPRINIFORMES: CYPRINIDAE: Balantiocheilos

Balantiocheilos melanopterus (Bleeker, 1851)

Tricolor or Bala Shark

Photo by Dr. Robert Sprackland

Range: Freshwater rivers of southeastern Asia, from Myanmar (Burma) south to Java.

Diagnosis: A large-scaled silver bodied fish with pale yellow dorsal, caudal, pelvic and anal fins, all with a thick posterior black trim.

Description: An intensely silver fish thickest below the anterior part of the dorsal fin. Body strongly compressed laterally. Fins long, transparent, and colored (excepting pectoral fins). Adults may reach 40 cm/16 inches.

Natural History: This is a large and peaceful fish that feeds largely on algae and tiny aquatic invertebrates. They form small schools.

Reproduction: Egg-layers.

Taxonomy & Relationships: This is the only species in its genus.

Variation: Specimens from the eastern regions may have brownish, vs. yellow, fin coloring. The yellow or brownish pigment fades if the water temperature is either too cool or too hot.

Additional Comments: In the aquarium, this species does well in large tanks with some plants. Water should have a pH of 7-8, and a temperature of 25º C.

Type Specimen: RMNH 7030, Bandjarmasin, Borneo.

Literature:

Palicka, Jiri. 1992. Keeping the tricolor shark. Tropical Fish Hobbyist 40(8): 8-12.