What Is a Bala Shark?
Balantiocheilos melanopterus is a species of fish known as a bala shark, tricolor shark, silver shark, or shark minnow. This fish is not actually a shark at all; it got its name because its body and dorsal fin shape resemble that of a shark. It shares the family Cyprinidae with common fish such as carp and minnows. Commonly found in pet stores, the bala shark is a popular choice for aquarium owners. They have a pleasant appearance with a shiny silver body, fins edged in black, and a sleek shark-like shape. It is difficult to tell the differences between a male and female. The bala shark is peaceful and can be kept in freshwater aquariums alongside other types of fish with relative ease, provided that the other fish are not small enough to eat.
