Silver Shark Balantiocheilos Melanopterus
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Silver Shark, also called the Bala Shark, is a sleek, torpedo-shaped cyprinid with shimmering silver scales and striking black-edged yellow fins. It is a fast, active shoaling fish that cruises the open water constantly and grows far larger than most people expect. Native to rivers of Borneo and Sumatra, it suits keepers with very large, peaceful communities of similarly sized fish.
- Adult Size: Around 30–35 cm (12–14 in)
- Lifespan: 10 years or more
Origin
- Native to: Borneo, Sumatra and possibly Peninsular Malaysia
- Habitat: Open water of fast-flowing rivers and lakes
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous, accepts almost anything
- Preferred Foods: Flake, pellets, bloodworm, brineshrimp, blanched vegetables, fruit
- Feeding Habits: Twice daily, small portions; a varied diet keeps colour and condition
Tank Mates
- Best with: Large peaceful fish, big barbs, rainbowfish, plecs, Synodontis, own kind
- Avoid: Small fish that fit in the mouth, timid, slow or delicate species
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful but boisterous and fast-moving
- Territoriality: Not territorial; a lone fish may bully similar-looking species
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate (space is the issue)
- Challenges: Adult size and shoaling needs demand a very large tank
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, neutral, adaptable
- Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F)
- pH: 6.0–8.0
- Hardness: 2–15 dGH
- Flow: Moderate to strong
- Tank Size: Minimum 800 litres for a group of five adults; 240 cm long or more
Final Notes
Buy only if you can house a group of five or more in a tank around 240 cm long, because juveniles grow rapidly and singly kept fish become nervous or aggressive. They are skittish and leap powerfully when startled, so a heavy, tight-fitting lid is essential. Keep decor minimal to leave open swimming space, with strong filtration and well-oxygenated water. In a suitable setup a shoal of these gleaming fish is spectacular.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.