{"product_id":"silver-shark-balantiocheilos-melanopterus","title":"Silver Shark Balantiocheilos Melanopterus","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 30–35 cm (12–14 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 10 years or more\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e Borneo, Sumatra and possibly Peninsular Malaysia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Open water of fast-flowing rivers and lakes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Omnivorous, accepts almost anything\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Flake, pellets, bloodworm, brineshrimp, blanched vegetables, fruit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Twice daily, small portions; a varied diet keeps colour and condition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Large peaceful fish, big barbs, rainbowfish, plecs, Synodontis, own kind\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Small fish that fit in the mouth, timid, slow or delicate species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Peaceful but boisterous and fast-moving\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Not territorial; a lone fish may bully similar-looking species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Intermediate (space is the issue)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Adult size and shoaling needs demand a very large tank\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, neutral, adaptable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 22–28°C (72–82°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 6.0–8.0\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 2–15 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Moderate to strong\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 800 litres for a group of five adults; 240 cm long or more\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuy 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"5cm","offer_id":64680668201337,"sku":"STF-SHARK-SILVER-5cm","price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"10cm","offer_id":64680668234105,"sku":"STF-SHARK-SILVER-10cm","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-SHARK-SILVER.png?v=1790096916","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquatics.myshopify.com\/products\/silver-shark-balantiocheilos-melanopterus","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}