Tank setup
A minimum 550L aquarium suits Bala Shark. Provide hiding spots and stable water — this species thrives in a well-filtered community setup.
Where to buy
Compare prices from SA aquarium shops listing Bala Shark.
What Bala Shark costs in South Africa
3 price points from 3 shops over 90 days
R55
cheapest of 3 shops today
↤ R61med R85R137
Great price−35%Down 53.3% versus the previous two months
SA median R85 across 3 shops over the last 90 days.
3 shops
Community Marketplace
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Overview
What to know before you buy.
The Bala Shark is a striking, silver-bodied fish with a shark-like profile and elegant black-tipped fins. Despite its name and appearance, it is a minnow and generally peaceful, though it will eat any fish small enough to fit in its mouth. It is a very active, schooling fish that must be kept in groups. The single most important consideration for this species is its large adult size; it is often sold as a small juvenile but grows rapidly, requiring a very large aquarium of 500 liters or more. Its 'shark' name comes purely from its torpedo-shaped body and prominent dorsal fin.
Key traits
peaceful
schooling
community
large
moderate
omnivore
Compatibility
Select a tank to see how this species fits.
Care guide
Everything you need to keep Bala Shark healthy in a South African setup.
Water parameters
Keep pH 6.5–7.5 and 22–28°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers — acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Feeding
Bala Shark is omnivore. Feed a varied diet appropriate for freshwater fish — quality flakes, pellets, or frozen foods sized to the mouth.
Behaviour
Bala Shark is generally peaceful. Keep in a group where possible for natural behaviour.
Tankmates
Pair with similarly sized peaceful tankmates in freshwater fish. Avoid fin-nippers or species that outgrow this fish.
Breeding
Breeding notes for Bala Shark vary by line and water chemistry — ask your local shop about proven pairs in SA.
Settling this fish in?
Condition the tap water, seed the filter, test through the first weeks — most early losses trace back to one of those.
Availability confirmed with the distributor before dispatch · free delivery over r750
Community photos
From hobbyists across SA.
Photo by FishHubAdmin
Market intelligence
Price trends and buyer demand — data only FishHub tracks.
Price history — last 90 days
SA price range this month: R55–85 · Average: R78
This data is unique to FishHub
Demand by province
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Often kept with
Real pairwise verdicts for Bala Shark, not a same-category guess. Always confirm adult size and your tank's specifics before buying.
- Often kept together
Pristella Tetra
Pristella maxillaris
In a 550L+ tank
- Often kept together
Black Ruby Barb
Pethia nigrofasciata
In a 550L+ tank
- Often kept together
Giant Gourami
Osphronemus goramy
In a 1000L+ tank
- Often kept together
Crystal Black Shrimp
Caridina cantonensis var. 'Crystal Black'
In a 550L+ tank
- Often kept together
Corydoras Julii
Corydoras julii
In a 550L+ tank
- Often kept together
Red-bellied Pacu
Piaractus brachypomus
In a 1500L+ tank
- Often kept together
Orange Sakura Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. 'Orange Sakura'
In a 550L+ tank
- Often kept together
Black Phantom Tetra
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
In a 550L+ tank