• Scientific name: Balantiocheilos melanopterus
• Synonyms: Barbus melanopterus, Puntius melanopterus, Systomus melanopterus
• Common name: Bala shark, Silver shark, Tricolor shark, Bala Sharkminnow
• Group: Cyprinids
• Habitat: Southeast Asia; Thailand, Borneo, Sumatra, Malayan penninsula
• Size: 35 cm
• Biotope: Inhabits large and medium sized waterways such as lakes and rivers.
• Social behavior: A peaceful species which can be kept with smaller fish.
• Diet: Omnivorous: live foods as tubifex worm, daphnia and mosquito larvae; flakes and vegetation.
• Breeding: Not successfully bred in an aquarium.
• Tank: Minimum 300 litres
• Population: 2-3 fishes for 300 litres
• Decoration: Prefers a longer aquarium with good swimming space. Keep plants along the tank edges and in the back and use roots for decoration in the center. Since the species is a jumper, the tank should be well covered.
• Temperature: 22-28 °C
• pH: 6-7
• Hardness: 5-15 NK°
• Lifespan: 5-10 years

Description: The Bala Shark or Silver Shark has an elongated slender body. It has an attractive silver color, slightly darker towards the top and lighter towards the underbelly, and with a golden sheen to the sides. They have big eyes to see better to catch their prey. The fins and tail have a white or golden area with a broad black edge. The shape of the dorsal fin is that of a triangle, which actually gave this fish the name of shark. Usually peaceful and passive but will violently attack invertabrates, such as ghost shrimp and snails as they make up a major part of its diet in the wild. The greater number of sharks in the school the bolder they will be The Bala shark may make audible sounds. During the spawning season female is generally fatter. Little is known about the species' special breeding habits. Will probably only be successful in a larger tank about 75 gallons (300 litres).