Sharks / Loaches

Habitat

It is a pelagic species primarily occuring in rivers but also some lakes such as the Danau Sentarum system.

Maximum Standard Length

Fully grown at 13.8"/35cm and IS capable of achieving this size in aquaria when properly cared for.

Minimum Tank Size

This is a very active fish and a tank measuring 96" x 24" x 24"/240cm x 60cm x 60cm/906 litres should be the smallest considered to house a group of adults.
Tank Setup

Choice of decor is not as critical as water quality and the amount of open swimming-space provided; we've seen very healthy-looking specimens being maintained in completely bare set-ups for example. However should you possess the means to both provide and decorate a sufficiently-sized tank for long term care this species would look superb in a set-up designed to resemble a fast-flowing river with a substrate of variably-sized rocks and gravel, some large water-worn boulders and perhaps a couple of driftwood branches. A giant rivertank manifold could even be constructed to provide naturalistic unidirectional flow.

Like many other species that hail from running waters it is quite intolerant to the accumulation of organic wastes and requires spotless water at all times in order to thrive. It also does best if there is a high level of dissolved oxygen and a decent level of water movement in the tank. Even if a rivertank manifold is installed an enormous external-style filter or two are going to be needed in order to provide the desired levels of oxygen, flow and surface area for bacterial colonisation. Be sure to fit the tank with a heavy, tightly-fitting cover as it can be quite skittish at times and has a powerful leap.

Temperature 72 - 82°F/22 - 28°C

pH Range Happy within the range 6.0 - 8.0 but a value close to neutral is usually recommended.

Hardness 5 - 15°H

Diet

Like many cyprinids Balantiocheilos melanopterus is omnivorous and something of an opportunist with stomach analyses of wild specimens revealing it to feed on insects, crustaceans, algae and other plant matter. In the aquarium it's just as easily-fed and will accept just about anything offered. For it to develop its best colours and condition offer regular meals of small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and Artemia along with good quality dried flakes, granules and plenty of vegetable matter. Shelled peas, blanched courgette, spinach and chopped fruit all make good additions to the menu. Larger specimens will also take chopped earthworm, prawn, mussel etc.

Compatibility

Given its potential size this species is clearly unsuitable for the general community aquarium. Though normally quite peaceful it will also eat very small fish and can upset slow-moving/shy tankmates with its constant activity and vigorous feeding behaviour. It is therefore only appropriate for very large tanks containing robust, similarly-sized tankmates that enjoy the same conditions. There are a number of suitable choices but recommendations include Hypsibarbus wetmorei, Barilius, Cyclocheilichthys, Osteochilus, Barbonymus, Mystacoleucus and larger Garra species.

Although it is gregarious by nature it is a shoaling rather than schooling species which develops a distinct pecking order and therefore should always be maintained in a group of five or more. If only two or three are purchased the subdominant fish may be bullied incessantly whereas solitary specimens can become aggressive towards similar-looking species.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexually mature females are noticeably thicker-bodied than males but it is impossible to accurately sex young fish.

Breeding

As far as we know it has not been bred in aquaria although it is farmed for the trade in large numbers via the use of hormones.

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