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The Bala Shark, also known as the Silver Shark or Tri-Color Shark, is a striking, active, and peaceful freshwater fish highly prized for its sleek, torpedo-shaped body and shimmering silver scales. Native to Southeast Asia, particularly the Mekong and Chao Phraya river basins, these beautiful cyprinids are characterized by their prominent, large eyes and distinctive black-edged fins, which give them an elegant appearance. Despite their common name, Bala Sharks are not true sharks but belong to the carp family. They are known for their schooling behavior and thrive when kept in groups of three or more, which reduces stress and encourages their natural social interactions. As they can reach an impressive size of up to 14 inches (35 cm) in captivity, a large aquarium of at least 120 gallons is essential for their long-term health and well-being. They prefer well-oxygenated water with strong filtration and plenty of open swimming space, along with some hiding spots created by driftwood or robust plants. Bala Sharks are generally peaceful and can be housed with other similarly sized, non-aggressive species. Their active nature and graceful movements make them a captivating centerpiece in a large, well-maintained community tank.

Grows very large; not a true shark.