Bala Shark 101 Care And Breeding 🦈

The Bala shark is a small, harmless shark that’s often found in remote regions of the world. You can find them in freshwater rivers and lakes or remote coastal waters.

They’re only about less than a meter long and they eat small crustaceans, mollusks, worms, and fish. And, Bala sharks have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.

This article will tell you how to keep this fish happy and healthy in your home aquarium.

What Do Bala Sharks Look Like?

Bala sharks are usually yellow, gray, and black. They have blackish, oval-shaped eyes equipped with protective nictitating membranes that act like sunglasses; these help them see even in murky water.

Bala sharks have scaleless skin that’s very thin and flexible, similar to wet paper. The dorsal fin is set far back on their body and they also have a dorsal ridge (running along the spine) and a long, keel-like backbone.

The Bala Shark is a very small species of shark that can be found in India, Malaysia, and Thailand. They are almost always less than 1 meter long and weigh only about 2 kilograms on average.

These sharks have round snouts and thin bodies, with flattened heads and deep caudal bellies. Their teeth are more adapted to feeding on plankton than larger prey.

Their narrow pectoral fins have a dark edge that runs along the front of them to the Bala Shark’s side where it then becomes pale white. The dorsal fin is divided into two parts the first being triangular and shorter than the second half which runs longer down the shark’s back.

The caudal fin is also forked with a black trailing edge. The most common type of Bala shark is the silver variety. They can be identified by their long pectoral fins, which extend beyond the head. Also, their dorsal fins are triangular.

How To Care For Bala Sharks And Keep Them Happy And Healthy?

Caring for Bala sharks is not difficult, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind in order to make sure they stay healthy and happy.

First and foremost, Bala sharks require plenty of space. They should be kept in an aquarium that is at least 100 gallons in size to swim in.

Secondly, they prefer a tropical environment with a water temperature between 73 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit. As for filtration, use a filter that is rated for at least twice the size of your aquarium to keep the water clean.

Bala sharks are scavengers and will eat just about anything that they can fit into their mouths. In the wild, they feed on small crustaceans, mollusks, worms, and fish.

In the home aquarium, they will gladly eat flakes, pellets, freeze-dried food, and chopped meat.

Never feed them anything from your own dinner table! Bala sharks can be a lot of fun to have in an aquarium because they’re so active.

They’re nocturnal animals, so they spend the daytime hiding in caves or under ledges. At night they come out to eat and find mates.

Bala sharks are very social animals so you should keep at least two of them in one aquarium, especially if you have a large aquarium with lots of open space for swimming.

To make them feel even more at home, decorate their aquarium with mangrove roots, rocks, and plants. They tend to rest in dark spaces during the day so be sure to include some caves for hiding places.

On casual observation, Bala sharks are very active swimmers, but they will actually rise to the surface of the water during the late afternoon for periods of rest. Adding hiding places like snags and roots will make them feel more comfortable when resting. During the day, they will hide in their resting spots.

Common Mistakes People Make When Caring For Their Bala Sharks:

Not providing enough space for them to swim in – Bala sharks require an aquarium that is at least 100 gallons in size.
Not keeping the water temperature between 73 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit – they prefer a tropical environment.
Not using a filter that is rated for at least twice the size of your aquarium – Keep the water clean.
Feeding them human food – never feed your Bala sharks anything from your own dinner table!
Not providing enough hiding spots – Bala sharks are very social and like to swim in schools, so you should always keep at least two of them in one aquarium.
Putting them under bright lights – if the room your aquarium is in gets a lot of sunlight or artificial light, be sure to place their tank away from these bright areas.
Not changing the water often enough – Bala sharks need clean water to thrive, so you should change at least 25% of the water in their tank every week.
Overfeeding them – In fact, too much food will likely lead to the water growing polluted, which is very bad for Bala sharks.
Not having a tight-fitting lid – Bala sharks are great at escaping from their tanks, so be sure you have a lid that fits on top of their aquarium tightly. This will prevent the shark from getting out and from any other fish from getting in.

If you’re thinking of getting a Bala shark, be sure to keep these things in mind! They’re beautiful fish and make great pets, but they do require a lot of care if you want them to thrive.

Breeding Of Bala Shark:

Bala sharks are not bred in home aquariums for various reasons. One of the main reasons is that Bala sharks need a large tank in order to breed. In addition, the water conditions in a home aquarium are not ideal for breeding Bala sharks.

Another reason why they are not bred in home aquariums is that they are often preyed upon in their natural habitat.

Therefore, it is difficult to keep them in an aquarium for breeding and ensure their safety.

Finally, they are not commonly found in home aquariums, so there is little incentive to breed them. Instead, most people who want Bala sharks opt to purchase them from a pet store.

Faq:

Are Bala Sharks Aggressive?

No, Bala sharks are not aggressive.

How Much Do Bala Sharks Cost?

The price of a Bala shark varies depending on the size and age of the fish as well as from store to store. In general, they retail for about $50 per fish.

What Do Bala Sharks Eat?

Bala sharks mainly eat small crustaceans, mollusks, worms, and fish. However, they will also eat flakes and other kinds of fish food.

How Big Do Bala Sharks Get?

Bala sharks grow to an average length of about 40 cm.

What Is The Lifespan Of A Bala Shark?

Bala Sharks have an average lifespan of about 10 years.

Final Thoughts:

Bala sharks can be hard to find in-home aquariums because they require a large tank and for more reasons.

If you’re interested in adding this small, harmless shark to your collection, we recommend that you purchase it from a pet store instead of breeding them yourself.

We have also discussed the challenges of keeping Bala sharks alive when their natural habitat is so different from an artificial environment like a home aquarium.

In general, people who want these little guys opt for purchasing them at a pet store or waiting until they are found naturally by chance.

So if you’re looking for something new and interesting, then consider getting yourself some Bala Shark!