Tricolor sharkminnow / Bala shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus) fish species and information / pictures of Tricolor sharkminnow / Bala shark - Balantiocheilos melanopterus

Tricolor sharkminnow / Bala shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus) fish species information

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Scientific Name
Balantiocheilos melanopterus

Common Name
Tricolor sharkminnow / Bala shark

Biology
Silver body with black margins on dorsal, caudal, anal and pelvic; lower lip with a posterior groove forming a pocket opening backwards.

Classification

Classified By

Bleeker, 1851

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Carps (Cypriniformes)

Family

Minnows or carps (Cyprinidae)

Distribution

Region

Asia

Distribution

Asia: Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Becoming rare or extinct in many river basins.

Range

20°N - 6°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

22 °C

Water Temperature To

28 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 12 benthopelagic

Trophic Level

3.00999999046326 s.e. 0.38 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

35.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.7500 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: highly commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (49 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Endangered (EN)(A1ac)