Tankmates: Do not combine rainbow/red-tail sharks with each other or with similar bottom-dwellers. Adult bala sharks eat small fish such as neon tetras.
Feeding: Easy feeders. Epalzeorhynchos, Crossocheilus and Labeo graze algae and need some plant matter.
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"Freshwater shark" is a shop name, not a scientific one. The fish sold under it are mostly carp-family fish (cyprinids) with a pointed snout, a tall dorsal fin and a fast, shark-like swimming style. They are a long-time favourite in Malaysian kedai ikan hiasan because they add movement and a bit of attitude to an ordinary community tank.
The group covers two very different kinds of fish: small, territorial bottom-patrollers like the red tail and rainbow shark, and big, peaceful open-water schoolers like the bala shark. Knowing which is which before you buy saves a lot of trouble later. FishyHub lists freshwater sharks from Malaysian sellers, with sizes, photos and prices in RM on each listing.
A velvet-black body with a bright red tail makes this one easy to spot. It grows to about 12–15 cm and claims a cave or a corner of the tank as its own. It will chase other bottom fish that come too close, especially ones with similar colours or shape.
Similar in size and behaviour to the red tail, but with red fins on a grey-blue body. An albino form with a pale pink body and red fins is also common. Like the red tail, it is best kept singly.
A shiny silver fish with black-edged fins, and actually native to parts of Southeast Asia, Borneo included. The small ones in shops look harmless, but bala sharks can reach 30 cm or more and need to live in a group. This is a fish for a big tank, not a 2-foot setup.
Some sellers also group other shark-shaped cyprinids here, such as the silver apollo shark. Check the scientific name on the listing so you know the adult size before you commit.
| Care point | Red tail / rainbow shark | Bala shark |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 24–28°C; normal Malaysian room temperature (26–31°C) is fine with good aeration | 24–28°C; same as left, keep oxygen high |
| Adult size | About 12–15 cm | Often 30 cm or more |
| Minimum tank | 4 kaki (120 cm, about 230–270 L) | 6 kaki (180 cm, about 550–650 L) for a group of adults |
| Temperament | Territorial towards bottom fish; one per tank | Peaceful but skittish; keep 5 or more |
| Diet | Omnivore: sinking pellets, wafers, vegetables, frozen foods | Omnivore: pellets, flakes, frozen and live foods |
| Beginner-friendly? | Yes, if you plan tankmates carefully | Only if you have room for a large tank |
A young red tail can live in a 3-foot tank for a while, but an adult will hold a larger territory and calm down more easily in a 4-foot tank with plenty of rock and wood.
Bala sharks get along with most fish too big to swallow. As adults they suit large community tanks with gouramis, larger barbs or peaceful cichlids.
These fish come from warm Asian rivers, so you don't need a heater in most Malaysian homes. The real issue is oxygen. A tank that reaches 30–32°C on a hot afternoon holds less dissolved oxygen, and active fish like bala sharks feel it first. A pam udara (air pump) or a filter outlet that ripples the surface helps, and so does keeping the tank away from windows.
Treat every water change with anti klorin, since Malaysian tap water is chlorinated. Sharks are not fussy about pH, but they appreciate regular tukar air and a strong filter, because they eat a lot and swim hard.
All of these fish jump, particularly when startled at night. Use a tight lid. If you lose power, a battery-operated air pump keeps a big, heavily stocked tank going until the electricity is back.
Bala sharks outgrow tanks quickly, and some owners are tempted to let them go. Please don't. Jangan lepaskan ikan ke sungai. Releasing aquarium fish harms local rivers and several states now restrict releasing foreign fish. Rehome an oversized fish through a seller or another hobbyist instead.
Price in RM depends mostly on species and size: young red tails and rainbow sharks are everyday fish, while larger bala sharks and less common species cost more. When you compare listings, check:
Buyers in Sabah and Sarawak should ask the seller before ordering live fish, as delivery to East Malaysia takes longer.
Boleh, tetapi pilih kawan yang betul. Red tail shark dan rainbow shark suka menjaga kawasan di dasar akuarium, jadi elakkan ikan dasar yang kecil dalam akuarium yang sempit. Ikan tetra, danio dan barb yang laju biasanya sesuai.
Bala shark boleh membesar sehingga 30 cm atau lebih. Ia perlu disimpan dalam kumpulan dan memerlukan akuarium yang sangat besar, sebaiknya 6 kaki untuk ikan dewasa.
No. They are cyprinids, related to barbs and carp. The name comes from their shape and fin.
Not recommended. They fight over the same space. Keep one of either in a tank, unless the tank is very large and heavily decorated.
They graze on some soft algae and biofilm, but they are not an algae-control fish. Feed them a proper diet of sinking foods and vegetables.
Browse red tail, rainbow and bala sharks from sellers across Malaysia, and compare sizes and prices in RM. While you're planning the tank, take a look at our Silver Dollar and Danio categories for active tankmates, and Plecos for a bottom fish that can hold its own.
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