{"product_id":"bala-shark-balantiocheilos-melanopterus","title":"Bala Shark | Balantiocheilos melanopterus","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"newlands-animal-care-guide\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBala Shark | Balantiocheilos melanopterus\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose the aquarium for the adult animal and its companions. A mature filter and stable, species-appropriate water conditions are essential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; natural habitat\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMalaysia, Indonesia, Sumatra, Borneo; freshwater habitats.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eAdult size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproximately 35 cm body length (excluding the tail fin).\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTemperament\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge active shoaler; never plan long-term care around juvenile sale size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eActivity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUse a consistent light\/dark cycle with sheltered resting places.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSocial needs\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChoose companions sharing its adult size, water conditions and behaviour.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHousing \u0026amp; Setup\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnclosure dimensions are length × depth × height unless stated otherwise. Plan for the adult animal; larger, suitably furnished housing is encouraged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eAdult housing\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAt least 240 × 60 cm of floor area, around 870 litres at 60 cm water depth. Add space and volume for companions, furnishings and the planned adult group.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eEnclosure type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature freshwater aquarium, unless a different water type is specified below.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–28°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWater chemistry\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH 6.0–8.0; hardness 2–15dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSubstrate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpecies-appropriate sand or smooth gravel; avoid sharp material around bottom-dwelling fish.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFurnishings \u0026amp; filtration\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery large, long covered aquarium with strong filtration and ample swimming room\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Compatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLarge active shoaler; never plan long-term care around juvenile sale size Check every proposed companion with our aquatic team and allow extra territory for breeding fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFeeding \u0026amp; Nutrition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuality omnivore foods with varied plant and frozen foods. Offer modest measured portions and remove leftovers. Feed measured portions rather than allowing food to accumulate; juveniles may need smaller, more frequent meals. Make sure bottom-dwelling or shy animals receive their share.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRoutine Care\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCheck appetite, breathing, equipment and water temperature daily. Test water regularly; ammonia and nitrite must remain at zero. Make regular partial water changes using conditioned, temperature-matched water. Rinse biological filter media in removed tank water, preserving the filter bacteria.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eImportant Before Buying\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCycle the aquarium before collection. Confirm the current food and water conditions with our aquatic team and acclimatise gradually. Sale size is not adult size; stocking and filtration must account for the full-grown animal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLive Animals Are Click \u0026amp; Collect Only\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe do not ship live animals. Order online and wait for confirmation that your animal is ready before collecting from Newlands Home and Garden Centre, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. Have the enclosure prepared and its conditions checked before collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Glenkrag","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52743720698183,"sku":"1095982","price":16.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0661\/8821\/4500\/files\/Bala_Shark___Balantiocheilos_melanopterus.png?v=1790685971","url":"https:\/\/www.newlands.ie\/en-gb\/products\/bala-shark-balantiocheilos-melanopterus","provider":"Newlands Garden Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}