Diet: Flake, Frozen, Freeze-dried Maximum size: 14" Water temperature: 72-82 degree F Swimming level: Middle Experience level: Intermediate Tank Setup: 40+ gallons, rocks and/or driftwood Note: Pet availability is seasonal. State and local regulations may vary. Pricing may vary by store location. PetSmart stores cannot match the price above for this pet. Ask a store associate for details.

Overall rating:

4.6

(20 reviews) 20

16 of 20(80%)customers recommend this product.

Reviews for Bala Shark

Review 1 for Bala Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 20 reviews

Most realistic shark

March 24, 2013

by FishGhost

fromNYC

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?3

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

Reviewer Images

this shark looks really realistic but this one is very friendly. coolest shark and gets along with any fish of any size. i love it. grows kind of big after a few years

+5points

5of 5voted this as helpful.

Review 2 for Bala Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 20 reviews

amazing fish

January 23, 2013

by funnylittlefish

fromAz

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

he is a good fish although i fell bad because he is all alone and all my bleeding heart tetras keep trying to school with him so i think its time to get him a friend.

+7points

8of 9voted this as helpful.

Review 3 for Bala Shark

Overall rating

3 / 5 20 reviews

Bala

August 31, 2012

by CMAG

fromIndy

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?A few times a year

I have 2 "Bala Sharks" in a 55 Gallon tank with some other Fish and, they are doing great! I have had mine for like 3 months and they are growing Really Fast! I find them kinda boring but Very Good Beginner Fish!

-10points

0of 10voted this as helpful.

Review 4 for Bala Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 20 reviews

I have 5 amazing bala sharks

July 24, 2012

by Gunit

fromLangley,bc

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

My 5 bala sharks in my 56 galon tank are so happy and active, they love being fed in a couple months I am planning to buy a bigger tank (200 gallons ) because they need they room as they can grow up to 14 inches!!

+2points

5of 8voted this as helpful.

Review 5 for Bala Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 20 reviews

Greatest fish I've ever had

July 12, 2012

by Mkelly

fromSeverna Park, MD

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?4

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

These are my two favorite fish in my tank. They both act like the leader. Here's some advice dont put a fish under 3 inches in with your bala

+8points

9of 10voted this as helpful.

Review 6 for Bala Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 20 reviews

has long life span

June 8, 2012

by survivor

fromlouisiana

i bought my bala shark about 5 years ago, he is still living strong, he is the length of my hand from tip of my middle finger to my wrist, the kids adore him friendly to all that enter the tank

0points

1of 2voted this as helpful.

Review 7 for Bala Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 20 reviews

Really Interesting

May 24, 2012

by Anonymous

fromWV

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

I got a Bala Shark to start off my new 50 gal fish aquarium. He is soo neat. He swims everywhere- mine doesn't hide in the cave like it says. They are shiny which makes it so fun to watch him swim around. I also put him in the tank with two African Dwarf Frogs and he leaves them alone. Love this Shark!

-1point

0of 1voted this as helpful.

Review 8 for Bala Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 20 reviews

Great Fish!

March 25, 2012

by Plecostomus75

fromGranbury, TX

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

This fish is PERFECT! I bought one & it is darting around the tank happily & it is getting along with it's tankmates. Overall this fish is Excellent.

-5points

1of 7voted this as helpful.

Review 9 for Bala Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 20 reviews

Fantastic fish... but do your research

January 14, 2012

by bcn111

fromPrinceton, NJ

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

Bala sharks are fantastic fish to keep, but they grow HUGE and need to be kept in groups of 5-6. A 40 gallon aquarium would be able to house a school for perhaps 3 or 4 months, after that, it would be time to upgrade. I have a school of 6 in a 200 gallon tank and am seriously thinking of upgrading, because even this tank seems a little small. They are all about 3 years old and are all over a foot. In the store, they seem small and cute, and they are beautiful fish, but don't be fooled... they become MASSIVE. If you have the means to house them, though, they are incredible!

+36points

40of 44voted this as helpful.

Review 10 for Bala Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 20 reviews

Good!!!!!

December 11, 2011

by PACO

fromOH ,CLEVLAND

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

Great fish this fish is very smart and cool. I recommend this fish to anyone.

-12points

2of 16voted this as helpful.

Review 11 for Bala Shark

Overall rating

4 / 5 20 reviews

A not so beginner fish

July 13, 2011

by fishyguy5

fromHollywood, FL

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

These fish are energetic but do require a good amout of mantainence.First,you have to make sure the water temp is just right or they will develop inactiveness.Second,they are schooling fish,so make sure to get three or more.And just to mention they can also be classified as tropical community fish. If you want this fish, you need expierience.(THEY BE ONLY CLASSIFIED AS TROPICAL COMMUNTIY IF YOU GET THEM WHEN THEY ARE YOUNG).

+9points

15of 21voted this as helpful.

Review 12 for Bala Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 20 reviews

Great fish

February 8, 2011

by Loaches

Top 10 contributor
Vote on helpful content and promote its author.
Top 10 contributor

fromNY

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

Bala sharks are great fish to put in any community, semi-aggressive, or aggressive tank. Bala sharks look great in your tank, and don't start fights with any tank mates. Bala sharks are great fish.

-5points

3of 11voted this as helpful.

Review 13 for Bala Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 20 reviews

An Awesome Fish

November 29, 2010

by Fishes1000

fromIN

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

These are the greatest fish ever! They grow to a spectacular
size! Totally worth buying for an aquarium!

Pros: fun to watch, schoolers

Cons: jumpers

-4points

1of 6voted this as helpful.

Review 14 for Bala Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 20 reviews

Amazing!!

November 1, 2010

by Fishanddoglover

fromEugene, OR

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

I got 4 of them and they have all survived and thrived in the cycling of my 55 gallon tank. they are shy at first, but after about a week, they get used to it. They make a beautiful centerpiece in my tank. they became a very shiny silver once i got them in the tank, and they are very fun to watch school.

Pros: beautiful fun schooling hardy

Cons: none

+2points

7of 12voted this as helpful.

Review 15 for Bala Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 20 reviews

Love Em!

August 28, 2010

by petmaster507

fromArdrossan, Alberta

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?3

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

i got only one to see how it would do in my 35gal tank, and it is so friendly and peacefull, he never ever tries to attack another fish and is easy to take care of, i will likely be getting another one soon

Pros: peaceful, friendly, fun to watch

Cons: fast

+5points

12of 19voted this as helpful.

Review 16 for Bala Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 20 reviews

I love my Bala Sharks!

August 10, 2010

by NameNotOfImportance

fromInland Empire, California

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

I got 3 of them just a few months ago, they don't jump or cause any other problems (well maybe because I have a lid) but anyways, They get VERY big and require proper space and attention. I have them in my little 20 gal. but soon I'll move them into my 75 gallon.

Pros: peaceful, big

+1point

2of 3voted this as helpful.

Review 17 for Bala Shark

Overall rating

2 / 5 20 reviews

My Balas are DYING!

August 8, 2010

by LovePurple

fromPhoenix, AZ

What is your gender?F

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

I bought two Bala Sharks 2 or 3 months ago. One of them died yesterday, and the other one is acting the same way the 1st one acted before he died! They are nice and peaceful, but they stopped eating and stopped playing, I got medication for them but it does not work. The other fish in my tank are doing fine though! So I am not sure what happened. I checked my water and everything I had to do I did it but they are STILL dying! :( I would not recommend these fish if you want them to live long!

Pros: cute, peaceful

Cons: like top jump! but they hit the lid to the tank :(, gets sick fast/easily, died 2/3 months after purchased

-11points

4of 19voted this as helpful.

Review 18 for Bala Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 20 reviews

not what others say.

June 21, 2010

by Matt13

fromlincoln California

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

I got to of these for my 55 gal o go with my pictus. they were teeny weeny but not very shy at all. the first feeding time they were at the surface eating the food, my pictus just hid in a log, scared from th move of tanks(he was in a five gallon). in my opinion they prefer to be in a school not need to be in a school. great fish CANNOT break aquarium glass i have a friend with 120 bought here at petsmart, he has 7full grown, stupid, bala sharks that dart full speed at the wall when you hold fish food in your hand. never had a problem. p.s. his glass is 1/4 inch thick. get if aquarium is large enough!

Pros: not shy

Cons: none

+1point

4of 7voted this as helpful.

Review 19 for Bala Shark

Overall rating

2 / 5 20 reviews

Schooling Fish That NEED A Large Tank

April 13, 2010

by WordEnvy

fromColorado

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

First, I run a fish rescue and I shake my head every time someone brings me a fish that gets too big for the tank. This is a fish that the average person cannot properly care for.

These are schooling fish and NEED to be in groups of 6 or more. They get very large and need more than 40 gallons to grow. Each fish will get an average of 14 inches). They startle easy and will go through the glass of the tank if frightened. Thick glass is needed. These are fast fish, think torpedoes with gills. They need a very long tank to prevent accidents. The best MINIMUM tank would be a long 300 gallon for a school of six. With thick glass. And a heavy lid.

Alone, these fish are shy, hide mostly, and generally freak out when something moves within or outside of the tank. They don't seem as personable as goldfish, bettas, oscars, or eels. They act like tetras. They only like you when you feed them and don't generally connect you with food. You are furniture in general.

They stress easily and generally do not travel long distances well once over a certain length. They may replant your tank, pulling up plants or accidentally tearing live plants in their chasing. Happy fish will spawn in the tank, but it won't make you happy once you realize the work it take to keep the buggers alive, I mean babies.

These fish are NOT suitable for the average fish owner and should NOT be sold to the general public. The following are NOT suitable for the average tank either:

Red Belly Pacu (24+ inches & schools)
Algae eaters (11 inches)
Dinosaur Bichir (18 inches)
Black Ghost Knife (20 inches)
Striped Peacock Eel (14 inches)
Oscar Cichlid (14-18 inches)
Leporinus Fasciatus (12 inches)
Silver-tipped Shark (14 inches)
Clown Loach (12 inches & schools)
Pangasius Catfish (2+ feet)
Pictus Catfish (10 inches)
Plecostomus (2 feet)
Rubber Lip Pleco (10 inches)
Red Tail Tinfoil Barb (14 inches & schools)
Rainbowfish (8 inches)
Bala Shark (14 inches & schools)
African Brown Knife (12 inches)
Feeder Goldfish (common/comet) & Koi (2+ feet & requires ponds)
Fancy Goldfish (6+ inches, heavy waste load)
Most South American Cichlids (8+ inches)
Some African Cichlids (6+ inches)

With all these fish, a 55 gallon is TOO small. I house guppies, tetras, and fish that get NO MORE than 6 inches in a 55 gallon (and only if the larger fish do not school). All other fish need at LEAST a 100 gallon tank minimum. My personal oscar gets a 125 gallon tank to himself. My seven fancy goldfish and four "Golden Dojo" loaches are in a 220 gallon tank as a minimum.

Pros: active when in a group, shiny!!, community fish mostly, great for biotype tanks

Cons: schooling fish need 6+, gets to be 14 inches, shy when not in a group, need huge tank, need long tank, can break glass of average tanks, fast difficult to catch, easily stressed, will die in moves after certian size

-25points

12of 49voted this as helpful.

Review 20 for Bala Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 20 reviews

I like them

March 5, 2010

by PetOwingIndividual

Top 10 contributor
Vote on helpful content and promote its author.
Top 10 contributor

fromPennsylvania

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

Despite their name these are not real sharks. Some of their features resemble sharks but they are not sharks and their name is mostly for advertisement. The advertisement worked and I bought one and they do get big so a tank bigger than a ten gallon would be best.

+2points

7of 12voted this as helpful.