Compatibility brief
Can African freshwater butterflyfish live with Bala / silver shark?
Often a workable match in a suitable, well-run tank. Still verify behaviour in your setup.
In many setups, African freshwater butterflyfish and Bala / silver shark are often kept together in a suitable peaceful community when temperature and pH are matched and the tank is sized for adults. Individual behaviour, filtration, and layout still decide whether it works in your home.
Compatibility score
Profile confidence: high
Order of checkstank volume vs adults → predation mouth gap → temperament / fin nipping → shared water windows.
500L
Combined minimum footprint reference for these two species: about 500L (larger active fish often want more length).
Bala / silver shark (35cm adult) may treat small African freshwater butterflyfish (~10cm) as food once grown — plan adult sizes, not shop sizes.
African freshwater butterflyfish is a fin nipper and Bala / silver shark is vulnerable to nipping — long fins are a common target even when water parameters match.
Assessment details
Compatible temperaments
Both African freshwater butterflyfish and Bala / silver shark share a peaceful temperament.
Compatible temperature range
Both fish can comfortably share similar water temperatures.
Next steps
Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.
- •Bala / silver shark should be kept in a group of at least 5 for best health and behaviour.
Try instead
- →Bala / silver shark should be kept in a group of at least 5 for best health and behaviour.
- Seriously Fish. Pantodon buchholzi
Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).
- FishBase. Pantodon buchholzi
Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.
- Wikipedia. Pantodon buchholzi
Secondary: general species context; verify all husbandry numbers against a dedicated aquarium care sheet and your test kit, not a single table row.
- Seriously Fish. Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).
- FishBase. Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.
- Wikipedia. Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Secondary: general species context; verify all husbandry numbers against a dedicated aquarium care sheet and your test kit, not a single table row.
Try this next
Build the full stocking list with African freshwater butterflyfish + Bala / silver shark
Plan further
Try both species in the full-stock tank check, or open either fish profile for mates lists. Methodology explains how verdicts are produced.
Individual fish vary in personality. Fishori uses conservative hobby rules. Observe any new introduction closely, feed thoughtfully, and keep a quarantine or backup plan. This is not veterinary advice.
Profile data confidence: high. Based on multiple reputable aquarium care sources with strong agreement.