Compatibility brief
Can Bala / silver shark live with Checkerboard cichlid?
Risky. This mix is commonly discouraged for typical setups.
Bala / silver shark + Checkerboard cichlid: Bala / silver shark may eat Checkerboard cichlid. Bala / silver shark (35cm) is predatory and Checkerboard cichlid (5cm) is small enough to be eaten. This pairing is unsafe. Real tanks add variables Fishori cannot model; treat this as a high-risk read, not certainty.
Compatibility score
Profile confidence: medium
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 Checkerboard cichlid (~5cm) as food once grown — plan adult sizes, not shop sizes.
Assessment details
Compatible temperaments
Both Bala / silver shark and Checkerboard cichlid share a peaceful temperament.
Bala / silver shark may eat Checkerboard cichlid
Top issueBala / silver shark (35cm) is predatory and Checkerboard cichlid (5cm) is small enough to be eaten. This pairing is unsafe.
Compatible temperature range
Both fish can comfortably share similar water temperatures.
Incompatible pH requirements
Bala / silver shark prefers pH 6–7.5 and Checkerboard cichlid prefers pH 3.5–5.5. Their ranges do not overlap.
“Bala / silver shark (35cm) is predatory and Checkerboard…”
Bala / silver shark may eat Checkerboard cichlid
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.
- →Build a species-only tank for the larger fish, or restock with fish too large to be eaten at adult sizes.
- 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.
- Seriously Fish. Dicrossus filamentosus
Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).
- FishBase. Dicrossus filamentosus
Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.
- Wikipedia. Dicrossus filamentosus
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 Bala / silver shark + Checkerboard cichlid
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.