Compatibility brief
Can African freshwater butterflyfish live with Bala / silver shark?
Caution. Check the issues below before buying.
Compatibility score
Profile confidence: medium
How we decideFishori checks adult size and predation risk, behaviour, water requirements and tank needs before giving a verdict.
500L
Combined minimum footprint reference for these two species: about 500L (larger active fish often want more length).
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.
Fin nipping risk
Top issueAfrican freshwater butterflyfish is a known fin nipper and Bala / silver shark has long, flowing fins. African freshwater butterflyfish will likely harass Bala / silver shark.
Compatible temperature range
Both fish can comfortably share similar water temperatures.
“African freshwater butterflyfish is a known fin nipper and…”
Fin nipping risk
Next steps
Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.
- •Avoid keeping African freshwater butterflyfish with long-finned fish like Bala / silver shark.
- •Bala / silver shark should be kept in a group of at least 5 for best health and behaviour.
- •Bala / silver shark reaches ~35cm: tank length and turning room matter more than the litre number. A tall, short tank of the same volume is not equivalent.
- Seriously Fish. Pantodon buchholzi
Supports: aquarium size, water chemistry, temperament and compatibility (primary care reference).
- FishBase. Pantodon buchholzi
Supports: taxonomy and wild maximum size — translate to tank stocking, not a target number.
- Wikipedia. Pantodon buchholzi
Supports: general species background and common-name orientation only.
- 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
Check each species’ mates list, size the glass, then verify the full stock in the builder. 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. Checked against several solid care sources that mostly agree.