Compatibility brief
Can Agassiz’s dwarf cichlid live with Bala / silver shark?
Risky. This mix is commonly discouraged for typical setups.
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 Agassiz’s dwarf cichlid (~5cm) as food once grown — plan adult sizes, not shop sizes.
Agassiz’s dwarf cichlid 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
Temperament difference
Agassiz’s dwarf cichlid is semi-aggressive, while Bala / silver shark is peaceful. Expect chasing or stress unless the tank is large and heavily structured — monitor closely.
Bala / silver shark may eat Agassiz’s dwarf cichlid
Top issueBala / silver shark (35cm) is predatory and Agassiz’s dwarf cichlid (5cm) is small enough to be eaten. This pairing is unsafe.
Fin nipping risk
Agassiz’s dwarf cichlid is a known fin nipper and Bala / silver shark has long, flowing fins. Agassiz’s dwarf cichlid will likely harass Bala / silver shark.
Compatible temperature range
Both fish can comfortably share similar water temperatures.
“Bala / silver shark (35cm) is predatory and Agassiz’s dwarf…”
Bala / silver shark may eat Agassiz’s dwarf cichlid
Next steps
Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.
- •Provide plenty of hiding spots and visual breaks so Bala / silver shark can escape if harassed.
- •Avoid keeping Agassiz’s dwarf cichlid 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.
Try instead
- →Build a species-only tank for the larger fish, or restock with fish too large to be eaten at adult sizes.
- Seriously Fish. Apistogramma agassizii
Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).
- FishBase. Apistogramma agassizii
Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.
- Wikipedia. Apistogramma agassizii
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 Agassiz’s dwarf cichlid + 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.