Balas are cyprinids Are you serious about the (Bala sharks) being (fresh water minnows)? <Yes, they are> Cause I have a Bala shark of my own and he actually does look like a minnow.  I was also wondering if when it gets older if I could feed it feeder fish. <Not suggested> I hope you right [write] back, I would really like to hear back from you and you could give me more advice that you know and I don't. <Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ See the Google search tool? Put the term: "Bala Shark" in it... Bob Fenner> 

Freshwater Sharks?  Really Cyprinids - 08/18/2005 Hello Wet Web Media Crew, <Hello, Mark; Sabrina with you, today!> First of all I would like to thank you for the time you have taken to respond to this e-mail. <You bet.> I just purchased a 90 gallon tank from my friend. The tank is in great condition. I am looking to find a freshwater shark, and I was hoping to find some options. I have been doing a lot of research today on freshwater sharks. <I have to assume, if you've been researching, that you know that there are no such true sharks that exist solely in fresh water....  And that the cuties that we refer to as "sharks" (balas, rainbows, red-tails) are actually Cyprinids. Minnows, essentially.> I have read about the small species such as Bala sharks and redtail sharks. <Balas are by no means small, easily capable of reaching over a foot in length.> However, I am interested in getting something larger, but small enough to fit in a 90 gallon tank. <Balas are perfect.> I was wondering if there are any types of freshwater sharks that can fit and live in a 90 gallon freshwater tank. Thank you very much. <See here:   http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/minnowshks.htm  and also here:  http://www.fishbase.com/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=6089&genusname=Balantiocheilos&speciesname=melanopterus .  A small group of balas would be ideal.> Mark <Wishing you well,  -Sabrina>