Full Grown Bala Shark: Size, Lifespan, Price & More

The Bala shark is a popular tropical aquarium fish. However, many aquarists are surprised to discover just how large it can grow when fully mature. In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about keeping and caring for a full grown Bala shark.

About the Bala Shark

Scientific Name: Atomaras caudiocellatus

Origin: Major rivers of Southeast Asia such as the Mekong River

Average Lifespan: 8-10 years

Temperament: Generally peaceful as juveniles but can become territorial and aggressive as adults

Size at Full Growth

One of the most surprising things about Bala sharks is just how big they get. On average, a fully grown male Bala shark will reach:

• Length: 12-18 inches (30-46 cm)
• Height: 4-6 inches (10-15 cm)

Some large specimens have been known to reach up to 24 inches in length. Females tend to stay slightly smaller than males.

Weight at Full Growth

The weight of a fully matured Bala shark can vary significantly based on sex and overall size, but on average individuals will weigh:

Males: 1-2 lbs (0.5-1 kg)

Females: 0.5-1.5 lbs (0.25-0.75 kg)

Appearance at Full Growth

As Bala sharks reach sexual maturity, their appearance changes significantly from the juvenile phase:

• Body elongation and flattening - juveniles are rounder bodied
• Dorsal fins become taller and pointed
• Coloration darkens to an olive green/gray with vertical black stripes
• Males develop elongated anal fins for breeding displays

Personality at Full Growth

Unfortunately, the peaceful personality of juvenile Bala sharks often changes as they mature into adults:

• May become more territorial and aggressive towards similarly sized fish
• Needs a large adult tank minimum of 125 gallons or more
• Best kept as solo specimens or in species-only tanks
• Weekly water changes are recommended to reduce stress

Price

Because of their large adult size, full grown Bala sharks typically command a higher price point than juveniles:

• Juveniles (2-3 inches): $10-15 each
• Young adults (5-6 inches): $20-30 each
• Large adults (10+ inches): $50-80 each

Premium, show-quality adult specimens may occasionally sell for even more - upwards of $100-150 each.

Food and Feeding

As they mature, the dietary needs of Bala sharks change accordingly:

• Juveniles: Small feeder fish like brine shrimp, bloodworms 2-3 times daily
• Adults: Pellet foods, algae wafers, frozen foods like mysis shrimp or brine shrimp 1-2 times daily to satiation

High quality nutrition is essential to support their large size as adults.

Lifespan

With proper care, full grown Bala sharks have an average lifespan of 8-10 years. However, many aquarists report them living even longer - up to 12-15 years in excellent conditions.

Health at Full Growth

Some potential health issues to watch for in adult Bala sharks include:

• Fish tuberculosis - treat immediately with antibiotics if diagnosed
• Body lesions or velvet disease - increase water changes and treat with medications
• Malnutrition from improper diet - feed a varied, high quality diet

Care and Nutritional Needs at Full Growth

Caring for an adult Bala shark properly requires:

• Large aquarium minimum of 125 gallons for one adult
• Stable water conditions with pH 6.5-7.5, temperature 75-82°F, and low ammonia/nitrites
• Robust external canister filter suited for 2-3x aquarium volume
• Weekly partial water changes of 20-30% tank volume
• Planted décor and territories/lines of sight for each fish
• Varied, nutritious diet fed 1-2 times daily (see above)

Costing

Raising Bala Sharks to their full adult size comes with significant costs:

• Initial purchase of juvenile fish: $10-15 each
• Large aquarium: $200-400 for a 125-150 gallon tank
• External canister filter: $100-300 depending on brand/flow rate
• Decor, lighting, heater/chiller: $150-250
• Food costs: $10-20 per month depending on number of fish
• Electricity costs: $15-30 per month to run full system
• Potential medication costs if illness occurs

Total startup costs for a quality adult Bala shark habitat range $500-1000 depending on equipment choices.

Possible Behavioral Changes at Full Growth

In addition to becoming potentially territorial and aggressive, other behavioral changes in adult Bala sharks may include:

• Increased activity levels and swimming patterns
• Assertive behaviors like breeding/nipping displays
• More robust feeding responses and food guarding/competition
• Increased bioload from larger size/metabolism

Their temperament shifts must be taken into consideration for aquarium stocking plans.

Notable Characteristics at Full Growth

Some other distinguishing traits of sexually mature Bala sharks include:

• Dark vertical stripes on laterally compressed bodies
• Elongated dorsal and anal fins for breeding displays
• Dark gray/olive coloring versus juveniles' silvery appearance
• Enhanced visual dominance/territorial body language
• Adult males develop kinked anal fins for mating identification

When is a Bala Shark Considered Fully Grown?

Most aquarists consider Bala sharks to reach sexual maturity between 8-12 inches in length, around 2-3 years of age. At this point, their adult coloration/markings have fully developed and behavior/temperament has shifted.

However, some continue growing and changing slightly beyond this size range up to their maximum dimensions. Ultimately, sexual maturity signals the transition to adulthood.

Suitability as a Pet

While immensely popular for their attractive striped patterning as juveniles, the full grown size and temperament of Bala sharks make them better suited for large, professionally-maintained display habitats versus the average home aquarium. Some key considerations include:

• Need at least 125 gallons per individual as adults
• Prone to fighting/nipping with similar sized tankmates
• Demand dedicated, high-quality filtration for their bioload
• Prefer to be kept singly or in species-only groups
• Need an experienced owner committed to their long lifespans
• Require stable water parameters that first-time aquarists may struggle with

While achievable with proper planning and facilities, the scale and care requirements often exceed what many hobbyists are equipped to provide long-term for Bala sharks into adulthood.

A more realistic option is to enjoy them briefly as peaceful juveniles, then rehome to an expert who has the specialized set-up to fulfill their needs at maturity. However, some experienced "fish keepers" are certainly up for the challenge with the right environment.

Final Thoughts

The Bala shark makes an interesting tropical aquarium fish, but one that should only be considered as pets when fully educated about their eventual large adult size and changing temperament. Their care levels up considerably at maturation.

While enjoying them for their first few easygoing years is feasible, serious commitment is required to sustain them properly in the long-run through to old age. Their needs tend to outgrow many typical home aquariums.

With preparation and informed consent, more professional aquariums can absolutely provide lifelong care. But Bala sharks are a very long-term responsibility, not a beginner pet. Let this guide help you decide if you're fully equipped to handle one at its grand mature stage.