What is the average size of a bala shark?

The bala shark grows up to 13 inches long. A large, triangular dorsal fin located on its back often gives this fish the appearance of a shark, but it isn't a true shark.

The bala shark is usually sold as a juvenile before it reaches its adult size, which often leads buyers to purchase a tank that the fish outgrows in a couple of years. Because bala shark is a schooling fish, it should be kept with about three to five other bala sharks. If there are no other balas in the tank, the fish may become agitated or anxious. Three to five 13-inch bala sharks require a lot of space, leading many experts to conclude that a 2-meter tank, at minimum, is required.