Where Does Bala Shark Live?

Bala Shark lives in specific habitats. Knowing where to look helps you find and identify it.

Where to find Bala Shark

Water type

freshwater

Depth

Typically found in mid-water to upper water columns of large rivers and lakes.

Environment

Inhabits large to medium-sized rivers and lakes, often preferring clear, flowing water. They are pelagic, meaning they live in the open water column rather than near the bottom or in dense vegetation. They undertake seasonal migrations into flooded forests during the rainy season for spawning and feeding.

Geographic range

Historically found throughout the Mekong and Chao Phraya river basins, and on the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. However, its range has significantly contracted, and it is now considered extinct in the Chao Phraya basin and possibly in parts of the Mekong. Remaining populations are fragmented and primarily found in Sumatra and Borneo.

Explore Bala Shark