Rocket Fish - Origin, characteristics, detailed farming methods from A to Z
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Rocket fish (silver fish), a freshwater ornamental fish of the carp family, has an impressive appearance like a rocket, sparkling silver color, prominent, easy to raise.
Rocket fish (silver fish), scientific name Balantiocheilos melanopterus, is a freshwater ornamental fish of the carp family, with a long, slender appearance like a rocket, a strange silver color, and stands out in the aquarium.
In today's article, let's learn all the information about nice fish including origin, habits, care and price to really understand them better .
Rocket fish information :
| Scientific name | Balantiocheilos melanopterus |
| Common name | Rocket fish, silver fish, school fish, white leopard fish |
| English name | Bala shark; Tricolor sharkminnow |
| Class | Ray-finned fish |
| Set | Cypriniformes - Carp |
| Surname | Cyprinidae - Common Carp |
| Source | Southeast Asia |
| Size | 30 - 40 cm, adult fish |
| Lifespan |
Origin of rocket fish
Rocket fish is an ornamental fish related to carp.
Rocket fish, also known as silver fish, scientific name is Balantiocheilos melanopterus, this is a freshwater ornamental fish originating from large rivers in Southeast Asia such as the Mekong River, Chao Phraya River, Sumatra River and Borneo.
They live in freshwater areas, large rivers, lakes, where there is a stable flow, usually living in the middle and bottom layers.
Currently, in the natural environment, this fish species is classified as "Endangered" by IUCN due to the increasingly declining wild population, overexploitation, and polluted habitat. However, in the ornamental fish market, most of these fish species are bred in artificial tanks, so there is no impact on individuals in the wild.
Appearance characteristics of rocket fish
The Firefish has an elongated body and a shimmering silver color.
Rocket Fish is likened to a "silver rocket under water" because of its long, slender appearance and extremely eye-catching silver color. Let's learn more about the appearance of this fish.
- Size : 30 - 40 cm in adult fish.
- Shape : Slender, long body, like a torpedo, small head, gradually tapering towards the snout, graceful swimming style.
- Color : Only one metallic silver color with shimmering light reflection,
- Scales : Large, even, reflecting light.
- Fins : Dorsal, ventral and caudal fins all have sharp black edges.
- Tail : V-shaped, with black border.
- Eyes : Big, round, flexible.
Rocket fish behavior
Rocket fish like to live in schools.
Silver carp have a gentle temperament, like to live in schools, are omnivorous... Let's delve deeper into the habits of this fish species.
Like to live in a pack
Firefish are very gentle, rarely fighting or being aggressive with other aquarium fish. Usually they also like to live in small schools of 3 - 5 fish or more.
If you keep them singly, the fish will easily become stressed, bored and inactive in the tank.
Sensitive to sound, light
Firefish have super sensitive hearing, they are easily startled by sudden noises or flashing lights. When panicked, the fish will tend to crash straight into the tank wall and injure themselves. Therefore, when raising this fish, try not to make sudden loud noises.
Like to eat fresh food
Although silver carp are omnivorous, they prefer live foods such as bloodworms, shrimp, and prawns over floating pellets.
Middle and bottom layer activities
This fish species is mainly active in the middle and bottom layers, rarely swimming to the surface of the water, so when designing the tank, in addition to the width, you also need to pay attention to the height of the tank so that the fish can move most comfortably.
Detailed guide to raising rocket fish (silver sand) for beginners
Silver fish like clean, clear water environment.
Currently, rocket fish are very popular in the aquatic world because they have a strong, prominent appearance and are quite easy to raise and adapt. However, if you are a "newbie" player, please refer to the following instructions to raise fish best.
Prepare the tank to raise rocket fish
Rocket fish is a relatively large fish when fully grown, so when preparing a tank to raise this fish, you need to pay attention to the following basics:
- Pond size : Minimum length 1 meter or more with capacity 200 liters.
- Spacious space : The pond needs to be airy, without too many decorations or large aquatic plants or miniature landscapes that obstruct the fish's swimming space.
- Tank lid : Silver carp often jump during the rearing process, so to ensure maximum safety, you need to design a tank with a tight lid.
- Filter and aeration system : Required, strong filtration, strong oxygenation.
Ideal water parameters for silver carp
To help rocket fish grow in the best conditions, you need to prepare tank water that meets the following criteria:
- Temperature : 24 - 28 degrees Celsius.
- pH : 6.5 - 7.5
- Hardness : 5 - 12 dGH
- Water change : 30 - 40% water per week.
What do silver fish/rocket fish eat?
As shared, Silverfish are omnivorous fish, but they will prioritize live food such as baby bait fish, bloodworms, small shrimp, red worms,... In addition, they can eat sinking pellets if they are trained to eat them from a young age.
Common diseases in rocket fish and effective treatment
Firefish are also susceptible to some common diseases such as fungus, fin rot, bloating,... if the water environment is polluted and not guaranteed. Let's learn more about these diseases to know how to handle them.
|
Disease name |
Symptom |
How to handle |
|
Rocket fish with white fungus |
The body and fins of the fish have white spots like grains of salt. Fish swim jerkily, often rubbing their bodies against rocks and lake walls. Fish are lethargic and stop eating. |
Increase the wool temperature by 30 degrees Celsius for 1 week to inhibit fungus growth in the pond. Change water, clean the tank. Use antifungal drugs such as methylene blue. Bathe fish with diluted salt water for 3 - 5 days. |
| Rocket fish with fin rot |
Fin edges are torn, frayed, and have a milky or grayish white color. Worse is the fin deformation |
Isolate sick fish Disinfect the fish with a mild antibiotic such as Tetracycline. Maintain optimal lake water quality. |
| Flaky rocket fish |
The fish's belly is abnormally swollen, and the fish has white, slimy feces. Fish eat less |
Isolate sick fish. Mix antibiotics into food. Use antiparasitic medicine for fish periodically. Limit eating raw foods of uncertain origin. |
Rocket fish price list updated 2025
Currently, the price of rocket fish depends on size, origin,... Let's find out how much the price of this fish species is fluctuating in the Vietnamese ornamental fish market.
| Rocket fish size | Reference price (VND/piece) |
| Rocket size 5 - 7 cm | 40,000 - 60,000 |
| Rocket size 15 - 18 cm | 200,000 - 250,000 |
| Rocket size 20 - 25 cm | 250,000 - 400,000 |
| Rocket max size > 30 cm | Over 700,000 |
Rocket fish/silver sand fish Q&A
What fish should be kept with silver fish/rocket fish?
You can raise rocket fish with some small, gentle fish such as catfish , gourami, sailfish,...
Do silver carp/rocket fish need oxygen?
Yes, this fish needs oxygen to live so you need to have a strong oxygen aeration system in the tank.
Are rocket fish edible?
This fish is not poisonous so you can eat it, however it is more valuable in the aquatic world than in the culinary industry.
Beautiful rocket fish pictures
Let's admire the beautiful, cool moments of the rocket fish, to see why it is considered a "torpedo" in the aquarium.
The Rocket Fish has a sparkling, eye-catching silver color.
The Firefish has a very prominent black edged fin.
Firefish is a beautiful freshwater aquarium fish, easy to raise and suitable for even inexperienced players. And hopefully through the above article of nicefish.net, you will understand more clearly and confidently try raising this fish, this will definitely be a perfect highlight for your aquarium.
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