Bala Shark I think my tank is too small :(

[boobafish]

Hello all I am new here.

I just got my first fish and I seem to have founf a problem.

My tank is 20 gallons. (which i told the guy working at the pet store) I saw the bala sharks and liked them alot. I asked him if there were ok for my tank. he said yes. I asked him if i could get more than one and he said no. So i also got a small angelfish he said would be ok.

So I get home all excited put my new fish in my tank and everything is cool.

I went up to the internet to checkout some more info on my new fish only to find out that the bala shark not only will need a much bigger tank but that it also becomes unhappy without friends.

How long do i have before he is too big for my 20 gallon.(he is under two inches now ,)to save the money to get a bigger tank?

how big does it have to be for a few balas (since they seem to be unhappy without a school)

and in the meantime (if there is a meentime) can i put a couple or even one more of the same size in there with him to keep him happy.

I really like him and dont want to take him back. but i dont want him to be miserable in a tank that is too small while i save for a bigger one. no that the store probobly wont sell him too someone else with a 20 gallon.

I have not even looked up the angelfish yet. he probobly needs a bigger tank too.

thanks for reading , any advice would be grear. or is there anywhere i can get a relatively cheap tank that is the appropriate size for bala sharks?

 

[digital_run]

I'll have to admit i think Balas are cool sharks.... ...You'll either have to get a New tank ( 70 gal min. for a school of em ) or take them back before the problems start....If you can afford a new tank ..well thats great....but adding more of em will just make it harder to give them away when the time comes... In my experience the Ifs guys shouldn't be the only opinion you get before you buy a fish....

Good luck

 

[boobafish]

Well I cannot afford a new tank tomorrow. So how much time unitl he becomes too big for this tank?

 

[mrV]

a) I asked him if there were ok for my tank. he said yes. I asked him if i could get more than one and he said no. []

B) I went up to the internet to checkout some more info on my new fish only to find out that the bala shark not only will need a much bigger tank but that it also becomes unhappy without friends.

c)How long do i have before he is too big for my 20 gallon.(he is under two inches now ,)to save the money to get a bigger tank?

d)how big does it have to be for a few balas (since they seem to be unhappy without a school)

e)and in the meantime (if there is a meentime) can i put a couple or even one more of the same size in there with him to keep him happy.

a) Probably good idea not to do business with that lfs more.

B) First before buying any fish, you should find more information about it. How do you know how to take care of it, if you don't know anything about it? E.g. feeding? Carnivore, herbivore or omnivore - pH/GH/temperature etc...

c) Few months. In smaller tanks they may grow slower and usually stay stunted that it's not a good thing at all.

d) It doesn't matter do you have one or five of them, one still needs same conditions than 5 of them. And yes, it's a shoal fish, so it needs friends. Minimum tank lenght should be 2m (200cm = 78 inches), wide about 60cm (24 inches). Bala shark is large fish and very good swimmer. It also jump out of your tank easily, so remember to use cover glass or something like that...

e) Yes you can, BUT if you aren't sure that you can afford or you have enough room for large tank (at minimum: 200 cm (lenght)*60 cm (wide)*X cm), don't buy any of them more and give your fish away. Hobbiest who have kept (and still keeping) those fishes usually recommend even larger tank - so we are not talking any small tank.

Some basic information about Bala shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus):

1. link
2. link

Sellers have invented nice name to this fish, that has nothing to do with sharks but sell better when there is something exotic in name. Unfortunately those "sharks" are selled alwyas when they are tinies so buyer doesn't get the picture about it how big that fish really is.

My personal opinion is that those fishes shouldn't be selled to home tanks at all, but they sell and seller makes more money

I'll have to admit i think Balas are cool sharks....

If only they were even sharks...

 

[boobafish]

Errr well looks like am probobly going to have to take him back sad to think he will probobly just end up in another 20 gallon tank.

Do you have any opinions or advice on what i can put in the tank with my angelfish after i return the bala?

 

[gixer]

sorry you have to take back you bala, they are lovely fish

What siz is your 20gallon (dimensions) i suspect that may be too small for angels aswell.

Angels need a tall tank (at least 18inches) with plants idealy.

sorry if thats not what you wanted to hear but its best to find the information rather than the fish to suffer.

 

[jams.alaskan]

You've asked some very good questions and have a really great attitude about the welfare of your fish. Your willingness to return (for their benifit) the fish is wonderful. Your 20 gal tank can be a great home for others. Just do the research first and find those treasures that would be happy to be with you!

ALASKA

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I agree, with gixer and alaska. Your tank IMO will be too small for your angel fish. Even if it is higher, I can't imagine my adults in the size.

I also agree with alaska in that you have a very good attitude on keeping fish and that I am sure we will find you fish that are more suitable for your tank.

What else do you have in the tank? Perhaps we can think up fish you like and are suitable before you go to the lfs. Then you'll know if they are spinning you a line...

GL

 

[boobafish]

You know that really makes me mad. the pet shop is just too cheap to hire someone who actually knows something about fish. at least they could admitt they have no idea what they are talking about and have some basic fact books available to offer you.

I dont have anything else in my tank yet.

what a bummer

thanks to everyone for taking the time to answer my questions.

 

[drobbins27]

I'll have to admit i think Balas are cool sharks.... ...You'll either have to get a New tank ( 70 gal min. for a school of em ) or take them back before the problems start....If you can afford a new tank ..well thats great....but adding more of em will just make it harder to give them away when the time comes... In my experience the Ifs guys shouldn't be the only opinion you get before you buy a fish....

Good luck

70gfor a school of balas? Try 150!

 

[boobafish]

ok point taken. so stick with one until i can afford at least a 150g.

so the one i have i can already see he is trying to school with my angelfish. and seems to be bothering the angel fish a little. do any of the fish you listed from your tank school with your bala?

 

[boobafish]

can i put neons in with the bala shark and angelfish or with they get munched?

 

[Cheese Specialist]

can i put neons in with the bala shark and angelfish or with they get munched?

Most wouldn't put neons in with angels unless the angels are small when the neons go in, but then there's still a risk.

 

[drobbins27]

Neons are Angelfish's favourite meal. With angels, they usually end up being very expensive feeder fish.

 

[andieschweigert]

i also have this problem i have 1 bala 2 small goldfish 1 tiger barb and a pleco in a 20 gallon long tank
Will it be big enogh???