Bala Shark Tank Mates?

[foxy_lady126]

A couple days ago i bought a pair of bala's, each one about two inches long. I saved the poor things from Wal-Mart, where I normally wouldn't buy a fish but I felt the need to rescue them. I've got them in a twenty gallon tank [yes I know it's reccommended that they live in a minimum 75g or so but as a kid i had one in the same size tank for several years and he did just fine so i'm not looking for comments on that ]

So my question is what's next? I'd love a group of smaller fish like tetra's and then possibly some livebearers or a gourami..i'm just not sure.

The other thing is I designed my tank to match my room The colors are red, black, grey, and white; the fish don't neccesarily need to be these colors but it would be nice.

So if anyone has any suggestions i would love to hear what you think!

Here is a pic of the tank and the little darlings (cell pictures, forgive the quality):

The Tank

Bruce & Bella

Getting Used to Their New Home

 

[three-fingers]

A couple days ago i bought a pair of bala's, each one about two inches long. I saved the poor things from Wal-Mart, where I normally wouldn't buy a fish but I felt the need to rescue them.

Now the manager of that particular walmart will think "oh look, those balas sell well, lets order more in". And I doubt even 1% of all balas sold ever make it to appropriate tanks. Though I do applaud you on your intent .

I've got them in a twenty gallon tank [yes I know it's reccommended that they live in a minimum 75g or so but as a kid i had one in the same size tank for several years and he did just fine so i'm not looking for comments on that ]

That's a shame, cos your going to get them anyway .
Bala sharks are Cyprinids, so the following post (the quote from nmonks) is pretty appropriate: [URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?s=&showtopic=183660&view=findpost&p=1517892"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?s=&amp...t&p=1517892[/URL]
Basically, you stunted your fish, and that is very bad for them. The same is going to happen if you keep these balas in your 20gal.

So my question is what's next? I'd love a group of smaller fish like tetra's and then possibly some livebearers or a gourami..i'm just not sure.

What's next? Well, since you bought them, it is your responsibility to make sure they are adequately cared for. 75gals? Not really the best in my opinion for a schooling fish that reaches over 12". Here's a quote from wikipedia that explains quite well:

Very young Bala sharks are sometimes kept in small aquaria. However, given their adult size, schooling behaviour, and swimming speed, the fish quickly grow to need much more room. Hobbyists continue to debate over acceptable minimum tank sizes, but generally recommend at least a 6 feet tank. FishBase lists a minimum of 150 cm (5 ft). Many believe the fish is simply too large and too active to be kept in commercial aquaria at all; only enormous, custom-built tanks are acceptable, if any tank at all is. Indoor ponds are also considered feasible housing options and may be better suited to the average aquarist.

My advice is to spend time looking around for people with large enough tanks to take them, try the buy sell and swap section on this forum or others, or maybe speak to the people at a good lfs. You could always buy a massive tank too .

The other thing is I designed my tank to match my room The colors are red, black, grey, and white; the fish don't neccesarily need to be these colors but it would be nice.
So if anyone has any suggestions i would love to hear what you think!

Instead of balas, I'd personally probably go for something like a few platies pick colours that match your room), some corydoras and maybe a blue opaline gourami . If I wanted tetras I'd go for black neons .

Nice tank btw.

 

[foxy_lady126]

Lol dang it I was hoping i could get away with that

Does Wal-Mart take fish returns? I suppose I'll need to find that out because I don't know anyone who even has a fish tank.

And my lfs isn't so local...just under an hour away.

If you don't mind a silly question...what is so bad about stunting their growth? The bala we had in my family fish tank of the same size seemed perfectly healthy for the six or so years we had it till we had to give it away.

And thank you, I'm pretty proud of my little tank

 

[*Fishkies*]

Stunting the growth of a fish isn't fair to the fish. He isn't allowed to grow to his full potential and be the fish he should be. The organs of the fish would be smaller and the fish may not function as well as if he were to grow normally and live appropriatly.

It's like stunting a person and not allowing them to grow to their full 5' 6" potential. Bad example but you get the idea.

Wal-Mart should take the fish back with receipt. However every store is different. So check it out or call down to the store and ask as soon as you can about returns.

Nice looking tank though!

 

[foxy_lady126]

Stunting the growth of a fish isn't fair to the fish. He isn't allowed to grow to his full potential and be the fish he should be. The organs of the fish would be smaller and the fish may not function as well as if he were to grow normally and live appropriatly.

It's like stunting a person and not allowing them to grow to their full 5' 6" potential. Bad example but you get the idea.

Wal-Mart should take the fish back with receipt. However every store is different. So check it out or call down to the store and ask as soon as you can about returns.

Nice looking tank though!

Sending Them back would basically be dooming them to a tragic end The dumb butts there actually killed one trying to catch it for me, I felt like such a horrible person

Anywho thanks for the advice, I'll see what I can do!