Bala Sharks

[Michelle4474]

Hello,
I have a 75 gal tank that I am cycling right now. I was wanting to get Bala Sharks and understand that the minimum amount of space for these sharks are 75 gal. but I also understand that you need to buy them in a school of 3. So would three acutally be alright in a 75 gal tank? If not could you suggest another somewhat big fish to go into my tank? Thanks
Michelle

 

[cane76]

ive read on here of people keeping them in a lot smaller than a 75.id say 3 need 100 gallons tho maybe more.they get big and are very active.how about silver dollars??they get big and are schooling fish check em out

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Hello,
I have a 75 gal tank that I am cycling right now. I was wanting to get Bala Sharks and understand that the minimum amount of space for these sharks are 75 gal. but I also understand that you need to buy them in a school of 3. So would three acutally be alright in a 75 gal tank? If not could you suggest another somewhat big fish to go into my tank? Thanks
Michelle

75gal is the absolute minimum for bala sharks, so a group of 3 should be ok in there, what are the tanks dimensions i.e length, height and width? If the tank is mainly length rather than height they should be ok as they need a lot of space to swim up and down in;

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=123786

Mind you they will grow over a foot long, so if you do decide to get them they will take up a lot of stocking space in the tank to keep them- you may also need to adjust the decor/planting in the tank to make it more bala-friendly .

 

[andywg]

I would say anything less than a 6 foot is bad for balas. They are too skittish and fast swimming for anything else.

As they get larger, I would say they need 6x2x2 to allow swimming room. However most people will cram them into a smaller tank.

 

[helsekia]

I have 2 9inch and 2 3inch balas in a 61/2 foot tank.they do gorw over a foot long and they do like lots of room to swim.They spook quite easily so its a good idea to blank any open ends off if there near doorways.Ive filled in one end with plants.they love airflow and mine love swimming through the air curtain

 

[Nim]

I have kept upto 6" specimens in a 5foot tank and I had to return the fish pretty soon a 5foot tank was also too small for these critters. I think anything less then 6 foot will be a no no..They can damage themselves in smaller tanks if spooked.

Nim

 

[Neal]

My brother has a bala in a 15G, and he does fine. Don't flame at me for it, he won't listen to me, his tank is like 3x overstocked...

 

[Nim]

Apparently your brother can live in a house the size of a toilet as well but it does not mean that he will be happy about it and will have hyginic conditions. He may die a lot sooner if he lives in a toilet for a few years.

Nim