Confused about Bala Shark

[Rhino_H]

I seem to find totally conflicting descriptions of this fish. I just acquired a 5" or so Bala on the premise that this was peaceful (LFS said peaceful community, and I read several descriptions that said it is good with even small fish.) However, I have since found several descriptions that it is at least semi-aggressive and apparently (my wife told me, haven't seen the damage yet) he just took a chunk out of my pl*co (at least the tail, to be fair the Bala seems to have decided the middle of the tank is his and the pl*co was spinning around in that territory.)

Is this a peaceful fish, mean fish or varies widely?

(PS, he's scared of my gourami which is much smaller than the bala, the bala scares the Tiger Barbs, who in turn scare the gourami... makes no sense.)

 

[smb]

It's a peaceful fish, IME, although semi-aggressive is relative. The tiger barbs and gourami you have could also be considered semi aggressive.

Given the fact that you just put him in the tank he might just be adjusting to it. I've never known a bala shark to stake out a territory and defend it tho. They usually like swimming all over the place.

They like to be in schools and I have never had just one before. I wouldn't worry about it much unless it keeps up after a week or unless he actively searches the other fish out to nip.

They get up to 16" big. What size tank do you have?

 

[Rhino_H]

I have 38g tank, 36" x 12" x 18"ish. I actually purchased three Sharks (the other two are smaller, maybe 3" tops and really shy so far) which I know will grow too large for the tank at some point but the LFS will take them back when that happens (who knows, I may be able to get a larger tank by then, but I doubt it.) My wife is very fond of the fish for some reason, so I gave in and bought them.

Thanks, I'll keep an eye on him. Maybe its just my imagination about the territoriality... seems like it tho

 

[revengeishere]

Yes, I agree with SMB, bala sharks are sually peaceful, I have 1 in my 75 gallon, and he is all over the place, he seems to be the gentle ginat in my tank...lol(although, mine isnt a giant, yet..hehe).

 

[Fish_Dude619]

I've got 2 Bala Sharks and they are peacefull. They just swim alone by themselves.

 

[Rhino_H]

Thanks for the replies. I've been watching all day and he seems fine, all over the place but settled and not at all aggressive. I'm not so worried but I'll keep watch just in case.

 

[smb]

That's good news.

Sounds like the lil guy might have just been a bit scared and had to get his bearings. I'm sure he'll be ok and swimming around and ignoring the others in no time.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[loachylover]

i really think it is the nature of each individual fish. I have 1 bala(4") in with a shoal of neons and for the last four months he has not bothered with them one bit. But a friend of mine had a 5" bala and witnessed his bala killing and eating a neon

But in my opinion they are peaceful fish who mind their own buisness