Minimum Tank Size

[snake007]

What would be a suitable sized tank to house a whole school of balas in?

Thanks

 

[Wills]

Minimum standards = minimum expectations. Some people keep them in 6x2x2 or even 5x2x2 but realistically these are huge fish for the home aquarium you need to be thinking much bigger ideally a very large square tank so they can swarm properly rather than swim 6 foot one way then back again. Something like an 8x8 foot would be quite good but just keep going till you run out of space.

That said though given how much they are now weighted in the hobby even a 4x2x2 would be better than the death that most of them must face. Lets face it they are in shop tanks in their dozens - how many of them will make it to even a 4 foot tank? You dont see that many adults taken in by shops unfortunately so you can see what Im saying

They are an irresponsible fish in the hobby - as in shops stock them because of the shark appeal but realistically the amount of people that actually want them knowing all the facts about them must be a tiny tiny number compared to whats actually available.


Back to you though - your next plan is a 4x2x2 right? Go for Denison Barbs, pretty similar in appearance, same level of activity, more colour, much more manageable size - its the same argument as Common Plecs and Bristlenoses or Bulldog Plecs - there is always an alternative to a monster in the making. The only one I cant figure out a proper option for is Oscars...

Wills

 

[snake007]

Very good reply Wills!

I love Denison barbs but the price is what put me off, I guess I will have to add them slowly.
Im going for those now, very nice fish!

Thanks

 

[Wills]

Cool Shop around for them the price has come down a lot recently that I have seen. This isnt a bad price and quite a reputable ebay shop - not sure of your thoughts on posting fish. http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PUNTIUS-DENISONII-RED-LINE-TORPEDO-BARB-4-5CM-/270888008143?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item3f122ef9cf

I have had some fish from him before and it was fine.

Wills

 

[lloyd]

You should look into spaner barbs. there not so colourful but have loads of personality. Puntius denisoniis still nreaqch a good size, your tank could do with being a little bigger imo

 

[snake007]

Cool Shop around for them the price has come down a lot recently that I have seen. This isnt a bad price and quite a reputable ebay shop - not sure of your thoughts on posting fish. http/www.ebay.co.u...=item3f122ef9cf

I have had some fish from him before and it was fine.

Wills

Thats a good price, do they charge delivery for each individual fish or one delivery charge for many?