New Baby Bala Shark

[grayshark1956]

Finally got the next best thing that I wanted for my birthday (which was to go in shark cage around Australia), I found a bala shark for $4 and he should have been $7. He is about 2.5" long and by finding him I explained to the store that I noticed they had put together rainbow sharks (they call them red tails) and bala sharks. Well, the red tailed sharks were bullying ALL of the balas! They were aggressive and nipping fins, so I explained to the employee they should separate them before the balas suffer anymore and I asked if they could please move balas out to another tank! The employee knew nothing about fish and had no idea this was happening. I asked her to do this as soon as possible or else the balas will get stressed and chewed on, then could die. I'll check back with store to see if anyone cared enough to do this, I am amazed the stores don't care which fish are put together! No brochures, no books, no guides for shoppers, either.

About the bala: I read they grow to about 6" so I hope mine does. This is the closest I will ever come to owning a shark. Would rather be in the water with one, but this will do, as I don't live near any oceans. At least he resembles one in that he is silver/gray with black tipped fins. Had I known they would charge $4 I would have liked two! Even though my birthday isn't that close, this is what I wanted anyway. I am going to read about them and find out how compatible they are. He's doing fine so far, he will certainly be glad to be away from the red tail sharks. But, if anyone owns a bala and can offer tips that would be great! Thanks for reading, I'm going to watch my tank now because the way its arranged is so nice that I can hardly stop looking at it.

 

[CameronN]

Congratulations. I hope you know they grow to about 12-16", not 6". Make sure you tank is big enough.

You might come a lot closer to owning a shark than you were hoping

 

[Essjay]

Balas need a minimum of 75 gallons/280 litres, and as they are shoaling fish you need at least 2 more. have a look in the fish species index on here, under cyprinids.

 

[crazyforcordoras]

Balas should be in shoals of 6 not three.


Happy birthday!

 

[Essjay]

That's what I'd thought only the profile in the fish species index says at least three?

 

[dbanner]

That's what I'd thought only the profile in the fish species index says at least three?

They need groups of 6+ and ALOT more than 75 gal (280 litres). Ideally they need tanks a minimum of 8ft in length x 3ft wide and 2-3ft high. Not only because they get to around 14inches and they need to be in groups of 6+ but also because try are such fast and active swimmers. Not really a fish for the average home aquarium.

As this one is only 2-3 inches at the moment it may be ok in a smaller tank... Say 100-125 gallons but will soon need to be moved on to a bigger tank to give it the space it needs. Especially when you take into account the other 5 to make the minimum size group

 

[Aquascaper]

Bala's can be kept alone, in small groups of 2 - 3 or large shoals but definitely need a huge tank, ie. 6 - 8 foot long (there is a wealth of information aross the internet on them).

Another popular LFS fish sold inappropriately

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

So when are you getting a 12x3x3 foot tank for this Bla Shark, along with ~9 other conspecifics? In all seriousness, this is what these fish need, they are very active skittish fish that can easily reach 40cm.

 

[dbanner]

So when are you getting a 12x3x3 foot tank for this Bla Shark, along with ~9 other conspecifics? In all seriousness, this is what these fish need, they are very active skittish fish that can easily reach 40cm.

Good advice as usual there and you explained it better than I did yet you used fewer words lol

 

[Wills]

Bala Sharks are a really bad fish in the hobby they are incredibly active get huge and in the wild swim in huge swarms all over Asia and dont stay in a small area like some other fish in the hobby.

A tank to keep them fairly would be in the region of 8 foot long and at least 2 - 3 foot wide.

A much much better alternative are Rose Line Sharks AKA Denison Barbs which are similar to these, but have a splash of red to them and also a black and yellow tail. They only get to around 6-7 inches and do better in home aqauria long term as well.

Wills

But, if a bala gets that big than I really can't have one, will substitute another type of shark fish. I am glad you wrote back and gave me info on this shark you mentioned. I guess I could only get a red tail shark when I am able.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/405569-shark-talk/

Why after our lengthy chat did you just ignore me and get you and this poor fish into a whole world of trouble... Seriously if you were not going to listen I wish you would have told me that way I would have just left you to it rather than waste my time writing lengthy explanations as to why the way you are keeping fish is wrong and by doing so trying to avoid you loosing fish, wasting money and adding even more stress...

I am amazed the stores don't care which fish are put together! No brochures, no books, no guides for shoppers, either.

I am going to read about them and find out how compatible they are. He's doing fine so far, he will certainly be glad to be away from the red tail sharks.

Is that not just totally contradictory... research before you buy and learn from it. Infact no, you were explained to at length about why bala sharks are a bad idea for you and still got one, when I explained about them being huge swarming fish from asia you still went and got one.

I am sorry if this comes across as harsh, I know from our previous chat that things are tough for you but you need to take stuff like this on board.


But once again...

Please take this advice on board as so far all you have done is dismiss it

Wills

 

[grayshark1956]

Congratulations. I hope you know they grow to about 12-16", not 6". Make sure you tank is big enough.

You might come a lot closer to owning a shark than you were hoping

I returned him today, can't get a larger tank at the moment. I didn't get anymore fish, and am lacking sleep so that's why I'm not writing too much today.

 

[grayshark1956]

Bala Sharks are a really bad fish in the hobby they are incredibly active get huge and in the wild swim in huge swarms all over Asia and dont stay in a small area like some other fish in the hobby.

A tank to keep them fairly would be in the region of 8 foot long and at least 2 - 3 foot wide.

A much much better alternative are Rose Line Sharks AKA Denison Barbs which are similar to these, but have a splash of red to them and also a black and yellow tail. They only get to around 6-7 inches and do better in home aqauria long term as well.

Wills

But, if a bala gets that big than I really can't have one, will substitute another type of shark fish. I am glad you wrote back and gave me info on this shark you mentioned. I guess I could only get a red tail shark when I am able.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/405569-shark-talk/

Why after our lengthy chat did you just ignore me and get you and this poor fish into a whole world of trouble... Seriously if you were not going to listen I wish you would have told me that way I would have just left you to it rather than waste my time writing lengthy explanations as to why the way you are keeping fish is wrong and by doing so trying to avoid you loosing fish, wasting money and adding even more stress...

I am amazed the stores don't care which fish are put together! No brochures, no books, no guides for shoppers, either.

I am going to read about them and find out how compatible they are. He's doing fine so far, he will certainly be glad to be away from the red tail sharks.

I was misinformed by store and internet, I can't help finding different info than you, I want to get a book on tropical fish and I did ask before the purchase. The bala went back today and he is in a smaller aquarium than mine! I would have had 6 mos to get a larger tank, and thought people wanted me to get a new tank the next day. He wouldn't grow that fast in even a few weeks so I had time to transfer him as he got bigger. But, now decided not to get any sharks.

Is that not just totally contradictory... research before you buy and learn from it. Infact no, you were explained to at length about why bala sharks are a bad idea for you and still got one, when I explained about them being huge swarming fish from asia you still went and got one.

I am sorry if this comes across as harsh, I know from our previous chat that things are tough for you but you need to take stuff like this on board.


But once again...

Please take this advice on board as so far all you have done is dismiss it

Wills

I took the bala back and did not get anymore fish. I did ask and did find answer about them reaching 6" so I tried. No more sharks, I can't get a larger tank right now. I'm happy with my tank, its very natural, live plants, rock cave, all fish are fine. But, harsh, yes it sounded that way but people forgot I would have gotten a larger tank and had plenty of time to do it. He'd be ok for a week. But he is now back in the store's tiny aquarium. Wonder what the store does when they get too big? But I took advice and returned him.

Forgot to mention I did take your advice, won't get a bala or other shark. But I got the impression people wanted me to go ASAP and get a larger tank, I would not make a 14" fish live in a 10 gal tank, and there was enough time to get another tank, probably 6 months. I tried to repeat in as many posts as I could that I intended to get a larger tank, but people may not have understood my words I think.

 

[dbanner]

When in stores, yes they are in very small tanks but the fish are not in those tanks for very long before they get purchased and then hopefully get put in suitable tanks by their new owners. This is an ideal scenario... But, this isn't always the case. There are times, more often than not that fish get purchased and but into unsuitable tanks.

Now that could be due to a staff member giving the customer wrong or misleading information as what happened to yourself... Or... It could be down to the customer just "wanting" that particular fish regardless of whether they have the right size tank to accommodate that fish' needs.

As wills said "research before you buy".. Since I joined this forum iv come to realise just how many fish stores there are out there that DON'T have the fish' long term health in mind and they are just there to sell to you.. Harsh but true, and so I now research any fish I'm interested in beforehand. Saves you a lot hassle in the long run too

We have all made mistakes at some point but this forum and its members can make those mistakes a lot less frequent

 

[Aquascaper]

I have to say I don't think Wills was harsh at all.

You asked for advice and were given it from a reliable source (this forum) but then carried on looking until you found the answer you wanted [I did ask and did find answer about them reaching 6" so I tried] and went ahead and bought the fish. If you look hard enough you'll always find an answer to support whatever decision you're making whether it's correct or not. It sounds like the decision had already been made before Wills got involved and I share his annoyance when situations like this occur, why should people waste their time replying to things if it's a forgone conclusion.

grayshark1956 is not the first, and certainly won't be the last, to do this and it's one of the reasons important members leave forums. It's not a case of 'I know best so listen to me and do as I say' it's a case of the member replying having a genuine concern for something about to go horribly wrong.

Research is the key, find out from as many sources as possible and make your own judgement from the results, but don't go with the advice from 1 source that tells you it's ok when the other 20 say no.

It's horrible to be told you can't do something you want to but this isn't about spending money on a frivolous item of merchandise, this about making a commitment to safeguard the wellbeing of a live animal which may be around for years. No-one can predict the future either so buying a fish with the intention of upgrading the tank is another common annoyance, what if something happens and circumstances change and your left stuck with a soon-to-be-monster fish in a small tank.....there's only one outcome and that's an unhealthy fish.

Apologies for the rant

 

[grayshark1956]

Balas need a minimum of 75 gallons/280 litres, and as they are shoaling fish you need at least 2 more. have a look in the fish species index on here, under cyprinids.

Well, I took the bala back today, he was again placed into their tiny aquarium with red tails that are constantly after all the balas, the store does not care to separate them when I mentioned it, again. They also will not give their hamsters a wheel. I go there because they are very close to me and other stores are farther with heavy traffic both ways. Funny thing, the store will house feeder goldfish in a huge tank and put balas mixed with red tails in a tiny little aquarium, about 1/4 the size of goldfish tank. Can't they change that? I guess its true, some stores care and some don't.