New Baby Bala Shark

[Crossfire]

Haha, misread the information about Apolo Sharks on google That's what I get for skimming *slaps wrist*

Guilty as charged

I blame the internet...one site suggested a minimum 30 gallon...

 

[raptorrex]

Haha, misread the information about Apolo Sharks on google That's what I get for skimming *slaps wrist*

Guilty as charged

I blame the internet...one site suggested a minimum 30 gallon...

yeah, i guess i read that one too.
thing is all the others said 6x2x2, if they stated a tank size.
some didn't even have a fish size listed.

 

[Flute]

Some of them had only "Size when purchased" as 2-3 inches, as I was rushing to go out I only skimmed and saw that as they grow 2-3 inches max >.< And I saw several sites saying that 30 gallon would be fine too.

I'm sure there must be a shark like species that Grayshark could keep in a 30-40 gallon?

 

[SandraNewbie]

Realised this was a little off topic so I've moved to its own thread.

 

[grayshark1956]

You have been 'given credit' for returning the Bala on several occasions, that is no longer the issue.

You are still ignoring the questions regarding what tank you were planning to rehome it in and what timeframe?

Oh, those questions: there is no point in me answering, I am not going to get a bala or a larger tank anyway, at least for now. Hope you know I am done talking about balas or fish that resemble a shark. I am happy with the tanks I have. I took him back and that should be adequate.

 

[grayshark1956]

Some of them had only "Size when purchased" as 2-3 inches, as I was rushing to go out I only skimmed and saw that as they grow 2-3 inches max >.< And I saw several sites saying that 30 gallon would be fine too.

I'm sure there must be a shark like species that Grayshark could keep in a 30-40 gallon?

Thanks for writing: I won't be getting a larger tank anytime soon but if and when I do, I'll look into possibly smaller sharks, apollo kind? But I am happy with my tanks the way they are and am too busy now to consider getting a larger tank. But thanks for thinking of possible shark fish species I could have, yeah, you'd think there was something in the shark looking family for me. I have not had time to look yet.

Haha, misread the information about Apolo Sharks on google That's what I get for skimming *slaps wrist*

Guilty as charged

I blame the internet...one site suggested a minimum 30 gallon...

Thanks for writing and having a sense of humor about the internet. The more I found on the internet like brackish water or sharks or crabs, the more it becomes not knowing which answers are correct. I know not to rely on store advice and thought the internet was better until I realized there are just too many answers to choose from.

Haha, misread the information about Apolo Sharks on google That's what I get for skimming *slaps wrist*

Guilty as charged

I blame the internet...one site suggested a minimum 30 gallon...

yeah, i guess i read that one too.
thing is all the others said 6x2x2, if they stated a tank size.
some didn't even have a fish size listed.

Here again maybe some can see the more I read on the internet the more I find different answers. If I have to I could contact someone at our zoo, this would be if I cannot find answers anywhere else, they might know. In fact, I hope they do have someone there who is an expert. Just occurred to me it would be my golden opportunity to ask if I could feed their sharks, I know better than to get in tank with them, they are housed in a small tank and I would be shark food!

Realised this was a little off topic so I've moved to its own thread.

Ok, I'll look for it when I have time, thanks!

My general rule:

If you Google something and the hits on the first page all say pretty much the same.....stop looking, even if it doesn't give you the answer you were hoping for

Well, I started out that way because I look for common answers to help narrow down what could be the correct answer. But I am the type who really is looking for best answer.

 

[grayshark1956]

Can we have areality check here, please?

Bala Sharks reach >40cm and need something like a 12x3x3 in my opinion, far beyond most fishkeepers, yes even people that suffer from "more tanks sydrome" like myself (I bought a ~250l 4-footer yesterday for £50 to move my African fish indoors from my garage 5x2x2 for the winter to save on heating costs).

So why after all that has been written about Bala Sharks on this thread, do we have forum members suggesting it is ok to house 12-16 Apollo Sharks in a 36 or 40 gallon tank?

Apollo Sharks grow to 25cm SL, as big as my Synodontis notata, but are more active. A 6x2x2 would be its minimum requirements.

http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/luciosoma-spilopleura/

well said!

as i know nothing about them, luciosoma-spilopleura, I did a quick G??gle.
how anyone could suggest a 40g tank, even with just a cursory search, is mind numbing.
even more so considering the numbers suggested.

its bad enough many of these fish are in ANY LFS. (hands up anybody with a 7,8,9 or 10 foot tank please?)

I'd like to know why stores insist on housing balas with red tails, put them into small tank and have no room for them if they are not purchased and need to be moved. I also would like to know why the store can't take their 200 feeder goldfish and divide them up to go in small tanks so they could put balas in large feeder tank. I mean, if I worked there that is what I would do. I guess they are not considerate about which fish belong in which tank.

 

[grayshark1956]

Unfortunatley, a 10 gallon is too small for an Apollo Shark
It's good that you're taking our advice, but if ever in the future you want a bigger tank, I have an idea for you

Get either a 36 or a 40 gallon tank. A 40 gallon would be preferable. It could be a really big birthday or Christmas gift Then, fill it with sand substrate, and sparse planting, since the Apollo's like open swimming spaces. A tight fitting hood, cycled filter, and a group of maybe 12-16x Silver Apollo Sharks and maybe a small plec like one or two Bristlenose to keep the tank clean. It could be a fun project to do, and since you really want a sharky fish, a very enjoyable product in the end. It may take time, but it will be worth it. Plus, since you know how to take care of them and have adequate tank space for them, people here will not give you such a hard time
Start saving now! And you can always buy the Sharks online, or go to a specialty store

Can we have areality check here, please?

Bala Sharks reach >40cm and need something like a 12x3x3 in my opinion, far beyond most fishkeepers, yes even people that suffer from "more tanks sydrome" like myself (I bought a ~250l 4-footer yesterday for £50 to move my African fish indoors from my garage 5x2x2 for the winter to save on heating costs).

So why after all that has been written about Bala Sharks on this thread, do we have forum members suggesting it is ok to house 12-16 Apollo Sharks in a 36 or 40 gallon tank?

Apollo Sharks grow to 25cm SL, as big as my Synodontis notata, but are more active. A 6x2x2 would be its minimum requirements.

http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/luciosoma-spilopleura/

Hey, I'm glad you mentioned apollo sharks, maybe there is someone who owns them and can clarify their needs. I will keep the tanks I have for now, if I have time much later I will think fish species over, but as it gets closer to winter and xmas I will be busier so I don't know when I would research different fish.

 

[grayshark1956]

You have been 'given credit' for returning the Bala on several occasions, that is no longer the issue.

You are still ignoring the questions regarding what tank you were planning to rehome it in and what timeframe?

I thought I'd write again: I would have gotten the largest tank that would fit into my house but since I am happy with tanks I have and because soon the holidays will be here with leaf raking, cooking, and xmas, I will think about fish another time. I do dread taking a new fish from a store to my car when its 25 degrees, even though my car has a good heater I still rush a new fish home so it cannot have a problem with temp change anywhere along the way.

 

[grayshark1956]

You have been 'given credit' for returning the Bala on several occasions, that is no longer the issue.

You are still ignoring the questions regarding what tank you were planning to rehome it in and what timeframe?

Oh, here is your post again, I answered somewhere thismorning about tank size and timeframe now is getting so close to leaf raking, holidays and cooking that I would put this off plus I am happy with my tanks and dread getting new fish and taking it to my car when its 25 or 30 degrees and getting it home alright, I would certainly use my car heater when transporting. Its easier buying fish when its not so cold here.

I think dbanner was referring to the chemicals, etc. rather than decor and equipment.

Oh I see now, it is easy to misinterpret what people say sometimes, I took this another way. But yeah, too many chemicals or wrong chemicals would hurt a fish.

 

[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.fishforum...569-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

Yep, it sure did come across as harsh. The bala is still at the store in the 13" x 13" overstocked tank. It would have been more constructive to hear an explanation that was more helpful.

 

[grayshark1956]

But you mention stress in fish would be considered an emergency in your eyes.....what about a fish smacking into the tank glass every few minutes as it tries to exercise and turn around? Do you not think that would cause it stress?

You don't seem to want to address the underlying issue that 15 days before you got the Bala you were given a huge amount of detailed information on the fish (by Wills), all of which you agreed to hearing elsewhere and you stated that you would not get a Bala until you could adequately house it in aforementioned 8 foot tank or similar. What changed in those 15 days? It certainly wasn't the information on the fish but more you attitude to seeing them in your LFS at a very reasonable price and thinking 'I'll get one anyway and hopefully get a bigger tank in the future'.

This whole thread has now turned into a good explanation of why such an attitude within the fishkeeping community isn't healthy for fish and needs to be addressed.

You are not the only one to do this so don't take it so personal, at least you made the right decision in the end. Others don't and choose to ignore the advice but when it comes to a problem with the fish later on they find many people unwilling to help.

I got scolded here after I bought the bala, people could have worded their comments differently. I have a great attitude and maintain my tank. It is not helpful with other attitudes I read about with this topic. I guess the problem is others could share information better than scolding, I returned the fish, you should sleep better now.

 

[grayshark1956]

You have been 'given credit' for returning the Bala on several occasions, that is no longer the issue.

You are still ignoring the questions regarding what tank you were planning to rehome it in and what timeframe?

Oh, I was granted credit? Why bother to explain new tank? it should not matter, fish was returned. Why keep asking for details when I returned the fish? Maybe I will get that bala as soon as I set up my new tank, he will still be cramped in that tiny overstocked tank at the store.




Oh, here is your post again, I answered somewhere thismorning about tank size and timeframe now is getting so close to leaf raking, holidays and cooking that I would put this off plus I am happy with my tanks and dread getting new fish and taking it to my car when its 25 or 30 degrees and getting it home alright, I would certainly use my car heater when transporting. Its easier buying fish when its not so cold here.

I think dbanner was referring to the chemicals, etc. rather than decor and equipment.

Oh I see now, it is easy to misinterpret what people say sometimes, I took this another way. But yeah, too many chemicals or wrong chemicals would hurt a fish.

 

[grayshark1956]

Some of them had only "Size when purchased" as 2-3 inches, as I was rushing to go out I only skimmed and saw that as they grow 2-3 inches max >.< And I saw several sites saying that 30 gallon would be fine too.

I'm sure there must be a shark like species that Grayshark could keep in a 30-40 gallon?

Thanks for writing: I won't be getting a larger tank anytime soon but if and when I do, I'll look into possibly smaller sharks, apollo kind? But I am happy with my tanks the way they are and am too busy now to consider getting a larger tank. But thanks for thinking of possible shark fish species I could have, yeah, you'd think there was something in the shark looking family for me. I have not had time to look yet.

Haha, misread the information about Apolo Sharks on google

That's what I get for skimming *slaps wrist*

Guilty as charged

I blame the internet...one site suggested a minimum 30 gallon...

Thanks for writing and having a sense of humor about the internet. The more I found on the internet like brackish water or sharks or crabs, the more it becomes not knowing which answers are correct. I know not to rely on store advice and thought the internet was better until I realized there are just too many answers to choose from.

Haha, misread the information about Apolo Sharks on google

That's what I get for skimming *slaps wrist*

Guilty as charged

I blame the internet...one site suggested a minimum 30 gallon...

yeah, i guess i read that one too.
thing is all the others said 6x2x2, if they stated a tank size.
some didn't even have a fish size listed.

Here again maybe some can see the more I read on the internet the more I find different answers. If I have to I could contact someone at our zoo, this would be if I cannot find answers anywhere else, they might know. In fact, I hope they do have someone there who is an expert. Just occurred to me it would be my golden opportunity to ask if I could feed their sharks, I know better than to get in tank with them, they are housed in a small tank and I would be shark food!

Realised this was a little off topic so I've moved to its own thread.

Ok, I'll look for it when I have time, thanks!

My general rule:

If you Google something and the hits on the first page all say pretty much the same.....stop looking, even if it doesn't give you the answer you were hoping for

Well, I started out that way because I look for common answers to help narrow down what could be the correct answer. But I am the type who really is looking for best answer.

I found my answer,...will get red tails or balas as soon as I get my new tank set up, and could get a whole shoal! They will all still be in the store in that cramped 13" x 13" overstocked tank anyway. I know info on internet varies, but originally read balas grow to 6". The comments here were not helping like I thought. I'll decide for myself which fish to buy, as I know better than to write about future purchases.

 

[Electric Warrior]