New Tank, Looking For Input

[Zen_Fish]

Hi all. Let me start off by saying that I'm new to the forums but have been an aquarist for a good long while now. I am looking to start a second tank and was wondering if you had any input or advice as to the following lineup..

4-6 Bala sharks
4-6 Clown Loach
Black Ghost Knife
Red tailed shark
Pleco? (or some other algae eater if a better fit for the tank or a more exotic one can be suggested as i already have a pleco in my oscar tank =D)

The tank itself is a 75gal.

I'm wondering if there will be any problems between the Ghost and the Pleco, I have one of those clear tube ghost homes that I'm hoping they wouldnt fight over, but who knows.
PLants and hiding spaces will not be a problem for any of them as im trying to provide multiple caves etc while keeping alot of space open for the sharks to roam and swim freely.

Also I've been researching and have noted that red tailed sharks are sometimes aggressive towards their own kind, would that include the bala sharks or does it just mean other red tailed sharks?

If you can make any suggestions of any kind it would be appreciated. The only one of the fish my heart is kinda set on is the black ghost cuz they are just too cool looking. But if you suggest to add a fish or drop a fish I will most definately take it under advisement. Researching fish is half the fun of owning them imo!

Thanks for the help in advance!

Zen

 

[steve_m]

Welcome to the forum Zen

Ive had BGK with many other fish inclueding plecs and not had any problems really.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Hi and welcome to the forum

Hm i wouldn't advise bala sharks, they need at least a 5x2x2ft tank preferably and they can potentially grow over 10inch long each (at the very bare minimum a 4x2x2ft tank for a trio of bala's), so i would avoid getting them if you only have the 75gal for them to go into- a red tailed shark would also most likely become agressive towards bala sharks too.

Do you want an algae eating fish because you have algae in the tank you want a fish to eat, or because you just kinda like the look of a lot of algae eating fish or plecos in general?

 

[Zen_Fish]

I like the look of the algae eaters and I like to keep one "just in case" any algae happens to come about. I'm worried that without an active fish like the Bala sharks that maybe the tank will seem a little too "blah" . Any suggestions of a possible replacement within the given parameters?

also I've heard that some smaller fish can "go missing" with a black ghost present, any truth to this?

Zen

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I like the look of the algae eaters and I like to keep one "just in case" any algae happens to come about. I'm worried that without an active fish like the Bala sharks that maybe the tank will seem a little too "blah" . Any suggestions of a possible replacement within the given parameters?

also I've heard that some smaller fish can "go missing" with a black ghost present, any truth to this?

Zen

Yes ghost knife fish will eat small fish, growing to 20inches long it will also probably outgrow the tank at some point in the future depending on the tanks dimensions;

http/badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile66.html

The people in the Oddball section of the forum will be able to help you out a lot more than what i can with ghost knife fish keeping if you do a thread there, they should also be able to advise some safe tankmates to keep with a black ghost knife fish too .

 

[Zen_Fish]

I'll do that thanks.

I was aware that they grew to 20in, but i prolly should have mentioned that I do have plans to purchase a larger tank in the future. At what point from the purchase of a Bala shark could i reasonably expect it to achieve its 10in length? I know they grow quickly but nhow quickly is quickly? a year? if so, no problem on the new tank.