sharks

[wrs]

my brother likes sharks, he has 1 bala shark in a 15g tank. we know it gets 2 big but the store wont take it back, soooo were stuck w/it. he wants 2 keep it but it will get 2 big, are there any kinds that wont be 2 big or agressive? and we minght get a 55g tank in Nov. but it will be 4 cichlids. what should we do w/it?

 

[ryan]

Well Balas are shoaling fish that should be in a group of three at least, they can reach over 12" and need plenty of swimming room so IMO 125-180 gallons is the minimum. Try another store, most will take fish back.

 

[wrs]

but what do i do w/the 1 i have? the only way they would take it back is if it was dead, and id never put it down because the max. size of it.

 

[Ruby Shark]

I think Ryan was saying that you should try "another" store...meaning that some fish stores will take fish off of your hands even if you didn't buy them from there. I know that my lfs does.

In my opinion I don't think that any sharks should be kept in a 15 gallon. The smallest sharks (Rtb sharks and Ruby/Rainbow sharks) get six inches but they will not be happy once full grown in a tank that small. I would recommend a 20 gallon(some would even say that's too small) minimum for one of those guys with a few active/hardy fish. His other fish would probably get terrorized to death if one was kept in anything smaller as well.

 

[ryan]

Yep, try another lfs. Most will accept fish in return for store credit even if you didn't purchase the fish there.

 

[wrs]

1 more question. so my mom said yes to getting a 55g tank in the summer, so i dont know should i return them because theyll be 2 big then, or just keep it and move it?

 

[Ruby Shark]

1 more question. so my mom said yes to getting a 55g tank in the summer, so i dont know should i return them because theyll be 2 big then, or just keep it and move it?

How big is the shark and what other fish are in the tank?

 

[wrs]

the shrk is like 3 inches now. he wants, being my brother, wants 2 get oscars, but thats never going 2 happen. so its going 2 have some severums, convicts, and maybe a african cichlid. we also have an angel fsih that minght go in there if it gets 2 big, and his irredecnt sharks.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Too long a wait. Anyways, if you wait and put it in the bigger tank, you'll only have to give it away later and it'll decrease the amount of other fish you can put in.

 

[Ruby Shark]

I meant what fish is he is with now(the 15 gallon)? lol

In my opinion, that is also too many big fish for a 55 gallon. How many Id sharks does he have??? They get massive and would not be happy in a tank that size...if they even live long enough.

I know how he feels...I love all of the shark species and would die to have an Id shark. They are very attractive. But, you have to take into account that these fish are real living things that NEED to have a proper living space. You (and I'm talking in general...not you specifically) need to put their needs first instead of what you want.

Why don't you suggest that he get a nice Rtb or Rainbow shark once he get's the 55 gallon and give the other ones to a lfs?

 

[Nina7777]

I have to agree with everyone else. you definately need to get rid of the iradescants. As far as the bala goes though, How long are we talking here untill you get the 55 gallon? Despite what many people say/think. A bala shark (when still a baby) can do well in a smaller tank. (as long as it is not already skiddish and freaking out.) I grew two of mine out in a 30 gallon along with 2 chinese algae eaters, convict cichlid, and 3 clowns. When they reached around 6 inches each I bought the 55 gallon and moved them. Now I have one at 8 inches and 2 at 2 inches in my 55 gallon.

IMO if its only a month or two.....you can keep your bala as long as your ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE that you are getting the 55 gallon.

cringes in anticipation of the yelling that is about to come

 

[wrs]

well as 4 the id sharks, it takes them 11 yrs 2 get to full size, some1 that has them told me thats how long it took theirs, and theyre only 1 inch and 1.5 inches. i was positive about getting the bigger tank, but maybe not right now, but im going 2 get a maybe 30 over the summer instead. i just have 2 get a car first so i can go and get one w/out my mom or dad being able to say no.
i dont know how long it takes the balas but this one isnt that big, 2 inches id say. maybe a bit bigger if the tail is included.

and if we r 2 get a bigger tank, well either combine what we have now, or get keep them were they r and get cichlids, wouldnt the rtb or rainbow sharks kill them?

 

[Nina7777]

a 30 gallon is nowhere big enough for the iradescants nor the bala's. I would rethink your situation and trade em in. You can replace them with smaller fish that will be just as beautiful and entertaining.

 

[ketyana]

At the end of the day in my opinion it does not matter when you are getting a bigger tank

Bala sharks are schoaling fish and they get big you have only two options that are fair to that poor fish
1) get rid of the one you have to a local fish shop
2) get a 100+ gallon tank and get more

The 50 tank is irrelevent, its not big enough to keep that fish because its not fair to keep it alone
The size of the fish and moving it when its bigger is irrelevent because you have an over crowded tank at the moment and you need more of the bala's to be fair to the fish
You will stunt the fishes growth if it remains in a tank that size, and that is hugely unfair to your fish!

 

[Nina7777]

You will stunt the fishes growth if it remains in a tank that size, and that is hugely unfair to your fish!

Actually quit the opposite. Keeping a bala in a smaller tank will not stunt its growth. The bala will continue to grow to its full size, but it will be cramped and barely have room to move and then you will be forced to trade it in anyways.