Bala Shark Dilemma

[**sarahp**]

Hi all. I need some advice of what to do with my tank. I came down this morning to discover that one of my bala's had died I'm pretty sure it was old age as I got them from a friend about 4 yrs ago and she's had them 4 or 5 yrs then. I took them from her as her tank was too small but to be honest I'm not sure that my tank is really big enough for them.

My tank is 120x50x65cm, 390 litres (103 USgallons 85 Imp gallons) according to the calculator on here. Its well established 8+ yrs, sand substrate. Running a Rena XP3 (1400 l/h) and a Rena XP4 (1600l/h) filters.

Other inhabitants 6x polka dot loach, 6x sterbai corys, 10 neon tetras and 15 guppies as well as the three remaining balas. 2 of the balas are about 20cm and 1 is about 15cm (he is the newest - bought him about 2 yrs ago to make the numbers up to 4)

So here's the dilemma - I know the balas should be in big groups hence why I bought another one 2 yrs ago to make the numbers up to 4 but I'm not sure my tank is really big enough for that. I don't want to give them to the LFS as they will just sell to who ever is prepared to pay regardless of tank set up so they could end up worse off than with me. I'm not sure it's fair to keep them just in a group of three but not convinced my tank can support more.

What do you think is the best thing to do to ensure the balas are happy. Leave them as a three, buy a fourth or try and get rid of them??

All thoughts gratefully received

 

[Munroco]

Unless you find a home for them that you can trust, as long as they seem happy in your tank then I would just keep the three of them. Buying another just moves the dilemna further down the line.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Rather than tell you what you should do, I will quote some very excellent info on these fish and you can decide for yourself. These are three sites I rely on for a lot of information.
 

 

Maximum Standard Length
300 – 350 mm.

Aquarium Size
An aquarium with base dimensions of 240 ∗ 60 cm should be the smallest considered to house a group of adults.

Behaviour and Compatibility
Given its potential size this species is clearly unsuitable for the general community aquarium. Though normally quite peaceful it will also eat very small fishes and can upset slow-moving or more timid tankmates with its constant activity and vigorous feeding behaviour.
 
It’s therefore only appropriate for very large tanks containing robust, similarly-sized tankmates that enjoy the same conditions. There are a number of suitable choices but recommendations include Hypsibarbus wetmorei, Barilius, Cyclocheilichthys, Osteochilus, Barbonymus, Mystacoleucus and larger Garra species.
 
Although it is gregarious by nature this is a shoaling rather than schooling species which develops a distinct pecking order and therefore should always be maintained in a group of five or more. If only two or three are purchased the subdominant fish may be bullied incessantly whereas solitary specimens can become aggressive towards similar-looking species.

from http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/balantiocheilos-melanopterus/
 
 

 
Size/Length: To 16" (40 cm)
 
Aquarium: A tank measuring 32" (81 cm) with a volume of 30 gallons (114 L) is suitable for young individuals. Adults over 10" (25 cm) are recommended to be kept in a tank measuring 72" (183 cm) with a capacity of 100 gallons (378 L). These fish need large open swimming areas, and prefer long tanks. The tank should have well-planted corners and a tight-fitting cover, for these fish jump.
 
Social behavior: An active fish that can be kept in a community tank with small to large fish. This species will not harm plants.
 
Remarks: This active fish grows quickly and needs a large swimming area. The hardy Bala Shark is an excellent jumper that has been known to make audible clicking sounds.

from http/fish.mongabay.com/species/Balantiocheilus_melanopterus.html
 

 
Overview:
Very common in the hobby today the bala shark should be researched before purchased. They grow very large and fast and prefer to be kept in groups. If you have the proper size tank they will reward you with action and peaceful behavior.
 
Quick stats:
 

Listed tank sizes are the minimum​

Size:

Up to 16" (40cm), females smaller

Tank:

48 inches, 72 inches + for adults

Strata:

All, mostly middle

PH:

5.8 to 7.8

Hardness:

Soft to medium. dH range: 5.0 - 15.0

Temperature:

72°F to 84°F (22-29°C)

Maintenance
The Bala shark is one of the easiest fish to maintain it is also one of the most peaceful that minds its own business at all times. The Tank should be large with live plants and also lots of swimming areas, the Bala is a very active fish which will cover all areas of the tank and will go over the substrate picking up pieces of food that were missed by others. It has no specific feeding requirements and will accept all flake food as well as supplemental live. They do best in a water temperature of between 73° to 79°. pH slightly Alkaline to neutral. The only drawback to this great fish is that it grows too large for most home aquariums. The Bala shark is also a skilled jumper so a tight fitting cover is needed.

from http/badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile21.html

 

[Byron]

This is a situation where it would likely do more harm to "improve" things, so it is best to keep the fish where they are, and certainly not add more to them.
 
The average lifespan is given as six years in some sources, so if yours are approaching eight they probably do not have much longer anyway, and staying where they are will cause them less harm than moving them anywhere.
 
Their relative small size for their age (half what they should be by now) is almost certainly the result of insufficient housing.  Most of this would have been done before you got them, as by four years they should have been in an eight-foot tank.  So, given their continued life, apparently "healthy" since you've had them, they have probably fared pretty well considering.
 
Adding more Balas at this point is not advisable for two reasons.  First, younger fish would almost inevitably cause disruption within the existing group which would make the existing fish highly stressed and undoubtedly lead to issues for them.  And second, the tank is about half the length it needs to be for this species to be at its best from scratch.
 
Some may wonder why we advocate large tanks for a species when here we have them living to if not beyond their expected lifespan in less than sufficient space.  This is one of those cases where, as one ichthyologist put it, we just don't know.  Of course, the fact that any fish is still alive does not mean that it is in the best of health.   No one should ever set out to do what has happened here, because with different fish the more expected (= normal) result might well occur.  But here the fish are past the time when there would be much benefit to moving them, and they are obviously receiving the best care possible, and this goes a long way.
 
Byron.