Bala Shark?

[l.michelle]

I searched through the site on the search function for bala shark but didn't find anything that useful. I am debating getting some but I know nothing about them. Can anyone help me with these questions i have?

Tank size:
Temperature:
Plantlife:
Decorations:
How many:
Temperment:
Ideal water stats:

I want to know as much about them as I can before I buy any.

Thanks for any help!!

 

[nukeonekitty]

Well the most important thing to know is that they get really big (like a foot) and will demand a very big tank in a short while! Unless you have like 100+ gallon tank or are counting on upgrading as your fish grow I would advice against buying them...

 

[ox5477]

I searched through the site on the search function for bala shark but didn't find anything that useful. I am debating getting some but I know nothing about them. Can anyone help me with these questions i have?

Tank size:
Temperature:
Plantlife:
Decorations:
How many:
Temperment:
Ideal water stats:

I want to know as much about them as I can before I buy any.

Thanks for any help!!

Tank size: Shoaling fish so group of 5 or 6 needs prob 120G to 150G tank
Temperature: 78F does well for most tropical fish and is what my bala's live at
Plantlife: Anything really, won't harm the plants to my knowledge
Decorations: Anything again but try not to have too many sharp edges.... they are quite skiddish and run into things when they get spooked and could hurt themselves... mine consistenly have scales missing from running into things
How many: Shoaling, atleast 5 or 6 for a happy group....if you have a bigger tank, then the more the merrier
Temperment: very peaceful and can work with almost all community fish... would stay away from more aggressive fish as these guys are lovers, not fighters. Although I am planning on putting them with an Oscar when I get my new tank (the oscar is much slower and should cause no problems to the bala's).
Ideal water stats: normal water stats with temp 78F or so and pH from 7.0 to about 7.5

O and just thought of this... to go with decorations, i would say keep to a minimum.... they are def swimmers and will pace up and down your tank so the more swimmin room you give them, the better (also cuts down on the things they run into when they get spooked.... here is a pic of my tank showing the open space:

wow... just realised that this is an old pic, I've changed it a pic since this was taken, made a few additions too

 

[sparklefuzz]

Bala sharks, unless I am mistaken, are also known as Silver Sharks... maybe if you search for that name, you'll have more luck, although... ox5477 seems to have most info covered

 

[raptorrex]

Tank size: Shoaling fish so group of 5 or 6 needs prob 120G to 150G tank
Temperature: 78F does well for most tropical fish and is what my bala's live at
Plantlife: Anything really, won't harm the plants to my knowledge
Decorations: Anything again but try not to have too many sharp edges.... they are quite skiddish and run into things when they get spooked and could hurt themselves... mine consistenly have scales missing from running into things
How many: Shoaling, atleast 5 or 6 for a happy group....if you have a bigger tank, then the more the merrier
Temperment: very peaceful and can work with almost all community fish... would stay away from more aggressive fish as these guys are lovers, not fighters. Although I am planning on putting them with an Oscar when I get my new tank (the oscar is much slower and should cause no problems to the bala's).
Ideal water stats: normal water stats with temp 78F or so and pH from 7.0 to about 7.5

O and just thought of this... to go with decorations, i would say keep to a minimum.... they are def swimmers and will pace up and down your tank so the more swimmin room you give them, the better (also cuts down on the things they run into when they get spooked.... here is a pic of my tank showing the open space:

wow... just realised that this is an old pic, I've changed it a pic since this was taken, made a few additions too

lol its all here!! nice post ox5477

 

[ox5477]

Thanx guys! I love my balas!

 

[l.michelle]

Wow, thanks so much for your detailed reply!! It is definately not something i am going to jump into without knowing the stuff. I am thinking of upgrading my stuff and have seen so many of these sharks that i thought it would be neat.

Another thing i completely forgot to ask, is what do they eat?

 

[ox5477]

Wow, thanks so much for your detailed reply!! It is definately not something i am going to jump into without knowing the stuff. I am thinking of upgrading my stuff and have seen so many of these sharks that i thought it would be neat.

Another thing i completely forgot to ask, is what do they eat?

They are def omnivores. I feed mine alot of things....but the strangest is that their absolute favorite thing to eat are algae wafers. Bala's are funny in the fact that when they are content, they make a noise like say a cat purring but it's like a clicking noise. put an algae wafer or two in the tank and just listen... it's quite cool. I also feed them flake, cichlid pellets, brine/river/mysis shrimp, bloodworms, peas, and i think i've seen them nibble at the cucumber i'll put in for my pleco.

 

[emma12321]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=123786

from the fish index

Emma

 

[l.michelle]

haha thanks!! i don't know how i missed it. probably my searching for 'bala shark' lol.