bala shark

[lennym75]

hi there,
I was wondering, we have just bought a bala shark. Im very impressed with it, i have called it Shimmy, lol anyway are there ok on there own, as ive been told they should be in 2's or 3's. we now have more fish in our tank and a breeding net. we have a 20 gallon tank.

1 common plec which is the biggest he is 6 inches
1 gibbiceps plec
1 bala shark
1 dalmation molly
4 guppies, 1 male 3 females
7 neon tetras
2 little fish that look like mini trout - danio's, is this right?
3 platies

 

[k2snowboards88]

I don't know if they're allright on their own. But you sould know that they grow to 7 inches minimum. Often they grow to a foot long. You will need a larger tank down the road.

 

[CFC]

Read this http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?act=ST...t=0#entry445758

 

[bunjiweb]

In my local fish shop at the moment they have a 14" Bala Shark that is around 5" wide!!!

I would suggest you re-think your tank arrangements, or take the fish back.

Your tank is already overstocked and a bala shark really doesnt help things.

Ben

 

[Cheese Specialist]

not only is your tank far too small for a bala (they need to be in groups and in a 5ft tank), I am afraid that your common plec and gibby are going to get massive. Around 18" is normal for these and they are very, very messy.

Sorry, just thought it was better for you to know.

 

[lennym75]

B) hi there
my tank does'nt seem to be over crowded, my gibbiceps is still a baby, so maybe down the line we will need a bigger tank, but just now im just enjoying the sensation. im just new to the fishy thing, so thanks very much for all the info sent to me

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Plecs create a lot of waste no matter what size and will put a lot of pressure on your filter. You will need a 5 maybe 6 foot tank for the plecs and have you ever heard of stunting?

 

[lennym75]

what is stunting is this a stupid question? i thought the fish would grow to the size of the tank

 

[Cheese Specialist]

what is stunting is this a stupid question? i thought the fish would grow to the size of the tank

The fish growing to the size of the tank is stunting I am afraid. The fish will stay small because the environment is not big enough to hold it but it's internal organs will grow and the fish will experience problems throughout it's short life until it dies very prematurely from being crushed internally or an associated disease.

It's a common mistake to make and many LFS say it but it's the worst thing (IMO) that can happen to a fish.

 

[Cavafish]

lennym75

Arent bala/silver sharks just great?! I love them. We only have two at the mo although I am very aware that they would prefer more friends.

Please take the advice given on this forum as intended in the nicest possible way and with the fishes best interests at heart. It may sometimes seem harsh but to get told that what you are doing is wrong and that your tank/filters/etc are inadequate/too small/wrong etc but as a newbie to fishkeeping you will not get stuff right first time. Hey-ho, thats life!

The tank you currently have is too small for fully grown bala sharks and the waste from the plecs is a big issue as boy, can they poo! Do not kid yourself, the setup may be ok for a while but it will NOT be good for ever. Both the plecs and the shark will need rehoming BEFORE they get anywhere near too big for the tank. Bear it in mind. It is also easier for a fish store to re-home a small to mid sized fish with another keeper than a monster that has reached full size. Puppys and kittens are always more appealling aren't they.

It is a hard call to make but the best thing you can do in my opinion is take the bala back soon - not an easy thing as they are so great - but this will solve the problem of it being on its own and of it getting too big. If you have the space for a big ole 5-6 foot tank in the future then save the bala owning experience till then.
In the meantime I'm off to that shop Bunjiweb was saying about - I gotta see that fish!!

Happy fishkeeping

Cava

 

[jflowers]

Thanks cavafish, thats the most polite and informative response I have seen for a long time. I wish we could all do it that way truly make this "the friendliest forum around"

Jon

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I didn't think mine was too harsh.

 

[jflowers]

hehe cheese, sorry was not aiming at anyone, least of all you. Though thought this thread ended with CFC's post.

Jon

[EDIT though your info on stunting was new to the thread]

 

[evilbunny]

hiya there,
i've got 3 bala sharks in my 6 footer and they're only small still 2-3 inches and i'm afraid they are too big for my tank,

the reason being is that they like to swim and play all day long, and it's almost as though there isn't enough length of the tank for them to be truly happy in

but the fact that they like to play *alot* would probably mean that urs would want more friends and lots of room to play

 

[Matty]

I have 3 balas in a 90g

Is that enough space?