Bala/silver Sharks Tank Size

[tenohfive]

Just wondering what the minimum tank size would be for 5 Silver sharks? I fell in love with them when I saw them in P@H a few monthes ago, and have my heart set on getting them when I've got a tank big enough.

Having looked on the species index it recommends 75G+, what sort of size does that equate to? And would a long, short tank with a lower capacity be more suitable?



I'm not going to be buying any yet but the other half and I are looking to get a house in the next 6 monthes and I'm thinking ahead...not that I'd buy a house because its got an ideal spot for a 6 foot tank... (the other half's watching me over my shoulder)

 

[rabbut]

They get in excess of 18 inches in lenght each, so IMHO 75g isn't large enough. I'd look at a system arround the 2-300g mark. That would be like 12X3X3 feet fo them alone, so VERY LARGE. IMO these fish should be banned from the trade, as even public aquaria can struggle to keep them properly You will also want an acrilic tank; silver sharks can swim through glass, even re-inforced stuff. Get a good lid as they will jump when startled, and starteling them is how you get them to go through glass.....

75g is rhoughly a 4'X18"X18"

All the best
Rabbut

 

[andywg]

Fishbase gives a max size of 35cm standard length. With the tail you are looking at 15" as a very good size. In reality, seeing one larger than a foot is pretty good, though by these sizes they are somewhat deep bodied fish.

I tend to say that a 6 foot is best for the swimming length, and a 6x2x2 allows some decent swimming room for the fish, at least until they are 5+ years old.

As to them swimming through glass... I find that hard to believe. Mine often hit the glass at full pelt when scared (often set off by the even more skittish Chalceus) and only ever result in a few missing scales.

 

[wazza]

hello i have a 6x2x2 tank and have three 6 inch bala sharks . AND WOULD SAY YOU NEED A BIG TANK for these fish .It is a shame they are nice fish but they get sold when babys and people dont know they grow big and have to get rid of them so if you havent got a big tank dont bother sorry about that wazza .

 

[tenohfive]

I'm just thinking well ahead to when I have the room for a decent sized tank-I'm not going to get any until I'm sure I have a suitable tank for them.

Cheers for the replies, its given me something to think (and fantasise) about.