Compatibility- New To The Hobby

[Just_Another_One]

right now im in my 3rd week of cycling my 33 gallon tank with 6 black skirt tetras- i was wondering if once it's finished, would it be okay to add 1/ red tail black shark and 1/ bala shark,recused from another tank into mine? i was just curious if there would be problems with compatibility with them? thanks in advance

 

[Puffdaddy]

The Red Fin Shark might get nippy at the Tetra (depends on personality). You can add him and see how he takes, if he gets
overly aggressive you will have to move him(may or may not be a him). I would try and find another home for the Bala
Shark as they get way to big for your tank (12-16 inches)and should kept in groups. So you decided on going for the traditional cycle with fish huh. What are your ammonia and nitrite readings? Did you have the Tetra in the tank for the whole cycle? If Yes It would be a good Idea to give all of them a Methylene Blue dip after the cycle is complete. The dip will help with the ammonia and nitrite poisoning that the fish suffer during cycling. Since you are "rescuing" the fish from some other tank it would be a good idea to give them a salt dip before adding them to the new tank. This dip is just precaution so you don't spread bacteria, parasites, and or other disease that may be present.

 

[lilfishie]

how big is the bala causeon your other topic you said its fully grown?

 

[Just_Another_One]

the bala has been in my uncles tank for years so i guessed he/she is fully grown, i'd say hes between 6-8 inches long and quite fat.

i change the water in my tank every 3 nights and i just tested the ammonia and nitrite, readings are: ammonia 0.3, nitrite 0.1. if i don't end up taking these fish to my tank im not sure what we can do with them. do fish stores take fish that can't be cared for any more?

we're in the stages of emptying out his house ANd all thats left is the tank. i have a huge heart for animals so i can't just see them to die in there.

 

[Puffdaddy]

What size of tank was the Bala in. It seems to me that the Bala is very stunted.

 

[Just_Another_One]

the bala is in a tank a little smaller then mine , im guessing a 29g or so,

 

[Puffdaddy]

Yes the Bala is very very stunted especially if it is "years old". Does the Bala have disease often? I don't think the Bala is going to live a full thriving life. You should realy try to get him into a large tank 75gl minimum if he is to have any chance at a happy life. Sorry but the damage has already been done. GOOD LUCK