martynmarion

Getting a new 75 gal. aquarium at Christmas. Was planning on getting 3 small bala sharks as well as other community fish. I have been asked to take a bala from a friends tank, as it is now approx. 4-5 inches in length and has outgrown her 20 gal. My question is: is it ok to put 2 smaller balas 1 1/2 to 2 inches in with the 5 incher? Thanks for your help.

Barbrella

Bala sharks can grow up to 16" and need way more room than any regular home aquarium can provide.

Petstores shouldn't be allowed to sell them.

jack11

in a 75G tank they should be fine shouldn't they? i also thought they only got to 12"

martynmarion

barbrella-
If true, any suggestions on what to do with this 'monster in waiting'? If it is going to get that big, would a fish store even buy it back?

Barbrella

A fish store sold one to your friend to put into a 20 gal tank, which is completely outrageous, but I"m sure they'll take it back. What do they care what happens to it?

3 of them in a 75 gal is not going to work. Besides getting very large, they are very fast swimmers and need tons of room. If you have a public aquarium near you, they usually have them so you can see what size tank they need.

I saw them in a 1,000 gallon tank at my local aquarium and truthfully, they still looked cramped.

If you want a huge fish, you might prefer an Oscar. That would be fine in a 75 gal!

martynmarion

If I go with the oscar in the 75 gal., what other types of fish would you recommend go with it? How many? I know about Jack Dempseys, but what others would be active and not get eaten or beat up? Thanks.