Swifterz

i have 3 new Bala Sharks and 1 new Rainbow Shark. they are all doing great but i am just curious as to how fast and how much i can expect them to grow. right now they are all about 3" long, maybe a little bit less.

they are in a 55 gallon tank with a half dozen tiger barbs. the water is kept at around 78 degrees and i do water changes about every 7-10 days.

so far i have two types of food i have been feeding them, Tetramin Tropical Flakes and Top Fin Shrimp Pellets.

thanks for the help.

aquarist48

Good morning. I'm not sure about the bala's but the Rainbow shark will grow fast.

wooza

I think I read that the bala's will be pretty much fully grown within 1-1.5 years. As you may already know, they get pretty big.

kimb

I think in your other post (in the beginners section) you were given a lot of advice about the size of balas and the number you were keeping in that 55g. The numbers you want to keep will cause stunting. I know its hard, but think of the well being of your fish. My LFS is contantly getting people trying to trade in fish that they purchased knowing full well they would quickly outgrow their tanks. The store is getting to the point of refusing, as they don't have the space to keep them.

Swifterz

i am trying to cut way down on the number of fish i will have, and also not add anything else. i'm thinking of having the 3 bala sharks, the 1 rainbow, and the tiger barbs.

Shawnie

im sorry swifterz, but no matter how many times you ask and switch around your stocking plan, a bala with any other fish, (even more bala's) will outgrow that tank...many members have given you advice on two different threads, and its your tank, but please remember one bala to 55 gals is what most are going to stick with ...3 bala's or even 2 in that tank, isnt fair to them good luck in whatever you choose

harpua2002

The iridescent shark listed in your aquarium info is going to be an even bigger problem than the balas.

Swifterz

this question has nothing to do with whether or not they are going to fit in my tank. i'm asking how fast they will grow just because i want them to get around 6" or so and trying to find out how long it will take.

the ID's are going out, as are the platys and the tetras.

Amanda

You want them to be 6"?
And then do what with them? By that time their growth will be seriously stunted.

Shawnie

it does have to do with it..as you are trying to redo your stocking to accomodate the bala's...in this thread, and your other one, many have told you about a year to a year in half those bala's will be too big...what more do you want? we will not tell you they are fine in that tank no matter how you word it...although Im happy your ID's have a new home, you got to do that for the bala's as well or get a much bigger tank...sorry if you dont like the answers but they arent going to change even if your stocking does