How many gallons does one need? I've read at petsmart that they only need 30 gallons and then I read on liveaquaria.com that they need a minimum of 70 gallons! Which one should I trust. I know the rule "1 gallon for every inch of fish", but that's just thrown out there all the time and its not a very good rule to use unless talking about small fish. You wouldn't put a 10 inch fish in a 10 gallon tank now would you?? Thanks to all that answer!
2007-07-13 15:12:13 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
I e-mailed you MM.
2007-07-13 16:20:55 · update #1
Funny someone should ask about bala shark requirements. I just took in a large one tonight. It's not fully grown, but easily handles being in the tank with an adult Oscar. I'll put it in perspective, I felt really bad about having to house him in a 55 gallon, but it's the only space I have at the moment. These guys like to school, I wouldn't put a group of them in anything less than a 125 - 135 gallon.
I can send you a pic of a near adult bala in a 55 gallon if you want to see what you would be getting into buying one. Just email me if you want the pic.
MM
2007-07-13 15:47:23 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The rule of one inch per gallon wouldn't apply here anyway, because of the bala's behavior. They're a schooling fish, which others here have already mentioned, but they're also very active swimmers. Putting a bala in a 30 gallon tank would be like expecting a group of greyhounds to race across your living room - they tend to run into the walls a lot.
Small tanks are good for small or slow-swimming fish, but active fish like balas need some extra room to move.
2007-07-13 22:35:36 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They get about 12-14 inches each. One would be ok in a 30 gallon (which is why that is stated at Petsmart), but they are schooling, so you would be better off with a larger aquarium as you need three or more for them to thrive. I usually don't recommend them for anything smaller than a 55 gallon.
2007-07-13 22:15:47 · answer #3 · answered by galapagos6 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Balas can reach 14" in length and will be dwarfed in a 70 gallon. They really need a 6' or 8' tank to thrive.
2007-07-13 22:16:27 · answer #4 · answered by fivespeed302 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
trust the petsmart suggestion.liveaquaria.com exaggerates that all the time.
2007-07-13 22:20:54 · answer #5 · answered by sam_girl_13 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋