Are Bala Sharks Hard To Keep?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Are Bala sharks hard to keep? Most experts agree that

Bala Shark care is relatively easy if the fish owner has some basic knowledge of fish care

. These fish tend to remain healthy, but fish owners should be sure to keep their aquariums clean and the water level and temperature stable for best results.

Can you keep a Bala shark by itself?

A single Bala Shark should be kept in a 100 gallon tank. However

it is not recommended that you keep this fish on their own

, they will need to be kept with at least 3 other Bala Sharks. You will need a 150 gallon aquarium that is around 5 feet long.

How big of a tank does a Bala Shark need?

Bala Shark Habitat and Care

As previously mentioned, the key factor in the bala’s environment is tank size. An aquarium of

125 gallons

is needed to keep a school of adult bala sharks, and since they are active swimmers, a longer tank is recommended. These are active fish that startle easily.

Are Bala Sharks Hardy?

Bala sharks are widely available in most pet stores, but will grow to a size too large for the home aquarium.

They are a hardy fish

that will tolerate temperature changes, pH changes, and other factors to which other fish may be sensitive.

Are Bala Sharks easy?

Even though Bala sharks get pretty huge,

they can be a fairly gentle and timid fish

. They don’t have the aggressive nature needed to go toe to toe with more assertive species, like most African cichlids. Be sure to keep them in a school of five or more. This species needs to be in a group in order to feel secure.

What is the lifespan of a bala shark?

Scientific name: Balantiocheilos melanopterus Common names Bala shark, silver shark, tricolor shark, tricolor sharkminnow Distribution: Southeast Asia Size: Up to 14 inches Life expectancy:

Up to 10 years

What can you put in a tank with Bala sharks?

  • Angelfish.
  • Kissing Gourami.
  • Blood Parrot Cichlid.
  • Tetras.
  • Rainbowfish.
  • Common Pleco Fish.
  • Clown Loaches.
  • Tinfoil Barbs.

How many bala sharks can you have in a 10 gallon tank?

We have people asking us “how many Bala sharks in a 10-gallon tank? The answer here is

none, not a single one

. Each Bala Shark requires 26 gallons of water and they should be kept in groups 3 – 4 as they are schooling fish thus a tank size of 100 gallons+ is recommended.

Do bala sharks need a heater?

Bala sharks are tropical species, like most tropical fish, so

they need a heater

.

Are Bala sharks rare?

Today, Bala Sharks are considered an endangered species of fish and are

thought to have become rare or extinct in many of their original freshwater habitats

.

How big will a bala shark get in a 75 gallon tank?

The largest specimens of this species can reach a

length of 4 feet and a weight of 96 pounds

. That is the length of a 55- to 75-gallon tank and the weight of a small human packed into a torpedo-shaped, well-muscled fish.

Why is my bala shark upside down?

The

impaired buoyancy in fish is caused by a malfunction of their swim bladder

. When affected by Swim Bladder Disorder fish will often lose the ability to properly swim. They will float uncontrollably to the top of the aquarium, turned upside down, while still being alive.

Can I put Bala sharks with guppies?

Anything small enough to fit in their mouths has a high risk of becoming a snack. However, despite bala sharks’ unusual size, these fish are pushovers. So avoid aggressive fish or fin-nipping fish.

Bala sharks can’t thrive when other fish pick on them

.

Can Bala sharks live with red tail sharks?

Here are some possible Red Tail Shark tank mates:

Neon Tetra

.

Bala Shark

.

What do Bala sharks like to eat?

This species is native to the rivers and lakes of Borneo, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia. In their natural environment, Bala sharks eat an omnivorous diet made up of

insects and their larvae, small crustaceans as well as some algae and other plant material

.

Can Bala sharks and Oscars live together?

They are larger than the Oscar fish, which means that they will not be threatened by these fish. As these fish are shoaling fish, it means that you should keep more of them together.

Ideally, 4 or 5 of bala sharks together would be great.

How many Bala sharks are in a 125 gallon tank?

How Many Bala Shark in 125 Gallons. If you are housing a Bala shark, you can keep

around 5 fish

in one tank.

How do you revive a dying fish?

  1. Place your fish in dechlorinated water. …
  2. Turn the oxygen container to let a good amount of air into the air stone. …
  3. Keep your fish in the container for around 2 hours.
  4. Try inserting a tube into the gills though this may cause more harm than benefit.

Why is fish laying at bottom of tank?


When the water temperature inside your aquarium drops too low, your fish might lay motionless at the bottom of the tank to conserve energy

. On the opposite spectrum, if the water temperature rises dangerously high, fish will stay on the bottom because that’s where oxygen levels will be higher.

How do you save a dying fish?

  1. Step 1: Check Your Water Quality. Poor water quality is the #1 cause of illness and disease in fish. …
  2. Step 2: Fix Your Water Quality. …
  3. Step 3: Check Your Fishes’ Food. …
  4. Step 4: Call Your Veterinarian About Your Sick Fish.

Do Bala sharks eat snails?

Bala Shark

Beyond their body shape and triangular dorsal fin, these fish don’t share any other characteristics with predatory sharks.

They will, however, eat smaller creatures they find in the tank

. This includes snails, small fish, and shrimp. These fish have very healthy appetites.

Can shark fish live with goldfish?

Short and simple,

no

. Goldfish are freshwater fish, and clownfish are saltwater. They also live at different temperatures.

What’s more aggressive rainbow shark or Red Tail Shark?

Not nearly as hostile or aggressive as its red-tail cousin, the

rainbow shark

fares well in community aquariums that do not have occupants boasting excessive finnage, such as bettas and fancy guppies, as those elaborately finned and slow-moving fish are ripe targets for occasional fin nipping.

How big does rainbow sharks get?

These fish have a distinctive appearance: long, dark bodies, pointed snouts and a flat abdomen. Their fins are typically red/orange in color. When fully grown, rainbow sharks can reach

6 inches in length

. They’re highly-territorial fish and are prone to aggressive behaviors towards other, smaller fish.

Can we keep rainbow shark with mollies?


No, your tank is already overstocked

. Those sharks are going to grow, and so are the mollies. And the mollies are likely to breed, unless you got all males. You need to anticipate the adult size of your fish.

How do you keep Bala Sharks alive?

Because Bala Sharks can grow to a large size, it is essential to

give them plenty of protein in their diet

to keep them growing strong. Consider adding shrimp or other higher protein-laden food. Overall, you should be feeding yours 3 times a day.

How many Bala Sharks can you have in a 10 gallon tank?

We have people asking us “how many Bala sharks in a 10-gallon tank? The answer here is

none, not a single one

. Each Bala Shark requires 26 gallons of water and they should be kept in groups 3 – 4 as they are schooling fish thus a tank size of 100 gallons+ is recommended.

Do Bala Sharks need a heater?

Bala sharks are tropical species, like most tropical fish, so

they need a heater

.

Why is my Bala Shark swimming up and down?

Fish exhibit many behaviors that tell us how they are feeling, and glass surfing (also known as pacing) is one of them. This is when fish constantly swim up and down the sides of the aquarium glass.

One reason they do this is stress

. It could mean they aren’t happy in their environment, for one reason or another.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.