Can I fit 3 bala sharks in a 10g?

[JamesBenjamin]

I have a 55 gal downstairs, but I'm just about done cycling (fishless) my 10 gal in my room. I want to get some bala sharks for the downstairs tank, but 'quarentine' them first, will they be ok in a 10 g for 3 weeks? I'm talking the baby ones at the pet store, that are 2-3 inches long.

Thanks!

[ArkyLady]

I'd think they'll be fine. I had mine in a 10gal while my 55gal was cycling. No problems here.

[Shiftaltumlock]

Sure, they will do fine in a 10 gallon for quarantine purposes.

[JamesBenjamin]

awesome! i'll probly get some this weekend then.

Thanks!

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

You do realise how large these fish can get correct???? A 5500 gallon pool is probably more appropriate.

[cacti]

You can keep the balas in a small tank for a limited time. My Dad and I had one nearing a foot, body 3in without fins, a magnificent fish. It jumped out one day, it seems you need to put extra weight on the cover for the big fish. The tank was covered. The temperament, size and color remind me a little of tinfoils. What a great site it would be to have them with tinfoils. :p

[JamesBenjamin]

by the time they grow to their full size (10-12 inches) i'll hopefully have a bigger tank to put them in.

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

Try atleast 16 inches...It is not uncommon for them to hit 18 inches...I have seen a specimen that was 24....Huge...They are slow growers though...Be prepared to buy a 500 gal tank...They are very active swimmers and need room to roam.

[JamesBenjamin]

16 inches!?! whoa! everything i've read says 10-12!

yup, im going to need a bigger tank!

we're talking a few years though right? :confused:

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

10-12 is on the small end...It isn't so much their size, but the fact that they are VERY active schoolers...You need ALOT of room for those fish and a 55 isn't going to cut it....They don't grow that fast, but do you really want to have to invest 1000s in a tank for three fish? A 55 is a nice size to keep a pair of Demseys or Firemouths...Much more colourful and not nearly as demanding in the space department.

[Serrateeth_2002]

Slow growers?i thought they were fast growers.

[JamesBenjamin]

if they live long enough to grow to 16 inches, they DESERVE a huge tank! :)

(if it really comes to that, i'll find a home for them)

[JamesBenjamin]

i dont think any fish could grow from 2-3 inches to 16 inches in one year! not if their lifespan is 5-6 (or 10?)

but yeah, if they get THAT big, i'll find them a home, or get a new tank.

unless i should stick with one in there, but i think they'd do better in a school (albeit a small one)

[quick061]

i have a smallmouth bass that's grown from 2 inches to just over 12 in 2 years. that's why i got a 90gal. to give him more room for now, i figure if its still alive in a few more years i'll look into another tank upgrade.

the biggest bala i've ever seen though was about 6 inches. those things really get up to 18?!?! man that would be a nice fish to see. i think those are going to be my next choice for my big tank if i ever get rid of my bass.

[GDominy]

My bala's (before they died tragically) were growing about 3/4 of an inch to an inch every month. They started in a 30 gallon, then a 45, then a 135.

Bala's grow quickly, given the right water conditions. I was changing about 50% water every week.

[Mattimeo]

my biggest brycon cephalus gre from 2.5 to almost 11 inches in less than 4 months...

[cacti]

They are fairly fast growers I would say. Our largest specimen grew to nearly 1 ft in 1 or 2 years. He chased the smaller one a little so the smaller fish didn't get as much food. I would recommend having 1 ------or 3 or more. 2 is probably the worst number. :)