30 gallon stocking?

[centralharbor]

I am about to upgrade my 10 gallon to a 30 gallon. It's dimensions are 30" long, 13" wide, and 19" high. I already have 4 cories and 1 betta in my 10 gallon. I was planning to either put 6 schooling fish (black neons or harlequins), and a pair of blue rams to go with my betta and 4 cories. If I did that, could I add more fish? My second option would be to go with fish that are a little larger. I would still have my betta and cories, but I would add a pair of blue rams, a pearl gourami (do they have to be in pairs?), and maybe a few more medium-sized fish (suggestions)? Which one would work better? Thanks.

most people say that other labrynth fish will fight or be fought with when housed with a beta, i would stay away from them if your gonna keep it in the same tank

What a load of crud. If I wanted to keep fish to resolve their 'natural behaviour' I wouldn't own two 75gal aquariums and a 55 reef. Tetras and gouramis like sitting in a 30gal box more than Bala's may I ask?

Balas are slow growers, and if purchased small won't out grow a 30 gal for years. While a 30gal is the smallest tank for this fish I'd suggest, it's beats force fed propoganda that you can't have anything larger than 'bait fish' in a 30gal.

I should also note the common practice of aquarists housing goldfish and plecos that grow to the size of wisconsin corn fed bullheads in 20 gals.

sure balas might be slow growers, but balas, if given the proper environment, grow to around a foot, ive heard of larger. at any rate, balas like to be in shoals, so if you think about it, the balas wouldnt be good for a 30 gallon

 

[ashdavid]

What a load of crud. If I wanted to keep fish to resolve their 'natural behaviour' I wouldn't own two 75gal aquariums and a 55 reef. Tetras and gouramis like sitting in a 30gal box more than Bala's may I ask?

Balas are slow growers, and if purchased small won't out grow a 30 gal for years. While a 30gal is the smallest tank for this fish I'd suggest, it's beats force fed propoganda that you can't have anything larger than 'bait fish' in a 30gal.

I should also note the common practice of aquarists housing goldfish and plecos that grow to the size of wisconsin corn fed bullheads in 20 gals.

If that is your opinion on bala's in a 30g and for that matter 30g tanks in general then I suggest you dont go and tell anyone. You are entitled to your oppinion and I am afraid as Raskolnikov stated before "full grown tetras have no problem turning around in a 13" wide tank" a full grown bala shark will have problems. So I ask you please reconsider your thoughts on the subject, because it is a fact that a bala will not live a heathly life in a 30g tank.

 

[WinterWind]

I probably won't get the bala then!