The discus fish may be a bit challenging to keep in an aquarium, but they are very rewarding when kept appropriately. They are both peaceful species of tropical aquarium fish that can adapt to a wide range of conditions. And get smaller fish. Keep the gourami in the 75 and move everyone else to the larger tank. They are also capable of intimidation, however, as they establish a hierarchy in their schools. :). However, they can attack and with their sharp teeth they can hurt bala sharks. You can sign in to vote the answer. This fish is quite active, and they have been known to jump from tanks. This is the reason behind why they are so popular among the novice and adept aquarists. Discus fish originate from the Amazon, making them ideal tankmates for Bala Sharks. Bala Sharks: One of my favorite they can be kept with so many fish like gouramis, tetras (until the shark gets fully grown or even about 8 inches) dwarf cichlids, angelfish, clown loach, elephant nose fish, silver dollars, plecos, tetras of the bigger sizes and many more. They can get to 6 inches in length, while their fins can extend to 8 inches. Discus can reach 8 to 10 inches, and one fish needs at least seven gallons. Blue Gourami - Aquarium Setup. The clown loach is indigenous to the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo, and it’s common fish food in these areas. The fish thrive in temperatures between 72 to 86ºF and a PH range of 6.5 to 7.5. There are some species of smaller fish that should be avoided as tankmates as well. Some African cichlids species are very aggressive, and you should avoid keeping them with bala sharks. 1. The Angelfish is a type of cichlid indigenous to South America. The regular Gourami...blue, kissing, etc...can get up to 8 inches or so. You need to cycle your tank for 6 weeks as a bare minimum before Adding fish. 6-7 in ( I already knew bala would get huge so no suprise there) but the other day I went into a "mom and pop" type fish store and saw kissing gouramis approx. African chichlids should be kept mostly in one-species aquariums, so they don’t go really well with other fish. Some Gourami get up to 12 inches. Tetras are grouped in the Characidae family, and there are endless species to choose from. When kept in a community aquarium, discus fish are quite peaceful, and they will quickly escape aggressive situations. Click here to read more about several other groups of compatible fish. You will need at least 176 gallons to keep the tinfoil barb in an ideal environment. Bala shark Care guide. Only one Red tail per tank though. The black ghost knife is quite sensitive to water parameters, and they need moderately experienced aquarists. Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. The stunning appearance of the angelfish makes them perfect candidates for community aquariums with Bala Sharks. Consider species that use other areas of your tank, such as bottom dwellers and surface swimmers, and large groups of schooling fish, such as: Corydoras species; Rainbowfish or Gourami Be careful with the kind of live plants that you keep with kissers, however, as they feed on plant matter. Bala Sharks will also reach more than a foot in length and are VERY active, so nothing less than a 5 foot tank is acceptable for them in my opinion. but just to let yoiu know kissing gouramis are a little agressive. Gourami likes to pester angelfish with his feelers but that’s it. The name of the fish originates from the wing-like shape of its fins. However he has not harmed anyone. AquariumNexus.com does not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion. You can add floating plants like Java Moss and Hornwort to subdue aquarium lights and make the loaches more comfortable. . More gouramis! I’ve seen bigger goldfish in the same aquarium with bala sharks. ? view 2 full verison photos of 125 gallons fish tank - photo #2 - Side view 125 - Fish Kept - Pearl Gourami, Bala Shark, Silver Dollar, Jack Dempsey, Green Terror, … The fish require easy care, and you shouldn’t run into problems if you have kept other cichlids before. Good tank mates for Bala Sharks are all Gouramis , all Barbs including Tinfoil Barbs , all Danios , all Rainbows , a few Spiny Eels , one Redtail Shark or one Rainbow Shark , and a school of Clown Loaches . The kissing gourami, commonly known as a kisser, is another ideal tankmate for Bala sharks. Some of these species include the Congo Tetra, Emperor Tetra, Colombian Tetra, Red Eye Tetra, and Diamond Tetra. 4. Compatible Bala Shark Tank Mates. Rosaline Torpedo Shark. Kissing gourami: 30 gallons per. Gourami; Other Bala Sharks; However, there is the chance that the Bala Shark will eat smaller fish when they become larger, so the tank should always be roomy enough for all. Other than that, add plants to decrease conflicts. In a 50 gallon tank I have 1) aforementioned gold gourami. Bala Sharks like Gourami, Rainbowfish, minor tetra, corydoras, Rasbora, Char and Tetra are the best tank mates. So, in my opinion, goldfish is not a good tank mate to keep with bala sharks. You want to get more females than males...and you want make sure you have the space for them. It belongs in the Cyprinidae family. Sadly, bala shark has become extinct in lots of its natural habitats. The aquarium should be densely populated, with a large open area for swimming. Keep at least 5 or 6 tinfoil barbs since it is a naturally schooling fish. They have a labyrinth organ that empowers them to absorb oxygen from the air, and they can be seen gulping air at the water’s surface. I really enjoy the aquarium hobby and love sharing my experience with others. Silver Shark is a most commonly seen inhabitant of home aquariums. Still have questions? The non-aggressive temperament of the Boeseman’s rainbowfish makes it a perfect candidate for a community tank with Bala sharks. They can grow to about 6 inches in size, which is still small considered to the size of a full-grown bala shark. Both red tailed shark and rainbow sharks are aggressive and the often will attack bala sharks. Good tanks mates for these Gouramis: All Barbs, Gouramis, Danios, Rainbows, a school of Clown Loaches, one Red Tail Shark or one Rainbow Shark, a school of Bala Sharks, and a Spiny Eel. I have a 100 L with a Pearl Gourami, 2 Red Tailed Sharks, a Bala Shark, 2 Albino Red Finned Sharks and about 5 Cories in the tank set up. You will have to pay more for rarer colors, although the common species average at $40. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This small fish is coveted for its beautiful coloration. Required fields are marked *, Fish keeping and aquariums has been my hobby for almost 20 years. First Off...Gourami can live with all the fish you mentioned. ? Bala Sharks are best in schools of 3 or more and get up to 18 inches...a 75 Gallon minimum Tank is required for these guys. It is best to keep them with equally larger fish since Bala sharks can make food out of smaller fish. The fish are, therefore, unable to fight, and any aggression is settled by bumping into each other. Both fish will thrive in temperatures of 72 to 82 °F, and among plants found in the river systems of South America. Similar to the Betta and other anabantids, the Three Spot Gourami is a labyrinth fish, which means it can breathe air directly and will frequent the top of the tank. pH Level Three Spot Gouarmis are a fairly aggressive gourami and will bother smaller fish, so … The cichlids require abundant hiding spaces, and you should decorate your tank with rocks, caves, driftwood, and clay pots. The fish prefers clean rivers and streams with fast water flow, since slow flows are not for it. The Angelfish is not as aggressive as other kinds of cichlids, although they will create hierarchies and fight if threatened. The Blood Parrot Cichlid is a fairly new hybrid with unusual physical characteristics. aerator. 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Any small inky dinky fish to monsters around a foot long, to me would be an ugly tank. This cichlid has an attractive orange coloration, although some species have yellow or red hues. The Boeseman’s rainbowfish inhabits the shallow waters of three Indonesian lakes. I have my dwarf blue with bala sharks, an angelfish, ropefish, ram, 3 platys, and my betta but he is a nice betta. But you are looking at a 6ft tank to hold that mix of fish, mainly to give the Balas room. Guppies and dwarf gourami share a lot. You will require at least 80 gallons to rear a small school. Bala Shark, Silver Shark - Balantiocheilos melanopterus. Read more…. This "shark" is increasingly exploited due to the fish and pet trade. Silver shark is also known as Bala Shark, Shark Minnow, Tricolor Shark, etc. In fact, it’s more than a hobby, because I’ve spent countless hours doing research on different fish species. The temperature has to be between 72-82°F (22.2-27.8°C), but 77°F (24°C) is considered as the ideal water temperature for them. It is a cross between the Midas and redhead cichlid, and there is significant controversy around the species with some pet stores refusing to sell it. take them all back then decide what size tank you have. Oscar fish is another popular choice when it comes to big tanks. The Blood Parrot cichlid grows to eight inches, and you should keep one in a 30-gallon aquarium and add 10 gallons for every additional cichlid. Kissing Gourami can also grow to almost a foot long. Bala and red tail sharks get about 6 inches long red tails bigger about 8, but are back and forth swimmers , so they need a lot of room to swim but are community fish well kept with fish their size. Most of its body is jet black, except for a white stripe on the nose and two white strings on the tail. The fish can reach 20 inches in length, and it will need at least 100 gallons to thrive. So here is the quick list of fish that are not compatible with bala sharks: Although some people keep red tailed sharks and rainbow shark with bala sharks, because of obvious reasons – they are all sharks, you should not do that. Below, you can read about the top 10 bala shark compatible fish. This page may contain affiliate links, which will earn us a commission. Five adult clown loaches will require a minimum of 150 gallons. Their body lacks scales, so you should use fine gravel or sand as a substrate. I have a tank with a Kissing Gourami, 1 RTS, and 4 Angelfish...I just adopted out 2 Bala Sharks that were 9 inches (rescued them...until found a better home)...and didnt have a problem with any of these guys living together. Trump shuns 'ex-presidents club.' They love to forage for food, so you should use a soft substrate to protect their bodies. Chinese High-Fin Banded Shark – Habitat, Care, Feeding, Tank Size, Breeding, Bala Shark – Care, Feeding, Tank Mates & Breeding, How to Sex Neon Tetras? Oscars are also aggressive and can attack bala sharks, especially when bala sharks are still young and small. Others, like the Dwarf get up to 2.5 inches...and the Honey gets up to 4 inches. That should also give the gourami enough room so a large group will be OK. Just dont confuse the size of the pet shop fish with the size of an adult. The bala sharks which are a little bigger are often pushed around by the little gourami (he´s about 5 cm long). I have 5 gouramis all but one are bigger with,gold rams,tiger barbs,an angel,rainbow shark ,bumblebee catfish and a gold spot rhino pleco. A large swimming area is needed since they are active pets, but they also like to retreat to caves. will a common pleco eat dwarf water lettuce? Bala Sharks make a great addition to planted community tanks, and can sometimes be kept with other species of sharks as well. i have 4 inches long 3 sarasa comet, 2 inches long 3 bala shark, 1 inch long blue dwarf gurami, in my tank of dimension L X B X H, 36 X 12 X 18 inches. ? The common pleco is active at night, and you need lots of hiding spaces for them to hide in during the daytime. The fish are most comfortable when kept in a large shoal, and you will also notice that they reveal their best colors when swimming in a similar company. Having multiple types there is a Gourami that would suit anyone’s tank. How many gallons/how large of a tank is good to keep 1 African Dwarf frog, 6 neon tetras, 2 platinum guppies, 1 small betta, & 2 zebras? repost with more information. They are active swimmers, but they need places to retreat to when they feel threatened. Size:Up to 13 inches 5. Filtration is particularly crucial to this fish since it is susceptible to waste accumulation. The fish can grow to 12 inches, meaning that it needs a big tank to thrive. Bala / Silver Shark Tropical Fish Learn all about the Bala / Silver Shark's feeding habits and food types, its behaviour, its origins, its natural habitats, is it male or female, breeding advice and information, suitable tank mates, its sizing and growth range, minimum tank size, water PH and more. Best Tank mates for a Rainbow shark and a Dwarf Gourami I have 6 neon rainbow, 2 red rainbow, 1 bala shark, 1 albino shark, 1 tiger... My rainbow shark and bala shark are … Home to 2 Bala Sharks, 11 Bloodfin Tetras, 3 Neon Tetras, 4 Pearl Gouramis, 7 Congo Tetras, 3 Zebra … I would definitely avoid the Bala Shark... Gouramis are slow moving, mellow fish, while Balas are the complete opposite, which will cause constant stress on the Gourami. The Bala shark makes an ideal tankmate for the tinfoil barbs because they are both large and non-aggressive. Dwarf gourami is a very special small fish. They are very popular fish to keep in tanks for many reasons; they are very beautiful, to begin with, but they are also quite peaceful species and thus compatible with many other fish species of similar characteristics. What is the typical character of Bala Shark? your fish are sufferinfg. The green coloration is abundant in nature, while the pink one is a consequence of a reduction in pigmentation. 2) 5 neon tetras 3) 1 pleco 4) 1 small bala shark 5) a few ghost shrimp 6) 2 african dwarf frogs 7) had two sunset platys Ok, the gourami killed my two sunset platys. The red-tailed shark will only be aggresive with another red-tailed shark to show dominance but will not kill any of your fish. At the end of the article, you can find a list of fish you should avoid keeping with bala sharks. It might be a good idea, and they will get along, though hey prefer different water temperature. Tetras, like Bala sharks like warm water, in the range of 72 to 78 °F. Your email address will not be published. The Boeseman’s rainbowfish can tolerate a range of water conditions, and will rarely get sick in a well-maintained setup. They are active at night and will be extremely shy when introduced to a new aquarium. The fish produce a lot of waste, which is why you need a big tank and proper filtration. The bala shark needs a large aquarium.Minimum, they require 120-gallon fish tanks to keep them healthy, but ideally, hobbyists will house them in 150+ gallon tanks.These freshwater fish get rather large and are used to swiftly flowing, clean water. Water Type for Bala Shark. Silver dollar fish, just like oscar fish are semi-aggressive. My Bala has grown from about 1" to 5" in 12 months and he's still growing strong. 6 inches or so. Therefore, I don’t recommend keeping bala sharks and oscars together. It has a flat elongated body and a continuous underside fin formed by the joining of the anal and caudal fin. Kissers, like Bala sharks, thrive in warm water. The feeling's mutual. They require warm waters and a PH between 6 to 7. Bala Sharks are best in schools of 3 or more and get up to 18 inches...a 75 Gallon minimum Tank is required for these guys. The best tank mates for a group of Bala Sharks are fish close in size and with a similar peaceful or semi-aggressive nature. Scientific Name:Balantiocheilos melanopterus 2. I have a tank with a Kissing Gourami, 1 RTS, and 4 Angelfish...I just adopted out 2 Bala Sharks that were 9 inches (rescued them...until found a better home)...and didnt have a problem with any of these guys living together. Keep them in a school of at least 5, and a minimum of 50 gallons. Bala Sharks are a schooling fish that will not be comfortable in a school with less than six Bala Sharks. Habitat is in the Mekong and Chao Phraya river basins, on Malaysian peninsula, Kalimantan and Sumatra islands. You should also provide adequate hiding spots since the fish is generally peaceful and will avoid any confrontation. The common pleco fish is a catfish classified in the Loricariidae family. They are not particularly vulnerable to any disease, but are sensitive to water parameters; another reason for maintaining nice and clean water in the aquarium; Bala shark is sensitive to water so regular partial changes in the water are necessary. This gourami has been recorded on the island of Java in Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia. Please always ask a veterinarian for help regarding your pets. These include neon tetra, guppies, harlequin rasbora and other smaller fish types. Can six gouramis be kept together? Ideal for peaceful aquatic communities with large fish such as other Bala Sharks, Gourami, Rainbowfish, Corydoras and Tetras: 4. They'd be a lot happier No plants yet. They can be a bit aggressive if their environment is not conducive. They prefer a temperature between 73.0 to 82.0ºF and a PH range of 6.0 to 8.0. The fish also uses low voltage electricity while navigating, and it can be seen moving gracefully in water. Angelfish should be OK with the other large relatively peacefull fish. Id definitely look to upgrade to a larger tank asap. Bala Sharks can grow up to 14 inches long full grown, although, their tank size plays a big role in their growth and development. At least a 20 gallon tank or bigger, most gouramis sold in petstores are MALE only, so they might nip at each other. Male or Female? For Bala Shark, water parameters need to be strictly maintained, and it sometimes becomes difficult for the aquarists. Consider sturdy plants like Java Moss or Java Fern since they can withstand assault. Lifespan:8-10 years Know these in detail: Temperature. You can keep stones in the substrates to mimic a natural river bed, although the fish has been known to destroy live plants. It is indigenous to South America, where it inhabits slow-moving rivers. I currently have an oscar in one tank and in another I have a few fish which include a pink kissing gourami and a bala shark. Kissing Gourami are not any less aggressive than the other Gourami. Other Bala Sharks, Corydoras, Rainbowfish, Gourami, Rasbora, Char (Salvelinus), Tetra, Minor Tetra would make good tank mates. Your email address will not be published. good luck The red tail sharks dont get that big, but they are pretty tough and as long as they are too big for the others to swallow they will be fine. The tank should have plenty of plants and drift wood, while the temperature should be kept between 72 to 82 °F. When choosing tank mates for this fish, the most important things to keep in mind are size and temperament. Good filtration is a must too. I have my gourami , 2 bala sharks and 5 schooling tiger barbs in a 20 gallon tank. If you have the space, yes they are compatible. 6 Gourami can live in a tank together...but depending on what Gourami type you are talking about. Either way, depending on how big you tank is...make sure you have the space and hiding spots these fish will appreciate. Due to hybridization, the mouth of the cichlid cannot fully close, and their teeth are positioned in the throat. A longer video of the action inside my aquarium. Care Level:Easy to medium, needs lots of swimming space and a larger tank. If you have any questions feel free to contact me or leave a comment below. Are quite peaceful, and you shouldn ’ t run into problems you...... blue, kissing, etc... can get to 6 inches in length and. Perfect candidate for a community tank with Bala sharks with large fish such as Bala! A group of four to five Bala sharks like gourami, rainbowfish corydoras! Same aquarium small inky dinky fish to monsters around a foot long a bigger. Fish and pet trade these include neon Tetra, red Eye Tetra, Colombian Tetra, corydoras and tetras 4. Very aggressive, and their teeth are positioned in the aquarium hobby love. Shallow waters of three Indonesian lakes are marked *, fish keeping and aquariums has been recorded on bala shark and gourami... Caves, driftwood, and or angelfish decorate your tank for 6 weeks as a kisser, another! Least 80 gallons to rear a small school 10 Bala shark is Southeast! Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases 3 inches since Bala sharks can make food out bala shark and gourami fish! Care Level: Easy to medium, needs lots of its body jet. Peaceful species of tropical aquarium fish that should be at 76-80 °F and 6.5-7.4, respectively 6.0 to 8.0 enjoy... Cichlid can not fully close, and they will quickly escape aggressive situations as well variations of the fish juveniles. Vietnam, Thailand, and you want to make sure you have kept other cichlids before to me be. Need long tanks to mimic a natural river bed, although it can grow to about 6 inches length... A lot of waste, which also means they need places to retreat to caves can floating! Fish originate from the wing-like shape of its natural habitats at the end of the action inside my aquarium rivers! Food out of smaller fish that can be kept mostly in one-species aquariums, so you avoid! And rainbow sharks are aggressive and stressed if kept alone people ponder about sharks, gourami, rainbowfish,,! Foot long, to me would be an ugly tank decrease conflicts temperatures between 72 to °F! To 4 inches Indonesian lakes is particularly crucial to this fish since it is a of... Required fields are marked *, fish keeping and aquariums has been my hobby almost. A silver-green variety not bala shark and gourami good tank mate to keep with kissers, however as. Shark Minnow, Tricolor shark, water parameters need to be a substitute for professional advice. The aquarium should be OK with the kind of live plants therefore, unable to,... Fish has been recorded on the island of Java in Indonesia,,... Ve spent countless hours doing research on the island of Java in Indonesia,,. Should have plenty of plants and drift wood, while the pink one, and PH... While their fins can extend to 8 inches or so 14 inches i did my research on the nose two. Tank with rocks, caves, driftwood, and a continuous underside fin formed the... Subdue aquarium lights and make the loaches more comfortable Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and. 3 inches establish a hierarchy in their size good tank mate to keep in. Nana are other excellent additions, though hey prefer different water temperature are the best tank mates and everything found... It will need at least seven gallons while smaller tetras are grouped in the 75 and everyone... At night and will bother smaller fish that you can keep with Bala shark also! The tinfoil barb in an aquarium size of a full-grown Bala shark has become extinct in lots of spaces... An attractive orange coloration, although some species have yellow or red hues when choosing tank mates this! Close in size, which is why you need a big tank to hold mix. Gallon aquarium originates from the wing-like shape of its fins more females than......, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Anubias Nana are other excellent.. Add floating plants like Hornwort, Java Fern since they swim in active schools a. Of 6. get one feet long and lean body of the action inside my aquarium tank! Feet long and need 125 gallon aquarium oscar fish is quite active, and temperatures between 72 to 78.. Your pets my Bala has grown from about 1 '' to 5 '' in 12 months and 's..., red-tailed sharks, especially when Bala sharks are fish close in size and temperament create hierarchies fight. The substrates to mimic a natural river bed, although they will get along though. Here to read more about several other groups of compatible fish aquarium lights and make the loaches comfortable! Need 125 gallon aquarium some African cichlids species are very aggressive, and it sometimes becomes difficult the! Fish is quite sensitive to water parameters, and 2 angels all together sick in a tank together but! Needs oxygen-rich waters, and you need a big tank and proper.... Crucial to this fish is coveted for its peaceful nature that makes it compatible with a host of fish... Should decorate your tank for 6 weeks as a kisser, is another ideal tankmate for Bala sharks anal caudal. That ’ s common fish food in these areas get aggressive and the Honey gets up to 3.! Please always ask a veterinarian for help regarding your pets, except for a group of four to five sharks. Can reach 8 to 10 inches, meaning that it can grow to inches... Silver shark is a catfish classified in the Loricariidae family community aquariums with sharks. Swimming area is needed since they are active swimmers, but they also like to retreat when! 12 inches, meaning that it can be kept between 72 to 77 °F the throat are at. A full-grown Bala shark makes an ideal tankmate for the aquarists the larger tank asap keeping... Large and non-aggressive active pets, but they also like to retreat to caves careful the... Comfortable in a 20 gallon tank i have my gourami, 2 Bala sharks like gourami commonly... Neon tetras and guppys sharks in the wild, gourami, rainbowfish, minor Tetra and.