skaffen Posted July 11, 2008 Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 I have a fairly large Bala Shark that I inherited, but he's not brightest fish and I'm thinking of trading him in for something with a bit more spark. I'm liking the sound of a Giant Gourami more and more. Would one be OK in a planted 440L community tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted July 11, 2008 Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 Depends on if you want plants after a week :-? :lol: I think they like eating plants, and would really soon outgrow the tank anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted July 11, 2008 Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 Yes, he would go fantastic, buy mine for $40!!! haha na joking, he'd rip your plants to shreads. They have teeth too, so big leaves wont save them. Great fish but: plants + GG = no plants. Might even go the Bala Shark as well. Until they're mature they can be a wee bit aggressive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted July 11, 2008 Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 A giant gourami won't be alright in a 440L tank, and taking up room with plants is only going to make things worse... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skaffen Posted July 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 lol, oh well, can anyone suggest a plant friendly largish smart fish with lots of character??? I'm probably going to trade/donate the Bala to a LFS who have a nice big tank with a couple of mature Balas already. He tries to hang out with my Golden Gourami, but the GG only tolerates it for a bit then runs and hides... i think he'd be happier with a few kin to school with. I'd get another, but I don't think my 440 would be big enough for two, and like I said, he's not the smartest fish... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted July 11, 2008 Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 a GG can be violent or placid. unpredictable. but plants are a NO NO i have tried all sorts of plants ate it all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Conkout Posted July 12, 2008 Report Share Posted July 12, 2008 I had similar feelings about my balas/silver sharks. They are pretty much the cows of the tank. Shy and kinda dumb. You really need a pack of them. They behave much like my rainbows. The largest is cetainly the boss and chases the rest about the place - but it is clearly a more of a game with the sharks because the smaller ones appear to know what's up and egg him on... When they were much younger I had 5-6 and they schooled about wheeling up the glass and were awesome to watch. As they got older they settled down some but they are pretty much a racey fish that plays amongst themselves. Have 3-4+ together so you can watch them play or move him on. They aren't a personality fish. good fun if you have the space, a number of them and you give them a little weed cover to hide in when they play chasing/hide and seek. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skaffen Posted July 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 That explains the behaviour he exhibits with my Golden Gourami - he wants a few pals to play chase/hide with. Thanks for the info Do you guys think a planted 440L is big enough for three balas? I'm thinking no, but I'd like to hear some other opinions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted July 13, 2008 Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 No, especially not long term, I have seen some big ones! 30cm+, but then again they are 20 years old :lol: i think 3 would be alright until athey are about 10cm.. How long is the tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skaffen Posted July 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 1.5 M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted July 13, 2008 Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 I'd say that'd be good for most of the time. 440L and 1.5m long is a big tank, and they're not super fast at growing. If that's big enough for 3 oscars (which it is), it'll be fine for the balas. You should be preapred to either move them on if they look cramped in a few years, or upgrade to a larger tank. For the meantime 3-4 would be fine. I'd say 90% of Balas end up dead or in much much smaller tanks by the time they age. If anything you'd be doing them a big favour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony law Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 my gg is in a seven foot tank and it full of sword plants he does like the tastes but he will eat any other type of plant thougth.also he just about fully growen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.