Tank Compatibility - Hungry Bala Sharks

[rockgurl89]

I had two Bala Sharks for a wee while now, and suddenly a lot of mysmall neon tetras are mysteriously disappearing without a trace :ske:

The larger rummy nose's I currently have are fine but when I got some new smaller ones they disappeared too.

My only conclusion is that the Bala's are snacking on them! :facepalm:

So after some research I feel that I am going to have to re-home my remaining tetras and re-stock.

Will my 160l happily stock (my current) 2 Bala Sharks, 2 red spot plecos (I know they both get large), 3 Bolivian Butterfly Rams, 1 Clown Loach (the sole survivor), with the addition of either 1 rainbow shark or a couple of angels (possibly both if anyone knows if they can be happily kept together), and some barbs and/or larger tetras (such as black widows)?

I have a lot of low light plants (crypts and java's) will the barbs and tetras be fine with the plants?

[rockgurl89]

Also I have 4 baby Kribensis in there at the moment, which I am aware I may need to move into another tank when they get older to separate from the Rams.

[alexyay]

Do you intend on upgrading for the bala sharks & plecos? I say get rid of them lol - if anything a 160L will stunt them and the balas will continue eating any small fish you stick in there - the clown loach (needs to be in a group imo) will need to be moved eventually too.

Your barbs and tetras will be fine with the plants - the kribs and rams may be fine together assuming they're not breeding and have loads of space?

[Amelia]

Research is best done BEFORE you buy the fish. Bala Sharks and Clown Loaches are BOTH schooling fish that get up to 30cm long and need a 6ft tank. The plecos will also outgrow your tank.

You would do best to rehome your clown, balas and plecs to someone with the appropriate housing for them.

[rockgurl89]

As stated I am aware that the Balas (which I have had for two years) and plecos will outgrow the tank, and I had a school of clown loaches but they fell to skinny loach disease (even after I wormed them) hence him being the sole survivor.

I am intending on re-homing the Balas eventually.

[alexyay]

As stated I am aware that the Balas (which I have had for two years) and plecos will outgrow the tank, and I had a school of clown loaches but they fell to skinny loach disease (even after I wormed them) hence him being the sole survivor.

I am intending on re-homing the Balas eventually.

Problem is, the balas are eating your other fish and will eventually be stunted. The clown loach needs a way bigger tank & a school so those are priorities too.

[rockgurl89]

Okay, thanks your input I will find the Balas and clown loach a loving new home and reasses the situation.

I am thinking Angels with my bolivian butterfly rams and barbs and large tetras (will keep the redspot plecs for now as they are still small) with the kribs, does this sound suitable?

[Amelia]

Angels and rams are fine together, but keep in mind that angels can be extremely aggressive to conspecifics. You may be better off just getting one angel, unless you want carnage. If you get a number of angels 2 will likely pair up and wreak havoc on the rest of the tank.

If you are talking about Tiger Barbs I think these are too nippy and aggressive to be kept with angels. Tetras will be fine, although avoid nippy species like Serpaes and keep in larger schools to reduce aggression. Harlequin Rasbora make good tankmates for angels, as they are very peaceful and too large to be eaten. I would recommend rehoming at least 1 redspot, as they are known to become territorial and also will contribute a large amount to your bioload. Kribs you will have to keep a close eye that they do not bully the rams.

[David R]

What are the dimensions of the tank? I'm not sure I'd put angels in a 160L tank, they do get fairly big (though not compared to the balas, redspots or clowns!) and require a fair amount of depth to be happy.

I agree with Ammelia about re-homing your sharks, clown and pleco too. This type of situation is far too common in the aquarium hobby, and I'm sure most of us have been there at one stage or another. A friend of mine had a group of 6-7 bala sharks all around the 12" mark in his 3000L tank, seeing them kept like that gives you a new appreciation for the size they reach and the amount of space they need. It makes me sad seeing them sold in LFS, knowing the vast majority will never see an appropriately-sized tank.

Don't let that put you off though, there are many interesting fish that can be kept in a tank of your size! You could replace the sharks with a school of tetras or barbs, the clowns with some dwarf chain loaches, and the redspot plecs with something small like clown plecs.