Can I add a Bala Shark to a tank with goldfish, catfish, plecos, and other common freshwater fish?

Question

I am thinking of getting a Balla Shark for my tank (3), my fish contains of 2 plecos, 2 goldfish, 4 catfish, and a lot of other common freshwater fish that i honestly don't know the name of. Will it be okay to get three to four Bala Sharks to put in my tank? It is a 30 gallon tank with alot of room, a filter, heater, and plants and hiding spots, at night, I put on the tank's built in light, but that's what I'm worried about, i think that bala sharks need alot of darkness cuz thats wat the petco guy said? is it okay to do this?

Answer 1

Catx is right on here...but to add a couple of things.

Bala Sharks can get up to 18 inches and need lots of swimming space...so a 30 Gallon is way too small for them.  Sure you get em small, but they will start going after the others when lack of space.  They also need lots of plant cover and hiding spots.  Minimum 75 gallon to 100 Gallon aquarium for these fish.

The Goldfish are cold water and can live fine with temps up to 74 degrees...but any warmer and they are not going to thrive.  1 Pleco is great for a tank and Plecos can live with Goldfish with no issues...However, if you have a common Pleco that is sold in Pet stores...then your tank is too small already.  Pleco can also grow up to 18 inches and need at least a 75 Gallon tank.  With 2 Pleco, well even though these are peaceful fish, they can and will show aggression to other Pleco, especially when cramped and as they get bigger...it will be a fight for hiding spots and food.

the Common Goldfish can get up to 24 inches long...you need a small pond for these.  Not to mention the waste they put out...as they are opportunic eaters.  And the space they need...cause they are very active swimmers...100 Gallons plus for these 2 fish, especially when they get full size...or even a small pond.

Regardless, you already have an overstocked tank and some aggression is very possible, as well death due to waste, not to mention fish outgrowing your tank...pretty quick.  I have had a common goldfish grow 7-8 inches in a matter of 3 months.  I have also had a Pleco get to 16 inches...adopted him out to a pond with goldfish...not to mention I have seen a Pleco at 18-19 inches...he was a monster.

As far as your Catfish...what type...some can grow quite large.

Get a bigger tank, or considering downsizing your fish soon...adopt the fish back out to Petco...they will find a great home for em...at least mine does.  Save yourself some money a headache and some  heartache...dont buy the Balas.

Sorry...

Best of Luck!

Answer 2

all those fish are tropical except the goldfish

the shark will probably eat the others  

Answer 3

Not a good idea, you cant mix tropical and freshwater they have different requirements and if this doesn't kill your goldfish then the bala shark will.

You will have to buy another tank to keep him/her in.  

Answer 4

No. Definitely not, I find it hard to believe there's any swimming room in your tank, it sounds rammed to the gills, if you excuse the pun.

2 goldfish (which are coldwater and should not be with any tropical fish) alone need 30 US gallons minimum.

Your filtration must be near cracking point with the goldfish AND plecos plus more. FYI plecos are known for sucking on goldfish's slime coat.

As for the balas, they need a 6ft tank MINIMUM. These are large, skittish fish that grow to 12", they need this space, in your tank they're likely to freak out and make a dash for freedom on to your carpet, if a crashing tank with a saturated filter doesn't kill them first.

Never keep fish you cannot identify, what are your other fish? What are your "catfish"? There are thousands of species of catfish.