I think they're beautiful fish. Funnily enough I most often see adult ones that have been handed to my LFS for rehoming as people didn't realise how big they get.
Yeah definitely a monster fish! My family members have kept them and from this size it will take a good 18 months to get to a decent size. They do get massive hence why a 70 gallon would be classed as a grow out 😂 you honestly wouldn’t believe how small they look right now haha
These are great fish unfortunately i only have 1 at the moment but they are very active fish and have a verry unique swim pattern you often see them swimming vertical sometimes even going upside down around plants and ornaments.
I'm a big fan of the Bala sharks too. Lovely fish.....although I do find they need swimming area over water volume. Perhaps you may find that tank a little small for them, despite the volume as it is really tall but not very wide. It is a very interesting looking tank though, I don't think I've seen a 250L with those dimensions. I really like it. Maybe looks smaller on the video than it actually is, but it doesn't look like it holds 250L. Is it custom made? Anyway, I only recently found your channel and I'm really enjoying it. Well done.....and even better you're a fellow Scotsman. I think yours is the only scottish aquatics channel I've found. Well, Mark's Shrimps too....but he's in Norway.....and I like fish more than shrimps! All the best.
Thanks man! I appreciate that! Yeah the tank is definitely too small in the long run but it’s definitely a lot bigger in real life a lot of people are shocked by it 😂 I’m planning a big 180 Gallon when I move house so should be perfect time for them! I have a few friends who could accommodate them if needed Aka they want them already 😂
@@Fishkeepingmadeeasy A 180g. Man I dream of something like that. My biggest tank (of 22) is only a 55g. It's pretty cool though, everything in it is from loch clunie. The sand/gravel, the rocks, wood plants and Perch. I'd love a 180 to do something similar in.....but I live in an attic flat so no way I can have something like that.......so I need to move, obviously🤣. I'll just have to look forward to seeing your 180 till then. Cheers
Man that is awesome! I’ve always wanted to keep a Perch. I used to catch them in the Canal in Falkirk haha! Yeah I can’t wait either! I’ve lived in a few flats recently and big tanks just aren’t practical haha!
Also to answer your question about the cube, I actually bought it and the stand from a guy for £80 so complete bargain. It’s got really thick glass but the stand is weird so the tank is actually wider at the sides so it’s actually wider than you think. I think a lot of people think fish swim side to side but you see a lot more exploring from the fish in this deep tank.
@@Fishkeepingmadeeasy It was catching perch as a boy kinda got me into keeping fish. Ive always thought they are stunning looking fish and my mate had a tank with some tiger barbs. As soon as I seen them I wanted them as they reminded me of Perch. So I got a tank of barbs when I was 12. Still wanted the real deal so was excited to set up the perch tank last year. It only has 2 small perch in it.....used to be 4 small perch....and a small pike. He ate 2 of the perch and had to go back to the Loch. He was the same size as the perch too. Amazing what they can fit in there mouths.lesson learned. So it's just the 2 small perch now but I love them. So cool. If perch were from an African lake, I reckon people would queue up for them
How did this work out? I know people with Bala shark that grew a foot in 1 year. Keeping fish in tanks that are too small causes spinal and organ deformity and will lead to early death. That said there are many good fish keeper out there and they shouldn’t be punished by people who just don’t know. So if you really want one - go for it - but please make sure you’re prepared to look after its requirements.
@@Fishkeepingmadeeasy totally fine for juveniles. I’m not picking on you by the way - I’m more annoyed at an industry that sells these to mum & dads. Also I have made mistakes with fish. I’m not perfect but trying to learn to do right by my fish.
Hi loving your channel and your tank is amazing , I have bala sharks , unfortunately your tank is way to small , they need length to swim as fast moves and they will grow super quick as total pigs , ideally they need minimum 5ft tank , sorry
Hi Cathy, I appreciate your comment. This is not their tank for life, this is a 250 litre / 70 Gallon grow out tank for them. They will be going in a 180 gallon. They are currently about 7cm. What size of tank do you keep yours in?
Pleased you took my comment the way it was meant and not horrible , mine are in 7ft , 220 gallon , brilliant fish , well underated , after seeing you on here for 1st time I went out and bought pearl cichlid , think mine is female thoe , stunning fish , loving your channel from the UK
Don’t worry at all I understand. I worked in a local fish shop for two years and the amount of people trying to buy them and keep them in a 100 litre tanks etc is crazy. The guy I got them off had actually been given them as a gift from a family member who didn’t know about fish. He only had I think 150 litres or so. I think He was struggling to get someone to take them away as peoples tanks were likely too small. He was a good responsible fishkeeper, I should have probably included that in the video 😅 Woow! That’s a massive tank! Was it custom built? I can’t wait to get my 180 gallon. I say 180 gallon but I’m hoping I can go bigger! Haha
Yes had it made especially, then had 2×4 tanks made by them as wanted them 2 foot wide as love my American cichlids , you will love it when you get your bigger tank , opens up to a lot more fish
My tank is 250 litres, which I’ll admit is on the smaller side for the species but for the size I got them, it’s a decent size. However, the back story is I got them off someone who had been given them as a gift by a friend who didn’t know anything about fish. He had a very small tank. So I think I did the fish a bit of a favour temporarily. They now live in a much larger tank belonging to one of my friends as my geophagus just didn’t get along with them.
Oh my god so much fun to watch them slurp up worms.❤ Thanks for sharing
i love these been looking at getting some they make a great addition to a tank
I would suggest getting them! Very personal already!
I think they're beautiful fish. Funnily enough I most often see adult ones that have been handed to my LFS for rehoming as people didn't realise how big they get.
Yeah definitely a monster fish! My family members have kept them and from this size it will take a good 18 months to get to a decent size. They do get massive hence why a 70 gallon would be classed as a grow out 😂 you honestly wouldn’t believe how small they look right now haha
I just hope you have the capacity to upgrade to suitable accommodation for 12-14" fish.
I have 2 Bala Sharks. Planning on upsizing my fish tank after Christmas to give them more room to grow.
Ullneed a big tank😊 nice fish
These are great fish unfortunately i only have 1 at the moment but they are very active fish and have a verry unique swim pattern you often see them swimming vertical sometimes even going upside down around plants and ornaments.
That is weird! I’ve never seen that before 😂
My Rainbow Sharks do that
I'm a big fan of the Bala sharks too. Lovely fish.....although I do find they need swimming area over water volume. Perhaps you may find that tank a little small for them, despite the volume as it is really tall but not very wide. It is a very interesting looking tank though, I don't think I've seen a 250L with those dimensions. I really like it. Maybe looks smaller on the video than it actually is, but it doesn't look like it holds 250L. Is it custom made? Anyway, I only recently found your channel and I'm really enjoying it. Well done.....and even better you're a fellow Scotsman. I think yours is the only scottish aquatics channel I've found. Well, Mark's Shrimps too....but he's in Norway.....and I like fish more than shrimps! All the best.
Thanks man! I appreciate that! Yeah the tank is definitely too small in the long run but it’s definitely a lot bigger in real life a lot of people are shocked by it 😂 I’m planning a big 180 Gallon when I move house so should be perfect time for them! I have a few friends who could accommodate them if needed Aka they want them already 😂
@@Fishkeepingmadeeasy A 180g. Man I dream of something like that. My biggest tank (of 22) is only a 55g. It's pretty cool though, everything in it is from loch clunie. The sand/gravel, the rocks, wood plants and Perch. I'd love a 180 to do something similar in.....but I live in an attic flat so no way I can have something like that.......so I need to move, obviously🤣. I'll just have to look forward to seeing your 180 till then. Cheers
Man that is awesome! I’ve always wanted to keep a Perch. I used to catch them in the Canal in Falkirk haha! Yeah I can’t wait either! I’ve lived in a few flats recently and big tanks just aren’t practical haha!
Also to answer your question about the cube, I actually bought it and the stand from a guy for £80 so complete bargain. It’s got really thick glass but the stand is weird so the tank is actually wider at the sides so it’s actually wider than you think. I think a lot of people think fish swim side to side but you see a lot more exploring from the fish in this deep tank.
@@Fishkeepingmadeeasy It was catching perch as a boy kinda got me into keeping fish. Ive always thought they are stunning looking fish and my mate had a tank with some tiger barbs. As soon as I seen them I wanted them as they reminded me of Perch. So I got a tank of barbs when I was 12. Still wanted the real deal so was excited to set up the perch tank last year. It only has 2 small perch in it.....used to be 4 small perch....and a small pike. He ate 2 of the perch and had to go back to the Loch. He was the same size as the perch too. Amazing what they can fit in there mouths.lesson learned. So it's just the 2 small perch now but I love them. So cool. If perch were from an African lake, I reckon people would queue up for them
My one bala shark is constantly chasing other one what to do..? Are they playing or he is bullying the other shark ...?
How did this work out? I know people with Bala shark that grew a foot in 1 year. Keeping fish in tanks that are too small causes spinal and organ deformity and will lead to early death.
That said there are many good fish keeper out there and they shouldn’t be punished by people who just don’t know. So if you really want one - go for it - but please make sure you’re prepared to look after its requirements.
I gave them to a friend as believe it or not my Geophagus tried to eat one. Also the tank is 250 litres so was perfectly fine for a juvenile
@@Fishkeepingmadeeasy totally fine for juveniles. I’m not picking on you by the way - I’m more annoyed at an industry that sells these to mum & dads.
Also I have made mistakes with fish. I’m not perfect but trying to learn to do right by my fish.
They grow very big
Hi loving your channel and your tank is amazing , I have bala sharks , unfortunately your tank is way to small , they need length to swim as fast moves and they will grow super quick as total pigs , ideally they need minimum 5ft tank , sorry
Hi Cathy, I appreciate your comment. This is not their tank for life, this is a 250 litre / 70 Gallon grow out tank for them. They will be going in a 180 gallon. They are currently about 7cm. What size of tank do you keep yours in?
Pleased you took my comment the way it was meant and not horrible , mine are in 7ft , 220 gallon , brilliant fish , well underated , after seeing you on here for 1st time I went out and bought pearl cichlid , think mine is female thoe , stunning fish , loving your channel from the UK
Don’t worry at all I understand. I worked in a local fish shop for two years and the amount of people trying to buy them and keep them in a 100 litre tanks etc is crazy. The guy I got them off had actually been given them as a gift from a family member who didn’t know about fish. He only had I think 150 litres or so. I think He was struggling to get someone to take them away as peoples tanks were likely too small. He was a good responsible fishkeeper, I should have probably included that in the video 😅 Woow! That’s a massive tank! Was it custom built? I can’t wait to get my 180 gallon. I say 180 gallon but I’m hoping I can go bigger! Haha
Yes had it made especially, then had 2×4 tanks made by them as wanted them 2 foot wide as love my American cichlids , you will love it when you get your bigger tank , opens up to a lot more fish
5ft is too small for these fish 8ft X 2ft min for adults.
I've just put 3 Balas in my community tank, 260ltr, 🤞 good luck 👍
Good luck!! Great fish!
Description: Bala Shark Care Guide
Put it in a small tank
🤦♀️
My tank is 250 litres, which I’ll admit is on the smaller side for the species but for the size I got them, it’s a decent size. However, the back story is I got them off someone who had been given them as a gift by a friend who didn’t know anything about fish. He had a very small tank. So I think I did the fish a bit of a favour temporarily. They now live in a much larger tank belonging to one of my friends as my geophagus just didn’t get along with them.
Most bad fish