Centerpiece fish for community tank

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OutbackJack

OutbackJack

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Nov 14, 2023
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For starters, I know that fish will eat other fish if they fit in their mouths (or die trying lol)

However, I'd love a nice centerpiece fish for my 150 gallon community tank.

8x Bloodfin Tetras
4x Dojo Loaches
2x Electric Blue Acaras
3x Bala Sharks (yea I know they get big but I've heard that takes a LONG time, reckon I got enough time to upgrade tanks before then)
1x albino pleco
2x bumblebee catfish

Was thinking about getting a snakeskin gourami too. Lol

But yall have any suggestions on anything compatible that'd be beautiful with these? Like... a larger fish with a small mouth? Lol
 
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cockroach said:
Your bala sharks will eventually grow into the centre show piece. Big, Silver and Active.
However, if you swap out the tetras for a larger one like diamond tetras for example, you open up a lot more options.
Click to expand...

Yea I was thinking about giving the bloodfin tetras to my fiancee when she gets herself a larger tank lol I love them though, they're beautiful fish.

What's the average growth rate of a bala shark? I was reading it could take years for them just to get to 7 inches.
 
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The grwoth rate is debated all over the internet. Here are some links to peruse:

How fast do Bala sharks grow?

As the title says, How fast do Bala sharks grow? And what inhibits or helps their growth Thanks
www.monsterfishkeepers.com www.monsterfishkeepers.com

Here states: 1"-3" per month
www.fishlaboratory.com

Bala Shark (Balantiocheilus Melanopterus): Ultimate Care Guide - Fish Laboratory

Bala Sharks (Balantiocheilus Melanopterus) have silver bodies with very defined scales. Their body shape appears similar to the body shape of most sharks.
www.fishlaboratory.com www.fishlaboratory.com

Again stating pretty fast growth depending on quality of water, feed and size tank.
www.aquariumnexus.com

Bala Shark Size: How Big Do They Get? - AquariumNexus

Explore the growth potential of Bala Sharks in this informative article, aimed to educate on their size, health, and ideal living conditions.
www.aquariumnexus.com www.aquariumnexus.com

Mixed reviews
 
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OutbackJack said:
For starters, I know that fish will eat other fish if they fit in their mouths (or die trying lol)

However, I'd love a nice centerpiece fish for my 150 gallon community tank.

8x Bloodfin Tetras
4x Dojo Loaches
2x Electric Blue Acaras
3x Bala Sharks (yea I know they get big but I've heard that takes a LONG time, reckon I got enough time to upgrade tanks before then)
1x albino pleco
2x bumblebee catfish

Was thinking about getting a snakeskin gourami too. Lol

But yall have any suggestions on anything compatible that'd be beautiful with these? Like... a larger fish with a small mouth? Lol
Click to expand...

Perhaps Blood Parrots?
 
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I would just get larger groups of tetras, dojos and blue acaras. That sounds like a great tank actually. Lots of activity and color.

The balas will fill out the tank imo, no need for any larger fish. Theyre actually one of the only larger fish i know that wont eat small fish. I have 3 now that ive grown from 2-3" to now 6-7" in about 2 years time. They have been in the "slow boat" garage tank that i keep room temperature and feed sparingly once a day.

If you did want to mix in larger fish, i would recommend severum cichlids. They get to similar size as balas, are mild mannered as far as cichlids go, and have smaller mouths that wont swallow tetras or dojo loaches (as long as the dojos are not tiny). Just be aware that as all these larger fish grow your need for maintenance/water changes will increase quickly.
 
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Backfromthedead said:
I would just get larger groups of tetras, dojos and blue acaras. That sounds like a great tank actually. Lots of activity and color.

The balas will fill out the tank imo, no need for any larger fish. Theyre actually one of the only larger fish i know that wont eat small fish. I have 3 now that ive grown from 2-3" to now 6-7" in about 2 years time. They have been in the "slow boat" garage tank that i keep room temperature and feed sparingly once a day.

If you did want to mix in larger fish, i would recommend severum cichlids. They get to similar size as balas, are mild mannered as far as cichlids go, and have smaller mouths that wont swallow tetras or dojo loaches (as long as the dojos are not tiny). Just be aware that as all these larger fish grow your need for maintenance/water changes will increase quickly.
Click to expand...

I may add some more tetras because watching the bloodfins school is really something else. I may have to limit myself on the dojos because they're goofy enough but the EBAs, I may buy more of. Even the two I have, 3 inch +/-, are stellar. However, I've read you want to keep them in even number groups but that's not an issue.

Severums have also been on my radar for a little while now.

I really just appreciate the wealth of information y'all provide. Literally better than Google or anything else lol

I ritualistically clean filters plus water changes so I understand :)
 
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