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	Balas in a 30 Gal?
harleysiber Fish Addict Posts: 591 Kudos: 554 Votes: 47 Registered: 11-Aug-2003	OK, finally finished moving all my cichlids to the new 55g. Going to sleep staring at a now empty 30g is really weird. My boyfriend really really wants Balas, and I want them too, but I think a school of 3 would outgrow the 30 in almost no time. I have this need for bottmfeeders in my tanks, and also want to see some Pictus Cats in there. Is there any way I can do this in a 30gal tank? Such as 2 Balas and one Pictus, or would this result in stressed-out schoolers?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005	My step dad as a bala in his 30 gal. It seems to be a pretty slow grower so you would probably be fine for a while. I don't really know about a pitcus though... Last edited by Wingsdlc at 17-Apr-2005 10:31 55G Planted tank thread 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52
harleysiber Fish Addict Posts: 591 Kudos: 554 Votes: 47 Registered: 11-Aug-2003	From what I've read, Pictus only get 5-6 inches long, but they, along with Balas, are schooling fish. That's what I'm more scared of. I know that one Bala and a couple Pictus would stock well, I just want to keep them all happy. And I now just realized my Bulldog Pleco may want a bigger home than the 10g. Good thing this tank is empty right now!!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52
littlemousling Conchiform Posts: 5230 Registered: 23-Aug-2003	The pictus, possibly, though it's a schooler and you'd want a group. It'd be a pretty small tank for them, though. The balas - sorry, but no way. These fish hit 14" generally, and often as much as 18", and they're VERY, VERY active schoolers. If it were up to me they wouldn't be sold except through specialty orders. Even a 6' tank to a groups of "smaller" (12" balas is like putting a bunch of zebra danios in a 6" x 2" x 2" box - just plain too small. -Molly Visit shelldwellers.com!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52
Doedogg Banned Posts: 408 Kudos: 737 Votes: 445 Registered: 28-Jan-2004	and balas grow fast, my SIL has had some for just over a year and they have gotten huge. I used to be Snow White, but I drifted. ~ Mae West
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52
OldTimer Mega Fish USAF Retired Posts: 1181 Kudos: 1294 Votes: 809 Registered: 08-Feb-2005	Agree, the balas are going to get way too large and way too fast to go in a 30 gallon. I don't think I would keep the pictus there either as they are very active, like a lot of swimming room and will become cramped in this size of tank. Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52
Natalie Ultimate Fish Guru Apolay Wayyioy Posts: 4499 Kudos: 3730 Votes: 348 Registered: 01-Feb-2003	A couple of pictus cats would be fine in your tank, though, just as long as there are not any really small fish. True pictus cats, Pimelodus pictus, have a max size of only 4.5". And despite what many people think they are actually not schoolers or even shoalers. They are solitary fish that can be kept in groups if one wishes. So if you wanted to, you could get one or two for your tank. I wouldn't put any more than that though, as there will not be enough room for all three of them on the bottom of the tank. [hr width='20%'] "They package brine shrimp and sell them to kids? That's not right, man!" I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52
harleysiber Fish Addict Posts: 591 Kudos: 554 Votes: 47 Registered: 11-Aug-2003	Thanks for the input, everyone. I just have to find a way to break the bad news to my boyfriend. I hope he'll settle for a Pictus and a couple smaller fish. Would Angels be OK with a Pictus?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52
Natalie Ultimate Fish Guru Apolay Wayyioy Posts: 4499 Kudos: 3730 Votes: 348 Registered: 01-Feb-2003	Yes, angels and pictus cats will be fine together. [hr width='20%'] "They package brine shrimp and sell them to kids? That's not right, man!" Last edited by Cory Addict at 17-Apr-2005 17:28 I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52
harleysiber Fish Addict Posts: 591 Kudos: 554 Votes: 47 Registered: 11-Aug-2003	Yay!!!!!! See, I just had to find the right thing to keep him happy. He's going to be so upset by no Balas though, he was sooo looking forward to them. I'll be even tougher now that I just took out all the decorations and did a total clean. Now we're going to go to sleep looking at an exmpty box of water. :%) I have an odd feeling we're going fish shopping tomorrow.... I taught him well.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52
freeblaze Enthusiast Posts: 279 Kudos: 421 Votes: 40 Registered: 27-Feb-2004	I agree with Cory..
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52
harleysiber Fish Addict Posts: 591 Kudos: 554 Votes: 47 Registered: 11-Aug-2003	Cool. He's still crying over the Balas. I told him we just need a big big big tank so we can have lots... he seemed a bit happier... even though we have no space for a 500gal (hee hee hee, I'm horrible)
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52


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