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I'm getting together a larger 6 foot tank(150G), because I have 6 Bala Sharks (now 6 inches) that will eventually grow to 12 inches, or more. (Sorry Guys, I bought them BEFORE I read here that they were endangered, thanks for letting me know).

But, since I now have them and want to keep them happy and healthy, the big long tank will be coming before too long.

My question is: Can I also have 6 or so Discus compatibly in the same tank for color?

dS

Hmm, that could prove to be a problematic combination. The Bala Sharks are big, active fishes, while the Discus are sedentary and rather nervous.

If you're looking for something that would be colourful and compatible, something like Denison's Barbs would probably be a better choice. Depending upon the sort of Discus you had in mind, the Denison's might actually be cheaper too!

A 150 gallon setup would also be big enough for you to be able to entertain a Red Tailed Black Shark without having to worry about it outgrowing that aquarium. It would grow to a hefty size in 150 gallons. Mind you, you would have to bear in mind that an RTBS is a feisty customer. and you'd have to ask yourself if it would be compatible with the Bala Sharks, though they're fast enough to stay out of trouble and usually stay near the surface, so I don't anticipate major problems in a 150g.

Alternatively, you could go for the bigger Rainbow Fishes. They would provide a riot of colour, and you would have NO compatibilty problems whatsoever once they reached a decent size. There are several extremely colourful species that reach 6 inches, and which would therefore be reasonably safe alongside the Bala Sharks even when they grew to be big.

Another possibility if you're looking for a "show fish" is to acquire a Synodontis eupterus catfish. That will grow to be nice and large in a 150 gallon, and would have plenty of space to find a territory of its own without being too fractious about sharing its home with the Balas.

One other possibility, though this is one you would have to choose with care, is Distichodus sexfasciatus, a large Characoid fish from Africa. This has colouration similar to a Clown Loach, but would be a midwater swimmer. Watch this one like a hawk though, because it is aggressive, and it is also a rocket propelled jumper.

If you're set on acquiring a Cichlid species, 150 gallons gives you a fair number of options. However, your best bet would be to consult Jason_RS on this front, as he'd be able to advise you on an appropriate choice of Cichlid that wouldn't grow to a ridiculous size or be psychotically aggressive - there's some nice showy Cichlids out there, but some of them can be out and out aquarium terrorists ... I would avoid Caquetaia or Nandopsis Cichlids like the plague in this respect, and likewise steer clear of Black Belts or Trimacs. Likewise I would DEFINITELY avoid the Guapotes of the Genus Parachromis, as those fishes grow to be HUGE, and are also likely to be seriously bad tempered if they don't have enough space. Even the "smaller" ones are 14 inch fishes, and strongly territorial, while Parachromis dovii is a total tank buster that you're advised to leave well alone until you move up to a 300 gallon tank!

One nice species is Amphilophus robertsoni, but before even thinking about that one, I'd get Jason to confirm its habits and adult size, to make sure that you weren't taking on a nightmare acquisition, as it's a species I'm not familiar with and though it's beautiful as an adult, Jason would be FAR better placed to advise you on any aggression issues you would have to face if you chose it.

Another colourful big Cichlid is ex-Cichlasoma bocourti, but again, ask Jason first before trusting one of these with your Bala Sharks.

One that's described as fine with other 'moderately aggressive' Cichlids on The Cichlid Room website is Hoplarchus psittacus, the True Parrot Cichlid from South America. Water chemistry wise it would be compatible with your Bala Sharks, but it's a big fish, reaching 35 cm as an adult. Might be pushing it to house that with your Bala Sharks even in a 150, but as far as I can ascertain, it wouldn't be especially bad tempered, and it would make an outstanding show fish once it matured into its stunning emerald-green colouration.

Basically, if you're looking for a showy Cichlid, ask Jason. If you decide to run with the larger Rainbowfishes, on the other hand, I don't anticipate compatibility problems, though they'd probably give you a facial tic watching them after a while!

[Edited for broken tags]

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

No Calilasseia,
I definitely am not set on only cichlids.
I'm looking for peaceful schooling fish (like the Bala Sharks)and any other fish that get 4 to 6 inches long that either school among their own group...and/or have really good colors.

I will be bringing a (now) 5" Red Tailed Shark over from another 55g tank, along with the Bala Sharks, 2 very pretty Stripefin Eartheaters, and 5 pictus catfish, and 4 Clown Loaches.

I Definitely Do Not want Aggression.
I want peaceful tranquility, movement(schooling) and color.
Don't care for Parrot Fish, really.

What other fish that are peaceful...get's the size I'd like and are schooling and colorful would you recommend, friend?

How about 8 (or so)Rosy Barbs, they are colorful, get 5" and school too. Would that be a good total mix??

Rosy barbs would be good. So would giant danios (yellow and green). Larger rainbowfish might be appropriate too, but I don't know rainbows that well.

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If you want something that schools and is colorful then rainbows are a great fish to try. They tend to be a little expensive but are extremely pretty. Most will change colors when showing off to the ladies in the tank.

If rainbows cost too much you could try giant danios. they are very pretty too but not like rainbows.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
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