Loaches and a Bala shark

[raecarrow]

Hey everyone, I have a question. I have a friend who is trying to get rid of a 40-55 gallon tank (I don't know which it is for sure). What I do know is that it comes with a 6-8in bala shark. Do bala sharks get along well with loaches or will I have to rehome the fish to use this as a loach tank? From what a read, the tank parameters are similar to that of my Striata and Almorhae. Will they get along with the loaches? Will I need to get buddies for the bala as I read that they are schooling fish?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

[Diana]

Bala sharks are highly active, schooling fish that can reach a foot long. They can be quite skittish to the point of darting along the length of the tank and crashing into the end so hard they can kill them selves. Much the best set up is a tank at least 8' long (2.5 meters) and well planted at both ends.
As you are already aware keeping a school of foot long fish (Clown Loaches or Bala sharks) will call for a large tank simply from the point of view of diluting the waste between water changes.
I would not combine them unless you really have a BIG tank.

[raecarrow]

So I should probably rehome him after I get the tank?

[Diana]

Yes, I would not keep him unless I was ready to go all the way with a really big tank.
This is another example of a fish that ought not be available for average aquariums.

[raecarrow]

Thanks for the info. He is currently being kept in the 48" by 18" tank all by himself. I will try to rehome him with someone who knows what they are doing once I get the tank and fish moved to my place. Thanks.