Arowana and Bala Sharks

[Masa_Rov]

Hi.

I have a small arowana with 9 (!) small bala sharks.

I have two questions:

1. Will the balas become food for the arowana or will they grow fast enough not to be eaten? The arowana and the balas are all about 3 "

2. They are in a 125-gallon tank. How soon will I have to put them in a larger tank?

Thank you.

Masa Rov

 

[The TRUST]

The arowana will grow much faster than the balas and will definitely make short owrk of them soon.

 

[Masa_Rov]

How soon is "soon"? They are all about three inches in length.

Will the pleco also be in danger. The pleco is now about 8". I have had it for 4 years or so (maybe 5). I have no idea what kind of pleco it is, except it was called common when I got it at about 2". The question for me is whether it will keep on growing.

The arowana eats now Hikari sticks and freeze dried shrimp (after I have removed the exoskeleton). The store where I got it was trying to feed it crickets with no luck, but right now it shows a very hearty appetite. I would like its diet to be principally already prepared food.

Masa Rov

 

[DeLgAdO]

Yo trust i find that very untrue, my arow and bals get along great recently my balas got too big to eat but when i first got em, my arow and balas they got along great, she never tried to eat them. I suppose it depends on the individual personality of the fish. I guess its cause my arow never ate live food and had no idea what it taste like.

 

[redtailfool]

How soon is "soon"? They are all about three inches in length.

Will the pleco also be in danger. The pleco is now about 8". I have had it for 4 years or so (maybe 5). I have no idea what kind of pleco it is, except it was called common when I got it at about 2". The question for me is whether it will keep on growing.

The arowana eats now Hikari sticks and freeze dried shrimp (after I have removed the exoskeleton). The store where I got it was trying to feed it crickets with no luck, but right now it shows a very hearty appetite. I would like its diet to be principally already prepared food.

Masa Rov

Just make sure the size difference is not too great. Anything less than half the size of the aro is suspect.

 

[IoStrisciare]

I seriously doubt there will be fatalities in your tank for several reasons.

1) The balas can outrun the aro anytime.

2) The 2 species occupy diff areas of the tank and unlikely to clash over territory.

3) The aro now is eating artificial food which means he will only attempt to eat live
food only unless he is starving which will be highly unlikely.

4) Silver aros are remarkably placid most of the times.

 

[redtailfool]

I seriously doubt there will be fatalities in your tank for several reasons.

1) The balas can outrun the aro anytime.

2) The 2 species occupy diff areas of the tank and unlikely to clash over territory.

3) The aro now is eating artificial food which means he will only attempt to eat live
food only unless he is starving which will be highly unlikely.

4) Silver aros are remarkably placid most of the times.


You sure can try. Ive had balas kia by oscars which are smaller and slower than silver aros . Im just trying to be on the cautious side here .

 

[piranha45]

I seriously doubt there will be fatalities in your tank for several reasons.

1) The balas can outrun the aro anytime.

Predators are renowned for eating live food at night-- balas have to sleep some time, and while predators do too, predators don't mind staying up a little later than usual for an easy live meal. I'd never consider speed to be an aid against a predator.

 

[IoStrisciare]

Predators are renowned for eating live food at night-- balas have to sleep some time, and while predators do too, predators don't mind staying up a little later than usual for an easy live meal. I'd never consider speed to be an aid against a predator.

balas aren't exactly full time herbivores either.

 

[redtailfool]

Predators are renowned for eating live food at night-- balas have to sleep some time, and while predators do too, predators don't mind staying up a little later than usual for an easy live meal. I'd never consider speed to be an aid against a predator.

exactly. Just my 2 cents. Like i said, you can try and experiment. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesnt. if you dont mind losing balas then just go for it.