What size tank

[Crystal Dragon]

I want to raise some Silver (bala) sharks, Irid (iridecent) sharks, red fin/rainbow sharks, and some black fin sharks. is it a good idea to start them in a 10 gallon tank?

[cindywindy]

Holy crap, dude. You're kidding ... right ?

[Kerrinne]

I don't know a lot about fish yet, but I'd have to say that was VERY off. I thought I remember someone saying one bala shark alone needed like a 75 [acronym:091b041fc1="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:091b041fc1] or something tank. Maybe my memory is ajar, but it was much larger than a 10 [acronym:091b041fc1="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:091b041fc1].

[Bearfan]

Bala Sharks - 14" minimum tank 55 [acronym:a5ab13a41c="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:a5ab13a41c]

Iridescent Sharks - 36" Minimum tank 90 [acronym:a5ab13a41c="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:a5ab13a41c], but will need larger if they grow to full length.

Rainbow Sharks - 10" and must keep at least 6 to prevent quarreling Minimum tank 55 [acronym:a5ab13a41c="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:a5ab13a41c].

Black fin Sharks - 24" and extremely aggressive. Minimum tank 120 [acronym:a5ab13a41c="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:a5ab13a41c]

None of these can be kept in a 10 gallon.

[fish_doc]

That would work at first but only for a very brief period. In addition having that many bottom feeders of any size in a ten gallon tank is not a good idea. The rainbow sharks and black fin sharks would probably fight quite a bit and possibly kill each other if not the others to as they grow. Many bottom feeders are very territorial and the rainbow and blackfin look so much alike they do not like each others company. I would stick with a banjo cat or corydora. They are both fun fish the banjo is a interesting looking fish and the corys are nice and active.

[tkos]

I assume this is a joke. Heck, the name shark alone should give you a clue. Balas need groups of 5 or so to be really happy and are super jumpers. They need a huge tank with a closed top.

[azn dreamer]

Its definately a bad idea to start them off in a 10 gallon tank. Your tank is way too overcrowded and you'll see dead sharks within a few days.

[Crystal Dragon]

i dont have them yet! i just needed to know before i wasted money.... and no i wasnt kidding. but the ones i saw were SMALL! they were barely an inch long. and i dont got the kind of cash i would need for a 150 [acronym:c7e072693a="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:c7e072693a] tank. then tell me WHY did i manage to keep a bala shark, an irid shark, and a cat fish alive for a little over a month in a 2.5 [acronym:c7e072693a="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:c7e072693a] tank?

[fish_doc]

bala sharks are actually the most peaceful of what you listed. But They can be kept for easily over 10 years if in a large enough tank with enough room to move. In fact most of those fish you listed can live many years with the proper space and quality water conditions.
Here is a photo of one of my balas

and him in a 60 gallon

He is off to the side in this photo.
Ignore the fish_n_hole I use that handle on several other boards. These pictures were taken about 2 years ago and all the fish in the tank are still alive and even bigger than they were in these photos.
i'm sure everyone did not mean to sound so astounded with your request but it did come as a surprise to many. At least you are asking and trying to learn before going forward with your new tank and that is a first step to becoming a great fishkeeper.

[grimlock3000]

"then tell me WHY did i manage to keep a bala shark, an irid shark, and a cat fish alive for a little over a month in a 2.5 [acronym:31c2a54e1e="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:31c2a54e1e] tank?"

I could throw my dog in a closet and I bet he would live for quite a while in there, that does not mean it is right You will find that a lot of people around here (myself included) are very concerned in the health of the fish. The sad truth is that the many fish sold in pet stores are sent off to an untimely death when they are sold. The fish you are looking at require very large tank to be healthy, there is no way around it. If you want a shark in a smaller, you could go for something like a Red Tail shark in a 20g+ tank with some other smaller fish you like.