Whoa... Bala sharks... 12-14 inches? Really?!

[SpaceButler]

I've read a few bios of balas, including the one on this site, saying that they can reach like 13-14". Has anyone every seen on this big? I'd like to see a pic or movie that will show it's relative size.

EDIT: Or is this one of those things where like, one bala has to be housed alone in a 300 Gallon to get a foot long?

 

[Fluff]

Balas actually like company and do well kept in small groups. I've read that they can get to be 10" but the largest one I've ever seen personally was about 8".

 

[KaiserFish]

I've seen 2 or 3 that were in the 10-12 inch range. They lose a bit of their sleekness at that size and their body becomes much more filled out.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/pictures/bala.jpg

 

[Bearfan]

I've had them around 10 inches, but I've seen them around 12 inches.

 

[Toirtis]

I've seen 2 or 3 that were in the 10-12 inch range. They lose a bit of their sleekness at that size and their body becomes much more filled out.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/pictures/bala.jpg

Ditto...I have seen a few (probably 10 or so) that were 12"+....most never reach that size from improper care or too small aquariums (causing them to jump top their deaths, or kill themselves in panicked darting around the tank).