Now before i get a bunch of answers saying that this is a stupid idea, i just want to explain how difficult it is just to be writing this question…My younger brother, Michael, always loved fish just as much as i do. Honestly its too much to go on about him but Michael helped my set up my 75 gallon tank for the last time (as i always change the fish stock around frequently). Right now, it has 6 young Silver Dollar Tetras, a young male Firemouth cichlid, and a young 3 inch Bala Shark. The bala shark was specifically picked out by my brother at the petstore with me exactly 7 days ago. I know they are a large schooling fish and i knew i didnt have the right size tank to have a group of Bala’s but I gave in and i bought a single Bala shark because he had, for a long time, always wanted to have one bala in my tank that he could say was “his fish.” Exactly 5 days ago, Michael was suddenly and abruptly taken from myself and our family. At 11 years old, Michael was hit and killed by a speeding drunk driver while him and two of his friends were biking downtown to pick up a pizza to bring back home. I can’t hold back the tears as I type this as its just been the most horrible and devastating loss i’ve ever experienced. My fish tank was always an anxiety escape for me, and since ive lost him, i’ve been an absolute wreck. I’ve been using my fish tank more then ever to try and distract myself from Michael’s death, and every time i stand in front of that tank, i see the lone bala shark, the one that he specifically picked out and begged me to get. All i want to do with that Bala, is honor and remember Michael through it. I know 75 gallons is small for a bala of adult size, and i don’t see being able to get a larger tank anytime soon…but i need that fish, and i need to keep it as healthy as possible for michael.
I suppose my question is, with the current fish stock that i have, can i get one or two more bala sharks in that tank so that Michael’s Bala doesn’t feel so alone (as they are a schooling fish). I want to do this so it has less of a chance of becoming stressed out from being alone and becoming sick from stress or possibly dying from stress. It’s fine now, but i need to keep it that way, and adding another shark or two to be in a group with would surely help…but can it really be done in a 75 gallon tank???
please any and all input is greatly appreciated…i know they’re just fish, but fish have been a passion of mine for years, and that bala shark is just another way for me to honor and remember my little brother and best friend. R.I.P bro, i love you forever…
Thanks
-Chris