Can bala sharks live with mollies?

Verdict

Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Bala sharks and mollies can share a tank, but watch one thing. Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.5.

Bala shark72–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5

Molly72–82°F · pH 7.5–8.5

What to watch

Watch outWater chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.5.
Watch outBala sharks grow to 13 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for mollies.

What works

Both are fine at 72–82°F.
They use different parts of the tank: bala sharks the mid, mollies the top.

Water side by side

The green band is the temperature range both can live in.

The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

	Bala shark	Molly
Temperature	72–82 °F	72–82 °F
pH	6.5–7.5	7.5–8.5
Adult size	13.0 in	4.0 in
Minimum tank	125 gal	20 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Peaceful
Swims at	Middle	Top
Group	Groups of 4+	Groups of 3+
Diet	Omnivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for bala sharks

All bala shark tank mates

Better tank mates for mollies

All molly tank mates

Questions

Can bala sharks live with mollies?

Yes, with care. Bala sharks and mollies can share a tank, but watch one thing. Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.5.

What temperature suits both bala sharks and mollies?

72–82 °F. Bala sharks need 72–82 °F, mollies need 72–82 °F.

What size tank do bala sharks and mollies need together?

At least 125 gal, set by the bala shark. Add space for each extra fish.