], Top 10 Blood Parrot Cichlid Tank Mates (With Pictures! It's a good idea to check your other fish for signs of sickness, and check that your plants aren't rotting in the water. By the time youre finished reading, youll know a ton about them and be able to decide if theyre a good fit for you. Learn more. Being able to maintain a small ecosystem and observe the behaviors and interactions in the underwater world peaked his interest early on and has kept him hooked until this day. Species such as neon tetras may be great in most community tanks, but will likely turn into a tasty snack for a hungry bala shark. Jeff has always enjoyed having pets, but as a child, he was drawn to his familys fish tank. I just brought home a 5" Bala Shark from Petsmart. I would feed everyone as normal but see if he eats? To play it safe we always recommend a minimum tank size thats on the larger end of this spectrum as a starting point. When in their natural habitat, Bala Sharks are omnivores that eat insects, larvae, algae, plant portions, and small crustaceans. Later, fry can be given cyclops or nauplii of artemia. While some bala shark owners have noticed twitching in tandem with stressors or illness, its not indicative of correlation; it may just be a coincidence. Poor water conditions are the main reason why bala sharks suffer from stress. Make sure these are working properly. Dropsy can happen for a variety of reasons, but its usually an indication of other problems, such as poor water quality, malfunctioning liver, or bacterial infections. He is also a proud member of the, Fishkeeping Worlds 4-in-1 Bundle Set eBook. You might also have to ask the vet for an antibiotic to make your sick fish feel better. 150 gallons may seem like a huge space and financial commitment, and it is. Interested males and females will spawn early in the morning, lasting for a couple of hours. Its body is lighter gray at the top than at the bottom.Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',145,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-banner-1','ezslot_5',145,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-banner-1-0_1');.banner-1-multi-145{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding-bottom:10px!important;padding-top:10px!important;text-align:center!important}The bala sharks small, closely-packed scales are iridescent, meaning that they reflect light as the fish moves, creating a shimmering appearance.Typical BehaviorThe bala shark is a peaceful fish that gets along well with other peaceful species in a community tank. Maybe he's just stressed from all the bagging, was he acting normal in the petstore tanks? Because of their immense potential size, it is best to keep bala sharks away from tiny fish. The other one does not have this and I can't recall seeing it before on this one. In most cases, Bala Sharks will play dead when they go into shock, which is somewhat similar to humans fainting. Sometimes, Bala Sharks may charge into the glass walls due to their active and fast swimming. Set up your bala sharks tank to replicate the fishs habitat in the wild. If you notice they are rubbing against other fish or against something in the tank, it could be indicative of an illness or infection. Theres also no need to fill bala sharks tanks with rocks or plants. Some aquarists decide they would rather go with something that doesnt need such a large tank, and others get hooked on the idea of owning a Bala Shark right from the get-go. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. If something in your aquarium is causing this, remove it and either isolate it (if its another fish) or take your bala shark to a vet for further analysis. After the female spawns, the male will then fertilize the spawned eggs with a substance called milt. Sep 25, 2011. Stress weakens the fishs immune system, so you might see white spots appearing on their bodies. Making sure that the fish have the right diet suited for their size and breed goes a long way towards ensuring their future health and extending their lifespan. What does this mean for you? While some bacteria are necessary for the ecosystem of the aquarium, others can harm your fish. Read more about me here. However, these fish tend to get along well with many types of freshwater aquarium fish. A larger predator could nip or become aggressive towards them. My name is Jeff, and my goal with this site is to share everything I've learned over the years about caring for aquatic life. white spots to appear on the Bala Sharks skin, Introducing contaminated food, fish, or water. No additional supplements are required as long as the fish has a balanced, diverse diet. We earn commissions when you buy through our links. These fish are sensitive to changing water parameters, so maintaining consistent water parameters and carrying out regular 2030% water changes are essential to prevent disease and stress. Some external infections may also cause scale loss, but its usually accompanied by other alarming symptoms like bleeding and deformation. Bala sharks prefer fast-flowing waters, and swim in the midwater regions of their habitat. Some food types can make the balas sick and stressed. Within 24 hours, small larvae can begin to be visible. As such, its not uncommon to see them twitching around while they are trying to understand and get to know your aquarium. Feed the fry ciliates, then switch to nauplii of artemia or cyclops once the fry are four days old.Keep the fry in a separate tank until the fish reach six months old or four inches long.Should You Get a Bala Shark for Your Aquarium?Bala sharks are unique-looking fish that provide plenty of entertainment in a home aquarium.You should get a bala shark if you have plenty of space for at least five of these active shoaling fish. You can easily accomplish this with a solid heater. Jeff has always enjoyed having pets, but as a child, he was drawn to his familys fish tank. Bala Shark Breeding Guide (Everything You Need to Know), The Best Bala Shark Tank Size for Optimal Health. If you choose to have bala sharks in an aquarium with other fish of its kind or other fish that you know they can get along with, youre going to need a very big aquarium. I decided that since it is a schooling fish that can get to a foot long, and my biggest tank is only 4 feet long that it would be best not to go that route. Reduced immunity due to other diseases or poor nutrition. On Avid Aquarist, Jeff shares everything hes learned about helping aquatic life survive and thrive in a home aquarium. Byron. This species is not a true shark, but is commonly so called because of its torpedo -shaped body and large fins. Great tank mates for bala sharks include: In the wild, the bala sharks diet consists of insects, small crustaceans, plant matter, algae, and larvae. The fishs ventral fins are small and colored black or gray. Although bala sharks are extremely docile as far as aquarium fish go, they still need to be kept with other decent-sized fish. Loneliness And Boredom In Fish: An In-Depth Analysis, Can Fish Swim Backwards? Good examples include clown loaches, boesemani rainbowfish, and angelfish. Besides water quality, the lack of vitamin A could also cause visual problems characterized by cloudy eyes and impaired vision. Look for nutritious foods that provide the vitamins, minerals, and proteins needed for these fish to grow to their full potential.Diversify feeding by adding live, high-protein foods like bloodworms and shrimp to the tank, and regularly feed the fish plankton, diced fruits, greens, and vegetables to fortify the fishs health.Bala sharks should be fed up to three times per day. Theyre found in tanks, The Dojo Loach (aka Weather Loach or Pond Loach) is one of our all-time favorite freshwater species. We understand that a huge tank is daunting, but its also a good way to gauge if youre truly prepared to take on the task of raising these giant fish. Many fish owners also like to add a bit of finely diced spinach and/or fruits as well. Keeping one bala shark in a tank is a significant stressor. Tankarium is reader-supported. That said, their easy-going feeding habits doesnt mean you should feed them anything and everything. Aggressive and non-compatible tank mates can make bala sharks stressed. The fry can be fed with ciliates at first. A member of the Cyprinidae family of fish species, they (Balantiocheilus melanopterus) prefer fast-flowing rivers and streams in the Southeastern Asia countries of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand. 3. Fish with Ich have white spots on their scales and are often seen flashing (or scratching) against rough surfaces in the tank. They may not know what to do with themselves if they dont have enough room to swim back and forth in the aquarium. Bala Sharks may show signs of stress in various situations, such as: Keeping a single Bala Shark in the tank for a long time (you should keep at least 4 to 6) When it comes to plants and decor, bala sharks arent too fussy. Clown Loaches are one of the most popular freshwater fish in the aquarium scene. Of course, you can always opt to use a smaller tank at first, then size up as your bala shark gets larger. After the spawning and fertilization takes place, it is necessary to then remove the parent fish from the tank. Overcrowding can stress balas greatly, and they might even leap out of the tank to die if their aquarium is too overcrowded. The most popular signs of stress are lack of activity and lost appetite. Fish infected with Ich develop a sprinkling of tiny white spots on their fins, gill covers, and bodies. Yet, you should still take it seriously and isolate the fish until it regains its full health completely. 5. Aquarium Source is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 5. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. For instance, include a few plants to help keep the water clean, such as live plants like Java ferns, Anubias, or Vallisneria. ), Bala Shark Has White Spots? You can buy them from the following reputable online stores: Bala sharks have long, silver bodies with bold, pointed fins. Please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for any animal or pet-related medical advice. Bala Sharks are prone to external parasites, which are parasites that attach themselves directly to the body of the fish or its gills for nutrition. It is necessary to prep a Bala Shark before they are of age to breed. Chief among these requirements is strong water flow, coupled with good oxygenation. Fish with Ich have white spots on their scales and are often seen flashing (or scratching) against rough surfaces in the tank.Treat ich by removing the affected fish and placing them in a quarantine tank containing water that is a couple of degrees warmer than the home tanks temperature. While another theory is that bala sharks twitch to communicate with other fish, either to defend themselves or intimidate others. Think carefully before choosing tank mates for your bala sharks, as they might stress them and make them uncomfortable. They may be tiny when you first pick them up from the pet store, but will grow rapidly and exponentially with proper care. The bala sharks natural habitat is lakes and fast-flowing rivers and streams in Southeast Asia. Since these fish prefer plants and other objects to hide in, it is better to place these along the sides of the aquarium to leave enough room for movement elsewhere. We may earn a small commission through products purchased using links on this page. Here are a few things youll need: With a little bit of care and dedication, your bala sharks should thrive in your tank! Dropsy is a buildup of fluid inside the fish and is usually a symptom of a bacterial or parasitic infection. Fish owners should also be aware that fish kept in captivity will not typically reproduce or breed. 4. The typical cost of a bala shark is $7 . All fish are stressed by being netted and moved to a new environment, and many take time to regain their normal behaviours. You likely dont have to worry about predators in your aquarium, but if they are housed with fish that share dissimilar temperaments, they might feel prone to defensive or aggressive behaviors in an act of self-preservation. These can provide visual interest and places for your bala shark to hide and explore. Bala sharks also arent the only types of fish that twitch. Fish that are getting sick from water might exhibit behavior similar to twitching. I have 2 balas and 3 Corey cats what kind of fruit and vegetables can I feed them and what plants can I put in there tank, I have a massive bala sharj i keep her in a 3ft tank she is housed with baby cichlids bristlenose plecs & male & female kribs she gets on great with them & leaves the babies alone i change water every 2 weeks & clean internal filter every week i had 4 to start with but 3 died but had her years learnt well & i have never done ph tests theres rocks boat & plastic plants along the botton plus i have 2 air supplies running & shes very happy but does not like ne in her tank as she splashes ne loads when it comes to tank clean but i must say i love her lol, I love reading the ads my bala shark is in a 3 foot tank also in there are african cichlid fry 2 kribs male female & 2 female * 1 male bristle nose plecs that breed so have pleco fry aswell * it works well. It is recommended that Bala Sharks be given a good quality dry fish food like pellets or flakes as their main food source. If you have just 1 bala shark, its not really surprising it gets stressed, and stress can lead to other ill health issues. Making this a habit will help you provide better care for your Bala Sharks, and prevent you from having to deal with unwanted surprises. My name is Jeff, and my goal with this site is to share everything I've learned over the years about caring for aquatic life. All these parasites come with new additions to the tank, whether its water, food, new fish, etc. Bala Sharks can be somewhat vulnerable if their tank water becomes dirty or when the tank water level lowers. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Symptoms: White, wriggling parasites that can be seen attached to the outer skin of the fish. This can stress out smaller fish that tend to move less. In their native habitats, Bala Sharks are also known by other names that include Tricolor Shark, Silver Bala, Silver Shark and Tri Color Minnows due to their unique colors and markings. This is when they are around 4 months old. How many sharks do you have and how big is the tank? This should be a small amount that takes the fish roughly 2 to 3 minutes to eat. Although they might seem interesting, poor handling, like squeezing the fishs body or touching the eyes or the gills, can cause stress. Bala sharks prefer fast-flowing waters, and swim in the midwater regions of their habitat.Otocinclus: Oto Catfish Care Guide Please enable JavaScriptOtocinclus: Oto Catfish Care Guide & Species ProfileAdult Size & LifespanBala sharks grow up to 14 inches long. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Bala sharks arent vulnerable to specific diseases, but there are several freshwater diseases that affect these fish when they are housed in poor tank conditions. Other than diseases, Bala Sharks can develop white spots across their bodies due to stress. The typical lifespan of a Bala shark is known to be 10 years. Some fish breeders recommend adding an antibiotic solution to the tank water. Fish with dropsy appear bloated and have protruding eyes, scales that stick out from the body, loss of appetite, lethargy, and rapid breathing. Your Bala's tank should be large and lengthy, as they are aggressive swimmers. He may get better or get worse and show signs of a disease we can diagnose. Hey guys! If you have other fish in the aquarium that may potentially pose a threat to them, they might exhibit behaviors such as twitching in an effort to keep those fish away. (7 Things You Should Know! The process of being bagged up, taken home, and added to an aquarium they arent used to is a lot of rapid change for a bala shark. Males are typically a bit larger in size. Can I get a Bala shark to go in with these. Make sure to remove any dead parasites and clean the tank to prevent re-infection. These include neon tetra, guppies, harlequin rasbora and other smaller fish types. 2020 - 2023 eFishkeeping. It also means that the care level is quite manageable. I have a 5ft tank with a mixture of gourami (honey pearl and blue dwarf). In this guide, we explore the ins and outs of Bala Shark care and everything you should know if youre thinking about adding them to your aquarium setup. After that, youll need to sprinkle aquarium salts and ich treatment into the water. Again, you should strive to replicate these conditions either with a good heater or by ensuring that your tanks surroundings are not too cold. Choosing a small tank for your bala shark can stress them as they grow bigger and compete for food. I just got a Bala shark wrongly labeled as a black fin shark in a tiny tank with a sucker fish. He was being chased by a red tail shark & another larger bala, lost weight (because of being bullied), eventually showed red in his fins, fins started to deteriorate after being nipped and after being quarantined still died. Raise the water temperature slightly and gradually before adding some salt. Fully-grown bala sharks should be housed in a tank of at least 150 gallons, at least 5 feet across. If your bala shark is unwell, it could also cause them to stress out which may activate their twitching tendencies. The typical cost of a bala shark is $7 to $10. This condition causes water buildup inside the fishs body cavities, which results in belly swelling. Bala sharks are native to the clean, freshwater rivers and lakes of Southeast Asia, including around the Malay Peninsula, in the Chao Phraya and Mekong basins, and in the waters surrounding Sumatra and Borneo. With a little bit of care and dedication, your bala sharks should thrive in your tank! This typically happens when you dont clean the tank and change the aquariums water frequently enough. You can also add other decorations like driftwood, rocks, and caves. These silver sharks are vulnerable to stress if you keep them in poor tank conditions for a long time. My bala sharks have white spots all over their fins and bodies. These fish are used to warm waters with a pebbly or muddy substrate.Set up your bala sharks tank to replicate the fishs habitat in the wild. Although their name indicates a similarity to sharks, considered to be aggressive predators, these peaceful freshwater sharks get their name due to the similar body shape and higher, triangular-shaped dorsal fin. The fish is called a bala shark because of its long, pointed dorsal fin, which resembles a sharks fin.Bala sharks have long, torpedo-shaped, silvery-gray bodies with silver or yellow fins edged with black. At first we thought it was sand or gravel . External parasites can be seen attached to the body or gills of the fish, and are introduced to the tank through new fish, live foods, or plants.Use veterinarian-approved medications or insecticides to kill parasites. Some stress-inducing conditions include: Suddenly changing the water temperature or pH Transfering your Bala shark to a new tank with different water conditions Adding aggressive fish species to the tank Overfishing for the aquarium trade and forest fires in 1975 are two possible causes for the decrease in the wild population of bala sharks.The natural habitat of the bala shark is warm and densely vegetated, with a muddy, pebbly substrate. It may be OK, or there may have been internal damage. Assuming that youve committed to raising bala sharks, you want to make sure that your tank is set up properly. Female bala sharks stop growing before the males, so male bala sharks are longer than females. These macroparasites can often be seen with the naked eye attached to the fishs skin or gills. A good, nutritious diet is important to every fish, and Bala sharks are no different. Twitching is an action seen in many bala sharks, so theres no reason to assume its a bad thing. Can they get along with other fish species? Treat with a formalin or malachite green-based medication. The bala shark is a peaceful fish that gets along well with other peaceful species in a community tank. Adding more will be better if theres enough space for all the fish to roam freely. The safe range for this is somewhere between 6.5 and 8 pH. It may just be one of those behaviors that they adopted that has no purpose. Provide a similarly varied diet in captivity with a combination of live and dried foods.Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-2','ezslot_14',136,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-leader-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-2','ezslot_15',136,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-leader-2-0_1');.leader-2-multi-136{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding-bottom:10px!important;padding-top:10px!important;text-align:center!important}High-quality dried food, like flakes and pellets, should make up the bulk of the bala sharks diet. If you have to make any adjustments to the water pH, ensure it stays within the recommended range of 6.5 to 8. My rainbow shark and bala shark are swimming at the top of the tank gasping. That said, its important to create the most peaceful environment possible for your bala shark so they dont want to jump out of it. 6. This article will list the signs of stress in bala sharks and what you can do about them. Excess lights may cause your Bala shark unnecessary stress and cause them to hide frequently. How much space should you allocate to these active fish? 354 354. Silver sharks do best when their water temperature is at 77F. Like most gentle fish, bala sharks tend to feel more at ease when they are kept in groups or schools. Ensure you maintain the right temperature, hardness, and pH within the best range for balas. Raise the water temperature to 82o F for three days. Is My Bala Shark Male or Female? Youll be rewarded with a healthy, happy aquarium filled with beautiful bala sharks! The male Bala shark tends to grow a little larger than females. Make sure that every new arrival has been properly quarantined for at least two weeks. Treat the fish tank with an OTC antiparasitic medication. Like all types of fish, bala sharks need proper care to thrive in their surroundings. Despite their delicate appearance, Bala sharks are capable of displaying signs of stress. Initiate spawning by gradually increasing the water temperature to 82F over the time span of a week. Remove the affected fish from the main tank. This is true especially if kept with smaller fish who cant hold their own. Rubber Bands In Aquariums? Obviously, the more fish you have, the more room they will need. However, they may still suffer from some health conditions. Bala sharks do not protect their young, so it is important to remove the parents from the tank. Even though bala sharks are typically docile fish, they do have a propensity to get startled easily. Bala Shark Tank Size and Specifications . Just be sure to provide enough space, feed them a good, nutritious diet, and take good care of their tanks! This means that the fish should be kept separated in another tank before they reach puberty. Some people find an automatic fish feeder useful in maintaining a consistent feeding schedule. This beautiful freshwater fish would make a wonderful addition to your freshwater aquarium if you have a bit of experience raising fish. To spur spawning, some fish breeders slowly increase the tank water temperature from 77 degrees up to 82 degrees. They do have a preference for water thats on the softer end of things, but will be happy with medium hardness as well. And one from these pair chase other two and when other fish comes near them it chase them too. An unclean environment is a frequent stressor of all fish, so proper testing of nutrients within the water as well as any potential build up is needed often. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. If you are concerned about them being stressed, check their water conditions to make sure the temperature is right and the quality is clean. It can be difficult to tell apart the sexes. To breed bala sharks, follow these steps: Bala sharks are unique-looking fish that provide plenty of entertainment in a home aquarium. This could lead to further digestive problems that can make the fish more vulnerable to the common fish diseases and ailments usually seen. So, lets dive in. Overfishing for the aquarium trade and forest fires in 1975, Otocinclus: Oto Catfish Care Guide & Species Profile, Iridescent Shark Care Guide & Species Profile, Red Tail Shark Care Guide & Species Profile, The Clown Loach Care Guide: A Playful Bottom Dweller For Community Tanks, The Complete Guide to Rosy Red Minnows Care, What Do Goldfish Eat? Because Bala Sharks can grow to a large size, it is essential to give them plenty of protein in their diet to keep them growing strong.
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