Though I'm not positive, maybe someone will have a better diagnosis. On Avid Aquarist, Jeff shares everything hes learned about helping aquatic life survive and thrive in a home aquarium. Being able to consistently keep the pH right in the middle of this range (somewhere just above 7) will give you a safe window of flux in the event that any out of the ordinary water changes happen in your tank. Generally speaking, this particular behavior has been observed to last anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes at a time. If their twitching is indicative of stress, be sure that your aquarium is an adequate size for your fish. Is My Bala Shark Male or Female? Bala Shark Care: Care Guide, Breeding, Tank Size and Disease If you want to get in touch we encourage you to do so via our contact page. Bala sharks can be purchased online easily, but the fish are difficult to find in small, local fish stores. Decades of movie-watching have created a misconception that all sharks are aggressive fish that will nip your fingers off if you put them in your tank. JavaScript is disabled. Use veterinarian-approved medications or insecticides to kill parasites. Bala Sharks are a rewarding and unique fish to keep in your aquarium. Place a group of five bala sharks in a separate 65-gallon breeding tank with a temperature of 77F and a strong filter. Common Bala Shark Diseases to Watch For - Avid Aquarist And will they nip your fingers off? Bala Sharks may show signs of stress in various situations, such as: Any of these aspects can increase the risk of the previously mentioned diseases, which is why you should maintain a proper environment for your fish in the tank at all times. Hi, I keep Guppies with my Bala Sharks. 5. We hope that after reading this post youll have a better understanding of the fish in general, and the kind of care that youll need to provide. Like most gentle fish, bala sharks tend to feel more at ease when they are kept in groups or schools. Sexing the fish is difficult, and attempting breeding with a large group of fish increases the likelihood that there are males and females in the group. 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. Dont house them with aggressive or carnivorous fish like neon tetras.Dont add non-fish species like shrimps and crabs to a bala shark tank, because they are known to eat crustaceans.Great tank mates for bala sharks include:Other bala sharks bala sharks are shoaling fish that should be housed in groups of at least fiveGouramisCorydorasRasborasRainbowfishDiet and FeedingIn the wild, the bala sharks diet consists of insects, small crustaceans, plant matter, algae, and larvae. Treat with a formalin or malachite green-based medication. I see nothing in the video that would cause me to do anything but leave it alone to recover, and hopefully it will. Raise the water temperature slightly and gradually before adding some salt. It is important to have good water flow during spawning so that the male fertilizing agent gets spread out farther. Lets get one thing straight Bala sharks are big fish. . 4. 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. 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. Interested males and females will spawn early in the morning, lasting for a couple of hours. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Remember to remove the carbon filter during treatment because itll absorb the medication, rendering it useless. However, a dark-colored pebbly substrate, around an inch thick, is closest to the substrate found in the fishs wild habitat.Theres also no need to fill bala sharks tanks with rocks or plants. Ich is a very common disease thats caused by an aquatic protozoan parasite. If your bala shark is constantly twitching, and it seems to be nonstop, be sure to check for other signs that something might not be right with them. However, these fish tend to get along well with many types of freshwater aquarium fish. (7 Things You Should Know! Luckily, Lymphocystis isnt a fatal disease. Hey guys! Even though bala sharks are typically docile fish, they do have a propensity to get startled easily. In addition to their dry food, Bala sharks need live protein. Bala Sharks: Complete Care Guide To Freshwater Sharks - Tankarium If you have to make any adjustments to the water pH, ensure it stays within the recommended range of 6.5 to 8. At the store the employee was having trouble finding a bag that didn't have a hole in it, so he had to move the fish from one bag to another three times, I know this can be stressful for it. Bala sharks can grow to be about 12 inches long or even more. Hi! Just be sure to choose items that are safe for aquarium use, as some may contain toxic chemicals that can harm your fish. Theres also no need to fill bala sharks tanks with rocks or plants. Bala Shark Fins Fraying, Gray Scales | Freshwater Fish Disease and Hi William, I wouldnt advise adding Bala Sharks to an existing tank. ), Bala Shark Has White Spots? 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. What is the most important component of a healthy diet? Choosing a small tank for your bala shark can stress them as they grow bigger and compete for food. And there you have it! Fully-grown bala sharks should be housed in a tank of at least 150 gallons, at least 5 feet across. The natural habitat of the bala shark is warm and densely vegetated, with a muddy, pebbly substrate. Theyll be perfectly content with a pH between 6.0 and 8.0 that essentially means you can do anything from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. Follow the steps below: Test the water to ensure the conditions are ideal and that there's enough open space for the shark to swim around freely. I just brought home a 5" Bala Shark from Petsmart. 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. 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. Here are some signs that your bala sharks might be stressed. They can jump quite high, and are known to escape aquariums by doing so. Make sure to opt for a heater thats rated for the size of your bala fish tank 150 gallons, per our minimum tank size recommendation. How to Keep a Bala Shark: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow Some fish experts like to provide a more diversified diet for their Bala Sharks to mimic their natural environment food sources as closely as possible. If your bala shark is new to your aquarium, theyll need time to adapt to their new environment. Of course, there are also fish species you should steer clear of. Within 24 hours, larvae should appear.The fry should hatch within three days. Bala Sharks are very active fish species that enjoy darting around the fish tank at high speed. However, Bala Sharks are a peaceful species that is extremely popular in the aquarium trade due partly to their unique appearance and calm demeanor. The following reasons may be the answer to why your stressed Bala shark is losing color: . Great tank mates for bala sharks include: In the wild, the bala sharks diet consists of insects, small crustaceans, plant matter, algae, and larvae. She loves how it provides a nice break from the hustle and bustle of life. A well-formulated dry fish food. I am not to worried about it. The typical cost of a bala shark is $7 to $10. One important thing to be aware of in terms of a bala sharks nervous behavior is they are jumpers. The most popular signs of stress are lack of activity and lost appetite. When kept in an aquarium, they tend to eat just about any type of fish food including both live options and dried flake food selections. Caring for bala sharks is easy as long as you provide stable water conditions and enough space for these active swimmers to explore. My rainbow shark and bala shark are swimming at the top of the tank gasping. Bala Sharks: A Guide to Care, Breeding, Diet & Behavior Robert, Would a Bala Shark be okay with platies and tetras in the same tank? The bala shark is a peaceful fish that gets along well with other peaceful species in a community tank. If you're concerned about your fish's health, it's important to take them to a qualified vet or fish store for diagnosis and treatment. Install the filter, heater, pump, and airstone. And it will eat smaller fish. High-quality dried food, like flakes and pellets, should make up the bulk of the bala sharks diet. Although not considered an aggressive fish species, Bala Sharks can eat smaller fish, especially those that are smooth and sleek, as they get bigger. Bala sharks can be purchased online easily, but the fish are difficult to find in small, local fish stores. The fry can be fed with ciliates at first. The fishs ventral fins are small and colored black or gray. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Resources Freshwater Fish Bala SharkBala Shark (Silver Shark) Size, Tank, Food, Lifespan & MoreFebruary 24, 2022 RobertThe bala shark is a freshwater species of the Cyprinidae family. So without further ado, lets dive in! An appropriate temperature range is 72 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (22.2 to 26.7 degrees Celsius). 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. Adding some plankton, bloodworms or appropriate vegetable matter can increase their overall health. The male will then fertilize the eggs by releasing his milt over the eggs. You should prioritize functionality and practicality in your decor choices. There is also a possibility that twitching can be a signifier that your bala shark is stressed. Female bala sharks have rounder bellies than males. All these parasites come with new additions to the tank, whether its water, food, new fish, etc. Top 5 Reasons You Must Know! Some may use hardwood and baking soda to adjust the pH naturally, but pH kits are easier and safer. 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. That said, its important to create the most peaceful environment possible for your bala shark so they dont want to jump out of it. Do your research before making any purchases! If you notice they are rubbing against other fish or against something in the tank, it could be indicative of an illness or infection. Bala sharks become sexually mature at around six months old, or when the fish have grown to four inches long.Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-3','ezslot_16',119,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-leader-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-3','ezslot_17',119,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-leader-3-0_1');.leader-3-multi-119{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}To breed bala sharks, follow these steps:Place a group of five bala sharks in a separate 65-gallon breeding tank with a temperature of 77F and a strong filter. Bala Shark Tank Size and Specifications . This can happen due to medical conditions, such as neurological infections that attack their central nervous systems. In the case of Ich, there are several kinds of . The most popular viral infection in Bala Sharks is Lymphocystis. Ensure that the filter is on and operating. And two upside down swimming cat fish? Theyre such active fish that theres a good chance they will jump from time to time. It makes it easier to feed your bala sharks moderately sized meals at regular intervals throughout the day, instead of all at once, which can lead to overfeeding. Fortunately for aquarists, Bala Sharks are very low maintenance in this regard. Bala sharks grow quickly, and replacing several smaller tanks is extremely tedious. The most popular signs of stress are lack of activity and lost appetite. Bala Sharks, Bala Shark, Silver Shark, Tri-Color Minnow, Sharkminnow (Balantiocheilus melanopterus), Gets along with similarly sized community fish. Bala sharks are pretty hardy and can live up to 10 years in captivity. Open to fish, plants and reptiles living in freshwater or saltwater environments. You can buy them from the following reputable online stores:LiveAquariaImperial TropicalsAppearance & BehaviorBala sharks have long, silver bodies with bold, pointed fins. ], Top 10 Blood Parrot Cichlid Tank Mates (With Pictures! This beautiful freshwater fish would make a wonderful addition to your freshwater aquarium if you have a bit of experience raising fish. Bala sharks are an endangered species that are rarely found in the wild. Dropsy is a common disease that many fish species may suffer from, including Bala Sharks. All fish are stressed by being netted and moved to a new environment, and many take time to regain their normal behaviours. Observe your Bala sharks for signs of dancing, as this is an indication that they are ready to breed. Just be sure you give them the best home possible so that, if their twitching is a sign of stress, it stops and they get back to living a swimmingly fulfilling life. 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? Well, a good rule of thumb is to opt for something with a flow rate thats 6 times the size of your tank. Choosing the right tank that provides them with enough space and maintaining a healthy and suitable environment will protect your bala sharks from stress and keep them in good health. Aggressive and non-compatible tank mates can make bala sharks stressed. All rights reserved. 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. Bala Shark Twitching? | Tropical Fish Keeping With a little bit of care and dedication, your bala sharks should thrive in your tank! Female bala sharks stop growing before the males, so male bala sharks are longer than females. They are peaceful fish with laid-back personalities.Colors, Patterns, Fins, and Sex DifferencesThe bala shark isnt a real freshwater shark. 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. Hello, and thanks for visiting Avid Aquarist! Pay attention to any changes in the balas environment, like a changed diet. Like all types of fish, bala sharks need proper care to thrive in their surroundings. A good, nutritious diet is important to every fish, and Bala sharks are no different. 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 These macroparasites can often be seen with the naked eye attached to the fishs skin or gills. WILDER Retired Moderator Retired Moderator Joined The dominant shark will constantly pick on the weakest, causing stress and leading to susceptability to infections and disease (as mentioned above). Bad water quality symtoms are darting, loss of scales, looking pale, gasping, laboured breathing, flicking and rubbing, red gills, purple gills, turning upside down, sores, red streaking. These twitches, being somewhat mysterious, could be an indicator of normal behavior or potential stressors that you need to watch out for. A good filter is vital in maintaining ideal tank conditions for your bala sharks. This can come in the form of frozen fish, brine shrimp, insect larvae, and worms. Sores and ulcers on the body and head, ragged, bloody fins. Despite their size, theyre a peaceful fish that gets along very well with other species. The average lifespan of a bala shark is between eight and ten years. In that case, its usually accompanied by other erratic behaviors like excessive twitching, rolling, pitching, etc. 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. 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. Good examples include clown loaches, boesemani rainbowfish, and angelfish. As diurnal fish, they are more active in the day than the night.Bala sharks are timid and easily scared, and spend a lot of time hiding in caves and behind plants.Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',155,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',155,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-large-leaderboard-2-0_1');.large-leaderboard-2-multi-155{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}Bala Shark Care & Tank RequirementsCaring for bala sharks is easy as long as you provide stable water conditions and enough space for these active swimmers to explore. Bala sharks have gray or silver bodies with long, pointed yellow or gray fins edged with black.Bala sharks are popular with aquarists due to their shark-like body shapes and striking fin patterns. Some food types can make the balas sick and stressed. If this is seen, the fish often has a parasitic or bacterial infection and should be treated. I feel bad for him because he needs more room to swim. By mindyt5, 2 years ago on Tropical Fish. As weve previously mentioned, getting a filter that generates a pretty strong water flow is important, as these fish need a lot of water movement to be healthy. Check that the heater, pump, and filter are all working properly. It might become necessary to move some to other tanks to ensure enough room for growth and movement. These white spots irritate the fish skin, so itll swim erratically and rub itself against objects and tank walls. Smart Bala Shark care should include monitoring them for signs of common fish ailments like dropsy that causes them to swell, and ich which results in white spots on their scales. As a shoaling fish, the bala shark feels most comfortable when housed with at least four other fish of its kind.Bala sharks are fast, active swimmers that dart around the middle of the tank. Within 24 hours, larvae should appear. 4. Bala Shark Habitat and Tank Conditions Tank size. Shy and slow-moving fish can be good companions for them. These affable fish travel in schools when in the wild, and fish owners should purchase several of these Bala Sharks at a time as they like company. We may earn a small commission through products purchased using links on this page. However, a few plants, like anubias, can make them feel more at home in captivity and provide a hiding place for tired or nervous fish. They might start hitting themselves against the tanks walls or swim frantically. Sexing the fish is difficult, and attempting breeding with a large group of fish increases the likelihood that there are males and females in the group.Initiate spawning by gradually increasing the water temperature to 82F over the time span of a week. The most common Bala Shark external parasites are anchor worms, fish lice, and flukes. Twitching may help bala sharks move faster through the water. Signs of stress are often seen in bala sharks when theyre not kept in the right conditions. These are rather effective snail-eating fish! After this happens, it is usually recommended that the tanks air/water filtration system be switched to a single sponge type filter that is placed internally to keep the small fry from being sucked in. This one causes white spots to appear on the Bala Sharks skin. Hi I have a Bala shark and i was thinking of adding a couple of tetras and platies in in the same tank and wondering if they would get along? Home Aquatic Problems & Solutions Common Bala Shark Diseases to Watch For. You should avoid filling the tank with big or aggressive fish that might startle your bala sharks. All you need to provide them with sufficient lighting is a basic freshwater lamp that shouldnt cost you much money at all. Perform a water change and treat with an antibiotic or antibacterial medication. A good tank thermometer is a must, as it will help you monitor the water temperature. However, they may still suffer from some health conditions. If your bala shark is unwell, it could also cause them to stress out which may activate their twitching tendencies. Youd need a bigger heater, filter, and pump, all of which require energy to run. Set up a heater. After several rounds of dancing, the female fish scatters her eggs around the floor of the tank. He is about 4 to 5 inches. 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. Fungal infections are caused by spores that target the scales and skin of a fish. There are plenty of methods to cure fungal infections in fish, but the procedure is usually similar to curing bacterial infections. Treat the fish tank with an OTC antiparasitic medication. Just both 4 of them two days back. eFishkeeping.com 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. Raise the water temperature to 82o F for three days. These tend to be just 3 to 4 inches when first bought, and fish owners are often surprised to learn that the adult size can be up to 1 foot or 13 inches. Ich is one of the most common skin diseases amongst captive freshwater fish. Replace the filter with an internal sponge filter that wont suck up the fry. Frankly speaking, Bala sharks are a joy to feed. 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. It is crucial to have a good water filtration system, and fish owners should try to leave these fish undisturbed during this time frame. Why Are My Bala Sharks Dying? {How You Can Help Save Them} Bala sharks become sexually mature at around six months old, or when the fish have grown to four inches long. In general, you should opt for tropical fish species that grow to at least 4 inches in length. To treat dropsy, add teaspoon of Epsom salt to every five gallons of water in the tank, and speak to your veterinarian about antibacterial medication for the disease.
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