Fish Swimming In Circles? This article will list the signs of stress in bala sharks and what you can do about them. Bala sharks also arent the only types of fish that twitch. Other than diseases, Bala Sharks can develop white spots across their bodies due to stress. There are plenty of methods to cure fungal infections in fish, but the procedure is usually similar to curing bacterial infections. Hi William, I wouldnt advise adding Bala Sharks to an existing tank. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The bala sharks natural habitat is lakes and fast-flowing rivers and streams in Southeast Asia. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. In the case of Ich, there are several kinds of . The average lifespan of a bala shark is between eight and ten years. And one from these pair chase other two and when other fish comes near them it chase them too. 8 Causes of White Spots on Your Bala Shark - Avid Aquarist 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. 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. Millie is a passionate aquarist who caught the fishkeeping bug in high school and has been addicted ever since. And will they nip your fingers off? Make sure the decorations are securely placed and wont topple over if your bala shark bumps into them. It's best to use a 150-gallon tank with a length of at least 5 feet. 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. Check that the heater, pump, and filter are all working properly. Replace the filter with an internal sponge filter that wont suck up the fry. T the biffster Moved On Joined May 10, 2010 Messages 2,835 This information should be more than enough to give you an idea of if this is the right fish for you. In captivity, a healthy Bala Shark can live for anywhere between 8 to 10 years. 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. The most common issue that causes cloudy eyes is poor water conditions. Dont add non-fish species like shrimps and crabs to a bala shark tank, because they are known to eat crustaceans. Assuming that youve committed to raising bala sharks, you want to make sure that your tank is set up properly. Bala sharks are timid and easily scared, and spend a lot of time hiding in caves and behind plants. They can jump quite high, and are known to escape aquariums by doing so. Install the filter, heater, pump, and airstone. 5. The longer the tank, the more space this middle-dwelling fish has to explore.Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-1','ezslot_8',156,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-leader-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-1','ezslot_9',156,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-leader-1-0_1');.leader-1-multi-156{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 sharks dont swim along the bottom of the tank or dig in the substrate, so theres no need to use a specific type of substrate. Aggressive and non-compatible tank mates can make bala sharks stressed. #1 I have two Bala sharks. There is no definitive reason why bala sharks twitch, but given what is known about their typical temperament and behavior, its fairly easy to assume a few reasons why they do this. Attempting to definitively answer the question, why do bala sharks twitch, is difficult. All-in-all, the Bala Shark makes an excellent addition to almost any freshwater tank. Can I get a Bala shark to go in with these. Bala sharks grow quickly, and replacing several smaller tanks is extremely tedious. Copyright 2022 - Fishkeeping World - All Rights Reserved, Robert Woods is the creator of FishKeeping World, a third-generation fish keeper, and a graduate in animal welfare and behavior. (8 Reasons +Top 4 Solutions!). 5. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Despite needing a larger tank than most aquarium fish, bala sharks are peaceful and beautiful to look at, making them a fantastic choice for people who have enough tank space to house the species. The bala sharks small, closely-packed scales are iridescent, meaning that they reflect light as the fish moves, creating a shimmering appearance. Like all types of fish, bala sharks need proper care to thrive in their surroundings. Do Bala Sharks Twitch As A Defense Mechanism? It is also difficult to distinguish between males and females, as the differences can be quite subtle. Home Aquatic Problems & Solutions Clear Signs of Stress in Bala Sharks. You should get a bala shark if you have plenty of space for at least five of these active shoaling fish. Home Aquatic Problems & Solutions Common Bala Shark Diseases to Watch For. Though I'm not positive, maybe someone will have a better diagnosis. Thanks for any help. Jeff has always enjoyed having pets, but as a child, he was drawn to his familys fish tank. Fish also suffer from a change in behavior due to dropsy, including a noticeable lack of appetite and reduced activity. Bala Sharks can be somewhat vulnerable if their tank water becomes dirty or when the tank water level lowers. Dont house them with aggressive or carnivorous fish like neon tetras. So, before you get a bala shark, please take these factors into consideration otherwise, you may be in for a nasty awakening. To breed your Bala Sharks, it is recommended that you determine the sex of the fish if possible. Think carefully before choosing tank mates for your bala sharks, as they might stress them and make them uncomfortable. For instance, include a few plants to help keep the water clean, such as live plants like Java ferns, Anubias, or Vallisneria. 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. (7 Things You Should Know! We have a 15 gallon with 2 BalasOne is s little more playful that the other. Should You Get a Bala Shark for Your Aquarium? To treat ich, you must isolate the infected fish in a separate tank. When Bala Fish suffer from dropsy, you must quarantine the sick fish in separate tanks and bathe them in Epsom salt to reduce the swelling. It might become necessary to move some to other tanks to ensure enough room for growth and movement. Finally, if you want to add a bit of color and texture to your aquarium, consider adding plastic plants, artificial rocks, and other decorations. As a result, they may lose a few scales if the tank is too small for them or overcrowded with rough decorations. Come join the discussion about species,breeding, health, behavior, aquariums, adopting, care, classifieds, and more! White fluffy growths on the fishs body, mouth, and head. Since these fish are rare in their natural abodes, most of these fish are bought from fish farms. Fish that are getting sick from water might exhibit behavior similar to twitching. In general, you should opt for tropical fish species that grow to at least 4 inches in length. Within 24 hours, larvae should appear.The fry should hatch within three days. He is about 4 to 5 inches. Bala Shark Tank Size and Specifications . Sep 25, 2011. Yet, you should still take it seriously and isolate the fish until it regains its full health completely. Dropsy is a common disease that many fish species may suffer from, including Bala Sharks. To play it safe we always recommend a minimum tank size thats on the larger end of this spectrum as a starting point. Isolate the dancing pair and place them in a 60-gallon breeding tank. Hi, I keep Guppies with my Bala Sharks. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Adding more will be better if theres enough space for all the fish to roam freely. 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. After all, these fish will be kept in 150-gallon tanks. Bala sharks hail from the fast-flowing rivers of Southeast Asia. Providing your fish with extra care and keeping . In the pet store, Bala sharks are sold when they are very young and only measure one or two inches. House bala sharks in a freshwater tank and feed them an omnivorous diet. Sometimes, Bala Sharks may charge into the glass walls due to their active and fast swimming. I'm Praveen Ghoshal, the founder of eFishkeeping.com. Ich or stress on my Bala. Bala sharks have sensitive eyes that see better in tannin-rich waters. Hey guys! [Top 5 Causes And Solutions]. Otherwise, these fish share no other traits or behaviors with sharks found in saltwater oceans. I have a stressed bala shark, 6 or 7 years old.Seems to have been getting picked on by a little polka dot loach and now is displaying signs of stress: fins fraying, patches of scales turning a light gray and slightly raised. After the spawning and fertilization takes place, it is necessary to then remove the parent fish from the tank. 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. Besides infections, Bala Sharks are highly prone to stress when you keep them in unfavorable conditions for a long time. Take some time to think about it, and always default to doing whats best for the fish. Bala Shark: Ultimate Guide (Care, Diet, Breeding & More) - Fun Fish Tank Thanks, Robert, I have 3 Bala in my tank together with 5 moderate size Angelfish, and 3 Gourami. . Also, the Bala Shark itself can become prone to stress if there are . The longer the tank, the more space this middle-dwelling fish has to explore. The most popular viral infection in Bala Sharks is Lymphocystis. The two often come hand-in-hand, as the increased water flow helps to circulate oxygen throughout the aquarium. 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. Why Do Bala Sharks Twitch? Is This Normal? Aquatic Byte Despite what their namesake might make you think, bala sharks are not combative with other fish. 354 354. Silver sharks do best when their water temperature is at 77F. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Sick Bala Sharks | Tropical Fish Forums Clown Loaches are one of the most popular freshwater fish in the aquarium scene. Tankarium is reader-supported. 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.. 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 tank itself will cost a pretty penny, but the upkeep will outweigh this upfront investment by miles. Manage Settings Did you find this care guide helpful? 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.