Always inquire whether a specific smaller fish is the ideal tank buddy before adding to the tank. The actual aquarium used when the spawning process happens needs to be at least 65 gallons, and the temperature should be kept at 77 degrees for the ideal breeding environment. [Top 8 Fish That Do! Sep 25, 2011. (3 Ways to Tell). Time will tell. Flukes is the term used to describe various types of external fish parasites. If you have just 1 bala shark, its not really surprising it gets stressed, and stress can lead to other ill health issues. 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. Think carefully before choosing tank mates for your bala sharks, as they might stress them and make them uncomfortable. This is when they are around 4 months old. Bala sharks have sensitive eyes that see better in tannin-rich waters. Come join the discussion about species,breeding, health, behavior, aquariums, adopting, care, classifieds, and more! I took it back and got 10 Red Minor Tetras instead, don't know much about them but I enjoy watching schools! Jeff has always enjoyed having pets, but as a child, he was drawn to his familys fish tank. Add substrate, live plants, and other tank decors. To breed bala sharks, follow these steps: Bala sharks are unique-looking fish that provide plenty of entertainment in a home aquarium. 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. Hello, and thanks for visiting Avid Aquarist! Female bala sharks stop growing before the males, so male bala sharks are longer than females. Since the fish stops eating, its growth is stunned and its immunity is compromised. Does anyon know who would take him for me and give him more room to enjoy? Sometimes, Bala Sharks may charge into the glass walls due to their active and fast swimming. 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. It is recommended that aquarium owners place hiding spots for Bala Sharks to rest in when tired of swimming. Ich or stress on my Bala . Bala Sharks tend to spawn in the morning, and this process can take several hours. As you can see, most Bala Shark diseases are caused by poor water quality, whether due to contamination or keeping the fish in unfavorable conditions. The bala shark isnt a real freshwater shark. Make sure that every new arrival has been properly quarantined for at least two weeks. As a shoaling fish, the bala shark feels most comfortable when housed with at least four other fish of its kind. I also have some platys. Can i put a bala shark in tank with male beta fish? This fish is well known for its congenial manner, and they tend to do well living with many other different fish species. A good, nutritious diet is important to every fish, and Bala sharks are no different. When buying a bala shark, make sure the fish has been bred in captivity, to protect the species wild populations.The typical cost of a bala shark is $7 to $10. 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. Bala sharks are pretty hardy and can live up to 10 years in captivity. These should be avoided or closely monitored to ensure that your Bala Shark is safe with their tankmates. 3. The last factor when it comes to tank conditions is the lighting. And one from these pair chase other two and when other fish comes near them it chase them too. Hi Ben, I personally wouldnt risk it. Watching fish swim about in an aquarium is truly fascinating, but its also a good idea to be mindful of changes in your fishs behavior. Despite their delicate appearance, Bala sharks are capable of displaying signs of stress. Overfishing for the aquarium trade and forest fires in 1975 are two possible causes for the decrease in the wild population of bala sharks. A well-formulated dry fish food. Keep the bottom of the tank clear or add a breeding net to catch the eggs. Its definitely possible, but its not known for sure. Luckily, with early action, dietary improvement, and proper treatment, you can help your fish live a full life! This is measured in dGH (degrees of general hardness) and the window youre aiming for is somewhere between 10 and 13. Thanks for any help. Observe your Bala sharks for signs of dancing, as this is an indication that they are ready to breed. I dosed the water and am planning on dosing again tomorrow. Filtration Bala sharks need a quality filter that can filter five times the water volume in the tank. However, a dark-colored pebbly substrate, around an inch thick, is closest to the substrate found in the fishs wild habitat. Remember the weight of the water will add up quickly, so make sure the surface is strong enough to support the weight. Remove activated carbon media from the tanks filter while adding treatment to the water, because activated carbon will adsorb the medication. Let the Bala Shark settle in and then add the Gouramis. Some great tank mates for Bala Sharks are: However, there is the chance that the Bala Shark will eat smaller fish when they become larger, so the tank should always be roomy enough for all. Byron. These tend to be very active, and they make great home aquarium fish as they are interesting to watch. Tankarium is reader-supported. And it will eat smaller fish. We earn commissions when you buy through our links. These omnivores enjoy a wide variety of flake foods and live protein, and will be happy with pretty much anything you can find in your local fish stores! Ive also kept tetras without issue, however most tetras need to shoal, so make sure your tank has enough room for a large group of tetras plus growing Bala Sharks. 1. After the female has laid eggs along the bottom of the tank, the male will fertilize the eggs with milt. 40 gallon with 13 hermit crabs- 11 PPs, 1 E, 1 Straw. All of these levels can be easily monitored with a thermometer and a basic water testing kit. All these parasites come with new additions to the tank, whether its water, food, new fish, etc. These peaceful shoaling fish are less aggressive and territorial than actual freshwater sharks..toc_container ol li a{}.toc_container ol li{font-size:16px;margin:0;padding:0;line-height:32px}.toc_container ol{}.toc_container{margin-bottom:1.75em;padding:.75em;background-color:#f8f9fc}.toc_container h4{margin:15px}.oftoc2col ol{-webkit-column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;column-count:2;-moz-column-fill:balance;column-fill:balance}.toc_container ol li a{color:#008bac}.toc_container ol li a:hover{text-decoration:none}.toc_container ol li{font-size:16px;margin:0;padding:0;line-height:30px}.toc_container{margin-top:1.25em;margin-bottom:2em;padding:1em;border:2px solid #f1f7f8;background-color:#fff;margin-left:0;margin-right:1%}.toc_container h4{margin-bottom:12px}TABLE OF CONTENTSBala Shark Facts & OverviewAppearance & BehaviorBala Shark Care & Tank RequirementsTank MatesDiet and FeedingBreedingShould You Get a Bala Shark for Your Aquarium?Bala Shark Facts & OverviewScientific name:Balantiocheilos melanopterusCommon namesBala shark, silver shark, tricolor shark, tricolor sharkminnowDistribution:Southeast AsiaSize:Up to 14 inchesLife expectancy:Up to 10 yearsColor:Silver with gray or yellow and black finsDiet:OmnivoreTemperament:PeacefulMinimum tank size:120 gallonsTemperature:7282F (2228C)pH:6.08.0Hardness:512 dGHCare level:EasyBreeding:Egg-layerOriginBala 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.Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',133,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-medrectangle-3-0');Bala sharks are an endangered species that are rarely found in the wild. However, this is not absolutely necessary, and many fish owners simply leave the bottom floor area clear for better viewing. So far they are doing great with our 2 gouramis, 2 glo sharks, 4 guppies. The most popular viral infection in Bala Sharks is Lymphocystis. Set up a heater. He may get better or get worse and show signs of a disease we can diagnose. Of course, there are also fish species you should steer clear of. In reality, they belong to a family of fishes known as carps and minnows. Bala Shark Tank Size and Specifications . It is generally a good idea to purchase five or six Bala sharks from the pet store and to observe them for signs of mating behavior. So without further ado, lets dive in! Thanks, Robert, Hi, thank you for som great reading, but im wondering if i could keep an elephant nose fish, a black ghost knife fish and a bala shark together in a 530 liters tank?its not setup yet, im just researcing some cool fish and since black ghost is my favorit fish i will be getting one of those:)i have a 120 liters tank running now with some guppies, kribensis chiklids, flying fox and some snails and shripms, im well aware they wont last long with a bala shark heheim no expert but i have kept severel kinds of fish over time , Hi Merete, they would probably be OK for the first year or so, but will need a large tank as they grow. 2. Bala Sharks can be somewhat vulnerable if their tank water becomes dirty or when the tank water level lowers. Keep the bottom of the tank clear or add a breeding net to catch the eggs. Add one teaspoon of salt per one gallon of water in the tank.Tank MatesBala sharks are peaceful fish that can be housed with other medium-to-large, peaceful fish. Yet, its not the only disease caused by bacteria. (8 Reasons +Top 4 Solutions!). If this is seen, the fish often has a parasitic or bacterial infection and should be treated. (50 gallon tank). In this article, well look at everything there is to know about bala sharks. In terms of pH and water hardness, Bala sharks are pretty adaptable. 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. Excess lights may cause your Bala shark unnecessary stress and cause them to hide frequently. 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. We may earn a small commission through products purchased using links on this page. After the eggs have been fertilized, the parents leave the eggs alone. And of course, aggressive fish are absolute no-gos. In the pet store, Bala sharks are sold when they are very young and only measure one or two inches. Youll be rewarded with a healthy, happy aquarium filled with beautiful bala sharks! Fortunately for aquarists, Bala Sharks are very low maintenance in this regard. 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. There are plenty of methods to cure fungal infections in fish, but the procedure is usually similar to curing bacterial infections. The longer the tank, the more space this middle-dwelling fish has to explore. [Top 5 Causes And Solutions]. Replace the filter with an internal sponge filter that wont suck up the fry.Perform a 50% water change and add antibacterial solutions to the water. It may be OK, or there may have been internal damage. The bala shark ( Balantiocheilos melanopterus) also known as the tricolor shark, tricolor sharkminnow, silver shark, or shark minnow, is a fish of the family Cyprinidae, and is one of the two species in the genus Balantiocheilos. You can easily find them in pet stores. Theyre not totally wrong since living in a confined space gives you more control over the fishs habitat to keep them healthy and happy. Theres no simple answer, but there are a lot of assumptions made about this behavioral tendency. Dropsy is a common disease that many fish species may suffer from, including Bala Sharks. All-in-all, the Bala Shark makes an excellent addition to almost any freshwater tank. Isolate the dancing pair and place them in a 60-gallon breeding tank. Sores and ulcers on the body and head, ragged, bloody fins. If they hit the decorations or the wall too hard, they may get stunned for a few minutes. 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. The Bala Shark, scientific name Balantiocheilos Melanopterus, isn't really an actual shark but was named as such because of its appearance, which features silver coloring and tall dorsal fins. Finally, Bala sharks need a nutritious source of plant matter. When alone, they are more likely to act a bit more aggressive. 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. Bala sharks can be purchased online easily, but the fish are difficult to find in small, local fish stores. Top 5 Reasons You Must Know! 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. But if you like watching bala sharks, you might notice a few things that show that your fish arent OK. Bala sharks also arent the only types of fish that twitch. Home Aquatic Problems & Solutions Clear Signs of Stress in Bala Sharks. 2023 Tankarium, a Found First Marketing company. 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. If this is seen, the fish often has a parasitic or bacterial infection and should be treated. I just got a Bala shark wrongly labeled as a black fin shark in a tiny tank with a sucker fish. Monitoring this helps to ensure that they are getting the right food portions. Add one teaspoon of salt per one gallon of water in the tank. We hope this care guide gave you some insight on how to care for bala sharks! Females often have a slightly rounded belly area and body type. The male Bala shark tends to grow a little larger than females. However, it can be as low as 6.0 and up to 8.0. In that case, its usually accompanied by other erratic behaviors like excessive twitching, rolling, pitching, etc. She loves how it provides a nice break from the hustle and bustle of life. On Avid Aquarist, Jeff shares everything hes learned about helping aquatic life survive and thrive in a home aquarium. Some fish breeders recommend adding an antibiotic solution to the tank water. Yet, you must be aware of signs that show that your fish arent OK, so you can make some necessary changes. Unless you live in a tropical climate, you will need an aquarium heater to maintain these temperatures. In Bala Sharks, cloudy eyes are not a disease but rather a symptom of many conditions and diseases. Ideally, youd to it the other way around. 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. Stress weakens the fishs immune system, so you might see white spots appearing on their bodies. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. This infection is usually well-defined and appears in the fishs head, body, or fins, so you can confuse it with ich. from getting diseases is to keep the water as clean as possible and provide an environment where they do not experience stress, anxiety, or distress. Providing live plants in the tank helps keep the water cleaner. Hi I have a Bala shark thats around 12 inches I started of with 4 but I gave away 2 of them after about 3 months as they were getting picked on and eventually another so Im only left with the one but a friend has asked if I can re home his mollies in my tank Im not sure with the Bala and a fully grown pleco any advice please? You can read more in our profile, click on the shaded name Bala Shark. Despite what their namesake might make you think, bala sharks are not combative with other fish. The new Bala Sharks can grow at different speeds. She has been helping her father with his freshwater tanks since she was a toddler, and has fallen in love with the hobby ever since. He is about 4 to 5 inches. Features like automatic shut-offs can also be helpful. 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. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. 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. 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. I'm not exactly sure what this could be but I'd tag it as a neurological sign. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Bala sharks grow up to 14 inches long. Im currently looking for a MUCH bigger tank cause I dont like how small the one it came in is, Im very open to more tips as I want to make sure this guy gets the best. Dont add non-fish species like shrimps and crabs to a bala shark tank, because they are known to eat crustaceans. JavaScript is disabled. Avoid small fish. Providing your fish with extra care and keeping . As previously established, dropsy may be caused by bacterial infections. 2020 - 2023 eFishkeeping. Many people believe that getting pet fish is an excellent decision for a novice pet owner. Well, youll need to invest in a larger tank to accommodate your fish when they reach their full size. Bala sharks should be fed up to three times per day. Algae wafers are a great way to add plant matter to their diet, but some Bala sharks may also enjoy fresh vegetables like blanched peas or spinach. Making this a habit will help you provide better care for your Bala Sharks, and prevent you from having to deal with unwanted surprises. forum community dedicated to tropical fish owners and enthusiasts. Use an OTC White Spot Disease medication to treat the tank. This includes low pH caused by the high concentration of ammonia in the water. Fish Swimming In Circles? By the time youre finished reading, youll know a ton about them and be able to decide if theyre a good fit for you. Fish with dropsy appear bloated and have protruding eyes, scales that stick out from the body, loss of appetite, lethargy, and rapid breathing.Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_12',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_13',116,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0_1');.large-mobile-banner-2-multi-116{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 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 diseaseExternal parasitesBala sharks can be affected by several external parasites, including anchor worms, fish lice, and flukes. Besides infections, Bala Sharks are highly prone to stress when you keep them in unfavorable conditions for a long time. These gentle giants lend a certain peacefulness to any freshwater aquarium, and we are certain you will enjoy their presence.
