In their natural habitat, Bala Sharks usually live about 5 to 6 years due to harsh conditions. Unless there are other signs that your bala shark may be sick, theres no reason to worry at the first sign of twitching. 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. Fortunately for aquarists, Bala Sharks are very low maintenance in this regard. And there you have it! Assuming that youve committed to raising bala sharks, you want to make sure that your tank is set up properly. In reality, they belong to a family of fishes known as carps and minnows. Bala sharks should be fed two to three times a day, and with moderate portions. Ich is one of the most common skin diseases amongst captive freshwater fish. Many people assume that the Bala Shark is best left to experienced fishkeepers. 3. 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. This is measured in dGH (degrees of general hardness) and the window youre aiming for is somewhere between 10 and 13. It is crucial to have a good water filtration system, and fish owners should try to leave these fish undisturbed during this time frame. I enjoyed the information about our daughters new pets. By mindyt5, 2 years ago on Tropical Fish. Manage Settings Bala sharks prefer fast-flowing waters, and swim in the midwater regions of their habitat. Bala sharks should be fed up to three times per day. One more comment/question would a Bala shark be okay living with an Oscar fish? Availability. [7] 5. Other than diseases, Bala Sharks can develop white spots across their bodies due to stress. Use a thermometer to measure temperature stability and test kits to check water parameters. To spur spawning, some fish breeders slowly increase the tank water temperature from 77 degrees up to 82 degrees. Attempting to definitively answer the question, why do bala sharks twitch, is difficult. These, Why Your Betta Fish Is Laying At The Bottom Of The Tank, Why Is My Goldfish Turning White? But I'm betting since this doesn't look like flashing that he's done some brain damage or something. Treat the fish tank with an OTC antiparasitic medication. If you want to keep Gouramis with a Bala Shark, choose larger species too. Bala sharks can grow to be about 12 inches long. Replace the filter with an internal sponge filter that wont suck up the fry. Therefore, these active swimmers are most at home in freshwater tanks that replicate these water conditions. Its body is lighter gray at the top than at the bottom. Does anyon know who would take him for me and give him more room to enjoy? Although they might seem interesting, poor handling, like squeezing the fishs body or touching the eyes or the gills, can cause stress. Aquatic plants can also be added to the tank for additional oxygenation. The following reasons may be the answer to why your stressed Bala shark is losing color: . white spots to appear on the Bala Sharks skin, Introducing contaminated food, fish, or water. Disclaimer: The content on this website is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. To avoid overfeeding, feed the fish an amount it can eat within about two minutes. Of course, you can always opt to use a smaller tank at first, then size up as your bala shark gets larger. Oh yeah the only other fish I have in there are 4 tiger barbs, a small piece, and algae eater. Let the Bala Shark settle in and then add the Gouramis. Learn how your comment data is processed. Far from being the aggressive fish species many mistake them for, these gentle giants are more closely related to the common goldfish! A vet may also prescribe antibiotics if its caused by bacteria, but in many cases, saving the fish is quite hard. Monitor your bala sharks and water parameters regularly. The bala shark isnt a real freshwater shark. When a Bala Shark suffers from a fungal infection, it develops a fluffy growth that is usually white. The typical lifespan of a Bala shark is known to be 10 years. Best Substrate For Planted Tank The Key To Awesome Aquascape, Best Low And Medium Light Aquarium Plants, Dwarf Hairgrass: Planting, Carpeting, And Care. Constant twitching accompanied by frantic swimming or a change in appearance could be a bad sign. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. After the female has laid eggs along the bottom of the tank, the male will fertilize the eggs with milt. Bala sharks are timid and easily scared, and spend a lot of time hiding in caves and behind plants. Chief among these requirements is strong water flow, coupled with good oxygenation. 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) 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. These gentle giants lend a certain peacefulness to any freshwater aquarium, and we are certain you will enjoy their presence. Instead, the tricolored fish, also known as "Balantiocheilos melanopterus", have an average lifespan of 6 to 10 years. Keep the bottom of the tank clear or add a breeding net to catch the eggs. 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. It is recommended that Bala Sharks be given a good quality dry fish food like pellets or flakes as their main food source. Obviously, the more fish you have, the more room they will need. Read more about me here. There are plenty of methods to cure fungal infections in fish, but the procedure is usually similar to curing bacterial infections. Adding more will be better if theres enough space for all the fish to roam freely. Remove the affected fish from the main tank. This should subside as they navigate their surroundings. Bala sharks do not protect their young, so it is important to remove the parents from the tank. These twitches, being somewhat mysterious, could be an indicator of normal behavior or potential stressors that you need to watch out for. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. This includes red patches, skin ulcers, bloody fins, deformed scales, blisters, or sores. Despite how big these fish are and how fast they can swim, they arent faster than some of their potential hunters. 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. Think carefully before choosing tank mates for your bala sharks, as they might stress them and make them uncomfortable. Females often have a slightly rounded belly area and body type. This is why having a lid on your tank is a smart idea. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Luckily, Lymphocystis isnt a fatal disease. If you want to get in touch we encourage you to do so via our contact page. All-in-all, the Bala Shark makes an excellent addition to almost any freshwater tank. 4. 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. These should be avoided or closely monitored to ensure that your Bala Shark is safe with their tankmates. He is about 4 to 5 inches. Bala Sharks turning white? | Freshwater Fish Disease and Health Forum Once the eggs hatch, feed the baby Bala sharks with a specialized fry food and pay close attention to their development. To avoid this scenario, always have several of them as they travel together in schools when in natural environments. 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. If your bala shark is unwell, it could also cause them to stress out which may activate their twitching tendencies. What's more, Bala Sharks are sensitive to pH imbalance, and ignoring the expected range is one of the easiest ways to shorten their lifespan. The most popular signs of stress are lack of activity and lost appetite. We have a 15 gallon with 2 BalasOne is s little more playful that the other. Fish owners should also be aware that fish kept in captivity will not typically reproduce or breed. They are rubbing themselves against the gravel and rocks. Silver sharks do best when their water temperature is at 77F. Avoid small fish. Bala Shark Care: Care Guide, Breeding, Tank Size and Disease Fungal infections are caused by spores that target the scales and skin of a fish. 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. The most common suggested range is between a 120 and 150 gallon tank, which is a rather large aquarium. Common Bala Shark Diseases to Watch For - Avid Aquarist 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. Currently, I have 3 fish tanks at our home, where I enjoy this hobby with my Mom, Dad, and Younger Sister. Sores and ulcers on the body and head, ragged, bloody fins. 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. Symptoms: White, wriggling parasites that can be seen attached to the outer skin of the fish. I would feed everyone as normal but see if he eats? In most cases, Bala Sharks will play dead when they go into shock, which is somewhat similar to humans fainting. Millie is a passionate aquarist who caught the fishkeeping bug in high school and has been addicted ever since. Why Are My Bala Sharks Dying? {How You Can Help Save Them} The other one does not have this and I can't recall seeing it before on this one. Keeping one bala shark in a tank is a significant stressor. You might also have to ask the vet for an antibiotic to make your sick fish feel better. A bala sharks twitches are a series of rapid movements that are extremely quick. The dominant shark will constantly pick on the weakest, causing stress and leading to susceptability to infections and disease (as mentioned above). Make sure that the water parameters are stable and pristine. Betta Fish Tank Ideas Unique, Cute And Cool Designs, Best Places To Buy Goldfish For Sale Online, 13 Awesome Freshwater Aquarium Sharks to Enhance Your Underwater World, Aquarium Light VS Grow Light Know Which One To Choose. Remove all fish from the tank, including the parents, to prevent the adults from eating the fry. Place your 150-gallon tank on a sturdy surface. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. For example, the oxygen levels are extremely low in the water due to broken pumps or bubblers. Tankarium is reader-supported. High-quality dried food, like flakes and pellets, should make up the bulk of the bala sharks diet. These fish are used to warm waters with a pebbly or muddy substrate. 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.

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