bala shark signs of stress

Breeding bala sharks is moderately difficult and best attempted by aquarists with fish-breeding experience. It's best to use a 150-gallon tank with a length of at least 5 feet. The fluid buildup may also cause the eyes to bulge, the scales to point outwards, and the fins to clamp together. Female bala sharks have rounder bellies than males.Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-medrectangle-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',109,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-medrectangle-4-0_1');.medrectangle-4-multi-109{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 average lifespan of a bala shark is between eight and ten years.AvailabilityBala sharks can be purchased online easily, but the fish are difficult to find in small, local fish stores. 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. House bala sharks in a freshwater tank and feed them an omnivorous diet.Habitat and Tank RequirementsThe bala sharks natural habitat is lakes and fast-flowing rivers and streams in Southeast Asia. Bala sharks have gray or silver bodies with long, pointed yellow or gray fins edged with black. They make an excellent addition to an aquarium due in part to their mild-temperament as well as their beauty and grace. To combat this, special hormone injections are necessary to spur and stimulate this breeding nature. While another theory is that bala sharks twitch to communicate with other fish, either to defend themselves or intimidate others. Fish also suffer from a change in behavior due to dropsy, including a noticeable lack of appetite and reduced activity. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Is it possible it is an injured area or is there some disease that may cause this? Bala Sharks are usually healthy and hardy fish, but theyre not completely immune to diseases. T the biffster Moved On Joined May 10, 2010 Messages 2,835 However, it can be as low as 6.0 and up to 8.0. Best Substrate For Planted Tank The Key To Awesome Aquascape, Best Low And Medium Light Aquarium Plants, Dwarf Hairgrass: Planting, Carpeting, And Care. Perform a 50% water change and add antibacterial solutions to the water. Keep the bottom of the tank clear or add a breeding net to catch the eggs. I would feed everyone as normal but see if he eats? There are special nets that can be placed at the very bottom of the aquarium that makes it easier to spot signs of spawning. They are merely named as such due to their uncanny resemblance to their namesake. 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. This is usually caused by ich, but it can result from any other parasitic infection. Because bala sharks hail from the tropical climate of Southeast Asia, they require warm temperatures between 72-82F. 6. Dropsy is a buildup of fluid inside the fish and is usually a symptom of a bacterial or parasitic infection. You can leave the room light on. The bala shark is a freshwater species of the Cyprinidae family. All-in-all, this is a pretty easy-going fish. (Reasons, Treatment, Prevention). 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. Far from being the aggressive fish species many mistake them for, these gentle giants are more closely related to the common goldfish! 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. Millie is a passionate aquarist who caught the fishkeeping bug in high school and has been addicted ever since. 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. Rubber Bands In Aquariums? Does anyon know who would take him for me and give him more room to enjoy? This should subside as they navigate their surroundings. Make sure the decorations are securely placed and wont topple over if your bala shark bumps into them. 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. These fish do not need special foods or supplements, and fish owners should simply strive to feed them a balanced diet for continued good health. Time will tell. Add one teaspoon of salt per one gallon of water in the tank. Aquatic plants can also be added to the tank for additional oxygenation. If they hit the decorations or the wall too hard, they may get stunned for a few minutes. Your email address will not be published. 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. And will they nip your fingers off? The safe range for this is somewhere between 6.5 and 8 pH. And of course, aggressive fish are absolute no-gos. When buying a bala shark, make sure the fish has been bred in captivity, to protect the species' wild populations. Keep the bottom of the tank clear or add a breeding net to catch the eggs. Youll be rewarded with a healthy, happy aquarium filled with beautiful bala sharks! The dominant shark will constantly pick on the weakest, causing stress and leading to susceptability to infections and disease (as mentioned above). Bala sharks become sexually mature at around six months old, or when the fish have grown to four inches long. It is important to have good water flow during spawning so that the male fertilizing agent gets spread out farther. Once the tank is cycled and water parameters have stabilized, you can add your bala sharks to the tank. Then, treat with over-the-counter medication. Female bala sharks stop growing before the males, so male bala sharks are longer than females. Moreover, they dont usually attack other fish, but they will display a lot of movement, racing inside the tank from one side to another. 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. 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. It is recommended that aquarium owners place hiding spots for Bala Sharks to rest in when tired of swimming. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. When in their natural habitat, Bala Sharks are omnivores that eat insects, larvae, algae, plant portions, and small crustaceans. As previously established, dropsy may be caused by bacterial infections. Heres a fun little factoid: Bala sharks are not, in fact, true sharks. Finally, if you want to add a bit of color and texture to your aquarium, consider adding plastic plants, artificial rocks, and other decorations. 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 is measured in dGH (degrees of general hardness) and the window youre aiming for is somewhere between 10 and 13. In reality, they belong to a family of fishes known as carps and minnows. 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. These gentle giants lend a certain peacefulness to any freshwater aquarium, and we are certain you will enjoy their presence. A Bala shark that is kept alone in a tank may eventually start displaying signs of . If this is seen, the fish often has a parasitic or bacterial infection and should be treated. Bala sharks can be quite active swimmers, but why do bala sharks twitch? Although bala sharks are big fish, theyre docile and peaceful. 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. A vet may also prescribe antibiotics if its caused by bacteria, but in many cases, saving the fish is quite hard. I just got a Bala shark wrongly labeled as a black fin shark in a tiny tank with a sucker fish. 1. Were always on the lookout for feedback and ways we can improve. 5. But if you like watching bala sharks, you might notice a few things that show that your fish arent OK. Providing live plants in the tank helps keep the water cleaner. 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. 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. In their native habitats, they are accustomed to mosquito larvae, which is a widely available protein source in the rivers of Southeast Asia. Provide a similarly varied diet in captivity with a combination of live and dried foods. The most common issue that causes cloudy eyes is poor water conditions. And it will eat smaller fish. 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. 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? Make sure that every new arrival has been properly quarantined for at least two weeks. Thus, these twitches could simply help them move throughout the water faster than if they were just using their tails. Youd need a bigger heater, filter, and pump, all of which require energy to run. The fry can be fed with ciliates at first. Like all types of fish, bala sharks need proper care to thrive in their surroundings. Bala sharks are known to jump out of the tank, especially when settling into their new environment, so a secure lid on top of the tank is essential. 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. Remove the affected fish from the main tank. Lets get one thing straight Bala sharks are big fish. With a little bit of care and dedication, your bala sharks should thrive in your tank! And there you have it! 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. Overall, you should be feeding yours 3 times a day. 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. Always inquire whether a specific smaller fish is the ideal tank buddy before adding to the tank. 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. Besides theyre attractive look, Bala Sharks are generally healthy fish if you provide them with proper accommodation and water quality. 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. With ich, fish owners might begin to notice that the fish rub up against objects due to the itching. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. 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. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In Bala Sharks, cloudy eyes are not a disease but rather a symptom of many conditions and diseases. He is about 4 to 5 inches. Bala Shark Tank Size and Specifications . And one from these pair chase other two and when other fish comes near them it chase them too. Though bala sharks arent commonly found in the ocean anymore, they still have those natural instincts to want to protect themselves. 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. Bala Sharks are an excellent freshwater aquarium fish. I have a 5ft tank with a mixture of gourami (honey pearl and blue dwarf). Bala sharks hail from the fast-flowing rivers of Southeast Asia. I'm not exactly sure what this could be but I'd tag it as a neurological sign. As these Bala Fish grow larger, they should be switched to larger sized aquariums. Despite their size, theyre a peaceful fish that gets along very well with other species. Availability. 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. If your bala shark is unwell, it could also cause them to stress out which may activate their twitching tendencies. They are rubbing themselves against the gravel and rocks. Currently, I have 3 fish tanks at our home, where I enjoy this hobby with my Mom, Dad, and Younger Sister. Place a group of five bala sharks in a separate 65-gallon breeding tank with a temperature of 77F and a strong filter. After the female spawns, the male will then fertilize the spawned eggs with a substance called milt. It is also difficult to distinguish between males and females, as the differences can be quite subtle. 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. You can read more in our profile, click on the shaded name Bala Shark. Ich is a very common disease thats caused by an aquatic protozoan parasite. Snails are also not a good choice for Bala Sharks. Luckily, with early action, dietary improvement, and proper treatment, you can help your fish live a full life! The most popular viral infection in Bala Sharks is Lymphocystis. Set up a heater. Isolate the dancing pair and place them in a 60-gallon breeding tank. Please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for any animal or pet-related medical advice. As such, some assume that twitching is a sign of nervousness. If you have just 1 bala shark, its not really surprising it gets stressed, and stress can lead to other ill health issues. This can come in the form of frozen fish, brine shrimp, insect larvae, and worms. Reduced immunity due to other diseases or poor nutrition. Other than diseases, Bala Sharks can develop white spots across their bodies due to stress. Additionally, youll want a filter that can handle a large volume of water and has a good filtration capacity. Fish owners should also be aware that these relatively frisky fish tend to move around and swim for hours. Bala sharks also arent the only types of fish that twitch. In this article, well look at everything there is to know about bala sharks. Initiate spawning by gradually increasing the water temperature to 82F over the time span of a week. No additional supplements are required as long as the fish has a balanced, diverse diet.BreedingBreeding bala sharks is moderately difficult and best attempted by aquarists with fish-breeding experience. Use a thermometer to measure temperature stability and test kits to check water parameters. 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. Add substrate, live plants, and other tank decors. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Personally, however, we prefer to go with the large tank right away. Shy and slow-moving fish can be good companions for them. When buying a bala shark, make sure the fish has been bred in captivity, to protect the species wild populations. This means that the fish should be kept separated in another tank before they reach puberty. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. My rainbow shark and bala shark are swimming at the top of the tank gasping. When alone, they are more likely to act a bit more aggressive. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. These should be avoided or closely monitored to ensure that your Bala Shark is safe with their tankmates. 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. Aggressive and non-compatible tank mates can make bala sharks stressed. After the female has laid eggs along the bottom of the tank, the male will fertilize the eggs with milt. Female bala sharks stop growing before the males, so male bala sharks are longer than females. The male Bala shark tends to grow a little larger than females. Bala sharks should be fed two to three times a day, and with moderate portions. Dont add non-fish species like shrimps and crabs to a bala shark tank, because they are known to eat crustaceans. It is in their nature to explore their surroundings next to a group of their fishy friends, making these schools quite a glorious sight to behold! Although they might seem interesting, poor handling, like squeezing the fishs body or touching the eyes or the gills, can cause stress. Each bala shark is different in how often they might twitch. Observe your Bala sharks for signs of dancing, as this is an indication that they are ready to breed. 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. To breed bala sharks, follow these steps: Bala sharks are unique-looking fish that provide plenty of entertainment in a home aquarium. So, lets dive in.

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