Today, Bala Sharks are considered an endangered species of fish and are thought to have become rare or extinct in many of their original freshwater habitats. You can buy them from the following reputable online stores:LiveAquariaImperial TropicalsAppearance & BehaviorBala sharks have long, silver bodies with bold, pointed fins. Blood Parrot Black Spot Disease or Stress. Millie is a passionate aquarist who caught the fishkeeping bug in high school and has been addicted ever since. Making this a habit will help you provide better care for your Bala Sharks, and prevent you from having to deal with unwanted surprises. 4. While another theory is that bala sharks twitch to communicate with other fish, either to defend themselves or intimidate others. Plants and roots work fine. 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! The tank water temperature is yet another important factor to consider when setting up a Bala shark tank. Make sure these are working properly. Many fish owners also like to add a bit of finely diced spinach and/or fruits as well. 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. 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. Just keep it on for a third of the day (or eight hours) and you will have very happy fish! Hi! There are plenty of methods to cure fungal infections in fish, but the procedure is usually similar to curing bacterial infections. Jeff has always enjoyed having pets, but as a child, he was drawn to his familys fish tank. And one from these pair chase other two and when other fish comes near them it chase them too. On Avid Aquarist, Jeff shares everything hes learned about helping aquatic life survive and thrive in a home aquarium. Twitching may help bala sharks move faster through the water. Aggressive and non-compatible tank mates can make bala sharks stressed. Attempting to definitively answer the question, why do bala sharks twitch, is difficult. They are sticking together and kinda slapping their fin with each other. And it will eat smaller fish. Later, fry can be given cyclops or nauplii of artemia. It is recommended that Bala Sharks be given a good quality dry fish food like pellets or flakes as their main food source. Remove the affected fish from the main tank. Disclaimer: The content on this website is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. These white spots irritate the fish skin, so itll swim erratically and rub itself against objects and tank walls. Immediate water change and increase aeration. In the pet store, Bala sharks are sold when they are very young and only measure one or two inches. This is why having a lid on your tank is a smart idea. Bala Shark (Silver Shark) Size, Tank, Food, Lifespan & More 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. Bala Shark 101 Care Guide for Beginners - Avid Aquarist 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. Bala Shark has a distinctive shape with a . The last factor when it comes to tank conditions is the lighting. To avoid this scenario, always have several of them as they travel together in schools when in natural environments. Generally speaking, this particular behavior has been observed to last anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes at a time. Heres a fun little factoid: Bala sharks are not, in fact, true sharks. All fish are stressed by being netted and moved to a new environment, and many take time to regain their normal behaviours. Tankarium is reader-supported. All Rights Reserved. This species is not a true shark, but is commonly so called because of its torpedo -shaped body and large fins. They make an excellent addition to an aquarium due in part to their mild-temperament as well as their beauty and grace. Dont add non-fish species like shrimps and crabs to a bala shark tank, because they are known to eat crustaceans. Choosing a small tank for your bala shark can stress them as they grow bigger and compete for food. 354 354. The first is the baseline water temperature. This can stress out smaller fish that tend to move less. Bala Shark Habitat and Tank Conditions Tank size. My rainbow shark and bala shark are swimming at the top of the tank gasping. Why Do Bala Sharks Twitch? Is This Normal? Aquatic Byte To treat ich, you must isolate the infected fish in a separate tank. Dont get a bala shark if your tank is small or contains large predatory fish. It can be assumed that since other fish do it, its just one of those many quirks that make fish such fascinating animals. Home Aquatic Problems & Solutions Clear Signs of Stress in Bala Sharks. Please avoid nippy fish even if these fish dont hurt your bala sharks in any material way, their presence will serve as a constant source of stress for these gentle giants. You can also add other decorations like driftwood, rocks, and caves. A perpetual nomad, Wanda does her best to integrate fish-keeping with her lifestyle, and has taken care of fish in three different continents. Finally, Bala sharks need a nutritious source of plant matter. If you are concerned about them being stressed, check their water conditions to make sure the temperature is right and the quality is clean. 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. 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. They can actually get along with a plethora of other types of fish. Ich or stress on my Bala. Because Bala Sharks can grow to a large size, it is essential to give them plenty of protein in their diet to keep them growing strong. This infection is usually well-defined and appears in the fishs head, body, or fins, so you can confuse it with ich. However, Bala Sharks are a peaceful species that is extremely popular in the aquarium trade due partly to their unique appearance and calm demeanor. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Bala Shark - Who Gives A Fish Providing your fish with extra care and keeping . Chief among these requirements is strong water flow, coupled with good oxygenation. By the time youre finished reading, youll know a ton about them and be able to decide if theyre a good fit for you. Did you find this care guide helpful? In this article, well look at everything there is to know about bala sharks. Flukes is the term used to describe various types of external fish parasites. 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. The new Bala Sharks can grow at different speeds. After a few more hours, the unfertilized whitish spawn material can be safely removed. Bala sharks are fast, active swimmers that dart around the middle of the tank. This means that you must ensure that the tank you pick for them is big enough to accommodate their current and future size. Since these fish are rare in their natural abodes, most of these fish are bought from fish farms. You should also be sure your aquarium is big enough for your bala shark to swim around without feeling too cramped. my bala shark fish is acting weird - Aquarium Advice 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. For aesthetic purposes, you can go with a full-spectrum LED light that replicates the natural day and night cycle of their natural habitat. Think carefully before choosing tank mates for your bala sharks, as they might stress them and make them uncomfortable. I. n terms of lighting, bala sharks dont have any special requirements. Fortunately for aquarists, Bala Sharks are very low maintenance in this regard. Bala Shark Lifespan and How to Maximize It - Avid Aquarist Monitor your bala sharks and water parameters regularly. 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. Stress weakens the fishs immune system, so you might see white spots appearing on their bodies. High-quality dried food, like flakes and pellets, should make up the bulk of the bala sharks diet. Bala sharks also arent the only types of fish that twitch. Remove all fish from the tank, including the parents, to prevent the adults from eating the fry. Features like automatic shut-offs can also be helpful. 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. White Spots on Bala Sharks | Aquarium Forum And two upside down swimming cat fish? Since the fish stops eating, its growth is stunned and its immunity is compromised. 2. The answer to that last question is a definitive no, but well also answer every other question in this in-depth article! You can read more in our profile, click on the shaded name Bala Shark. 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. A little more research has indicated that bala sharks, if kept in a group of 2-3 will establish a dominance structure. As a shoaling fish, the bala shark feels most comfortable when housed with at least four other fish of its kind. However, we recommend testing the feeder out first. Theres also no need to fill bala sharks tanks with rocks or plants. 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. Bala sharks hail from the fast-flowing rivers of Southeast Asia. Fungal infections are caused by spores that target the scales and skin of a fish. We hope this care guide gave you some insight on how to care for bala sharks! The mollies may become food for the Bala! Bala Sharks are usually healthy and hardy fish, but theyre not completely immune to diseases. It may be OK, or there may have been internal damage. Although they might seem interesting, poor handling, like squeezing the fish's body or touching the eyes or the gills, can cause stress. Consider adding shrimp or other higher protein-laden food. 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. You should notice the females becoming rounder than normal, indicating the development of eggs.Interested males and females will spawn early in the morning, lasting for a couple of hours.After the female has laid eggs along the bottom of the tank, the male will fertilize the eggs with milt.Remove all fish from the tank, including the parents, to prevent the adults from eating the fry. Filtration Bala sharks need a quality filter that can filter five times the water volume in the tank. Ideally, youd to it the other way around. So far they are doing great with our 2 gouramis, 2 glo sharks, 4 guppies. (3 Ways to Tell). 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. Open to fish, plants and reptiles living in freshwater or saltwater environments. All-in-all, this is a pretty easy-going fish. When alone, they are more likely to act a bit more aggressive. 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. Take some time to think about it, and always default to doing whats best for the fish. forum community dedicated to tropical fish owners and enthusiasts. Can i put a bala shark in tank with male beta fish? Make sure these plants are properly anchored to the substrate, as bala sharks are active swimmers that may uproot them. To play it safe we always recommend a minimum tank size thats on the larger end of this spectrum as a starting point. After the female spawns, the male will then fertilize the spawned eggs with a substance called milt. And of course, aggressive fish are absolute no-gos. The dominant shark will constantly pick on the weakest, causing stress and leading to susceptability to infections and disease (as mentioned above). 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. 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. Bala Shark Fins Fraying, Gray Scales | Freshwater Fish Disease and Lets get one thing straight Bala sharks are big fish. 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. To spur spawning, some fish breeders slowly increase the tank water temperature from 77 degrees up to 82 degrees. Bala shark - Wikipedia Interested males and females will spawn early in the morning, lasting for a couple of hours. But if you like watching bala sharks, you might notice a few things that show that your fish arent OK. However, a dark-colored pebbly substrate, around an inch thick, is closest to the substrate found in the fishs wild habitat. He was being chased by a red tail shark & another larger bala, lost weight (because of being bullied), eventually showed red in his fins, fins started to deteriorate after being nipped and after being quarantined still died. 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? To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The fish ram themselves into the tanks walls. Hi, I keep Guppies with my Bala Sharks. Look for nutritious foods that provide the vitamins, minerals, and proteins needed for these fish to grow to their full potential. To avoid overfeeding, feed the fish an amount it can eat within about two minutes. Bala Shark Breeding Guide (Everything You Need to Know), The Best Bala Shark Tank Size for Optimal Health. Keeping one bala shark in a tank is a significant stressor. 7. Bala sharks do not protect their young, so it is important to remove the parents from the tank. Bala Sharks turning white? | Freshwater Fish Disease and Health Forum Fish owners should also be aware that fish kept in captivity will not typically reproduce or breed. The fishs ventral fins are small and colored black or gray. Luckily, Lymphocystis isnt a fatal disease. Although bala sharks are big fish, theyre docile and peaceful. Why Are My Bala Sharks Dying? {How You Can Help Save Them} Do Bala Sharks Twitch As A Defense Mechanism? Treat the tank with OTC antibacterial treatment. The general procedure to eliminate these parasites is by isolating the fish, administering the right treatment, and disinfecting the fish tank. Can I get a Bala shark to go in with these. Fish with dropsy appear bloated and have protruding eyes, scales that stick out from the body, loss of appetite, lethargy, and rapid breathing. Keep the fry in a separate tank until the fish reach six months old or four inches long. 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. I am not to worried about it. Youll also want to be mindful of the pH levels in the tank as well. They tend not to eat many of the fry, but if you are concerned, make sure you have a lot of plants, both at the surface and the bottom for fry to hide in until they are larger.