It can be difficult to tell apart the sexes. Treat the tank with OTC antibacterial treatment. Overcrowding can decrease the chances of successful breeding. You should avoid filling the tank with big or aggressive fish that might startle your bala sharks. These foods form the basis of a healthy diet, so you should look for one thats formulated specifically for omnivores. 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. This one causes white spots to appear on the Bala Sharks skin. Additionally, these fish should be closely watched as they grow to ensure continued compatibility with smaller fish. The process of being bagged up, taken home, and added to an aquarium they arent used to is a lot of rapid change for a bala shark. Furthermore, you need to keep your water clean by removing old water and replacing it occasionally. 2020 - 2023 eFishkeeping. Hey guys! What do they eat? Bala sharks prefer fast-flowing waters, and swim in the midwater regions of their habitat. 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. Overall, you should be feeding yours 3 times a day. These tend to be very active, and they make great home aquarium fish as they are interesting to watch. Fortunately for aquarists, Bala Sharks are very low maintenance in this regard. The first is the baseline water temperature. There are some larger fish species that tend to be predators (like cichlids). Also, the Bala Shark itself can become prone to stress if there are . Personally, however, we prefer to go with the large tank right away. Its definitely possible, but its not known for sure. Most fish experts recommend that about 25 to 35 percent of the tank water be renewed each week to keep them healthy, comfortable and happy in their environment. They lock their fins to the side and stop moving them. Poor water conditions are the main reason why bala sharks suffer from stress. 4. Do Bala Sharks Twitch As A Defense Mechanism? 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. Then, treat with over-the-counter medication. #1 I have two Bala sharks. Bala sharks do not protect their young, so it is important to remove the parents from the tank. Here are a few things youll need: With a little bit of care and dedication, your bala sharks should thrive in your tank! If you are concerned about them being stressed, check their water conditions to make sure the temperature is right and the quality is clean. Algae Eaters: How Many To Have In A Fish Tank? Due to their large body size, its easy to assume that Bala sharks need lots and lots of food the more, the merrier. You can easily find them in pet stores. They are sticking together and kinda slapping their fin with each other. Please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for any animal or pet-related medical advice. 6. Come join the discussion about species,breeding, health, behavior, aquariums, adopting, care, classifieds, and more! Think carefully before choosing tank mates for your bala sharks, as they might stress them and make them uncomfortable. Sores and ulcers on the body and head, ragged, bloody fins. 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. My bala sharks have white spots all over their fins and bodies. As diurnal fish, they are more active in the day than the night. 1)One of my bala sharks has already died. Luckily, Lymphocystis isnt a fatal disease. 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. Additionally, youll want a filter that can handle a large volume of water and has a good filtration capacity. Bala sharks are some of the most difficult fish to breed, as they take a while to reach sexual maturity. The last factor when it comes to tank conditions is the lighting. Unless there are other signs that your bala shark may be sick, theres no reason to worry at the first sign of twitching. Bala Sharks: A Guide to Care, Breeding, Diet & Behavior white spots to appear on the Bala Sharks skin, Introducing contaminated food, fish, or water. Bala Sharks are an excellent freshwater aquarium fish. I have a 5ft tank with a mixture of gourami (honey pearl and blue dwarf). [Top 5 Causes And Solutions]. The most common suggested range is between a 120 and 150 gallon tank, which is a rather large aquarium. Time will tell. In addition to their dry food, Bala sharks need live protein. They do have a preference for water thats on the softer end of things, but will be happy with medium hardness as well. This can happen for several reasons, but its usually nothing to worry about if its only a few scales. You should get a bala shark if you have plenty of space for at least five of these active shoaling fish. Replace the filter with an internal sponge filter that wont suck up the fry. . Although not considered an aggressive fish species, Bala Sharks can eat smaller fish, especially those that are smooth and sleek, as they get bigger. The Bala shark does not even reach sexual maturity until it is around four inches (10 or 15 cm) in size, so Bala shark breeding can be difficult for . Within 24 hours, larvae should appear. The bala sharks natural habitat is lakes and fast-flowing rivers and streams in Southeast Asia. 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. If you have to make any adjustments to the water pH, ensure it stays within the recommended range of 6.5 to 8. After the female spawns, the male will then fertilize the spawned eggs with a substance called milt. And two upside down swimming cat fish? Later, fry can be given cyclops or nauplii of artemia. Ideally, youd to it the other way around. Monitor your bala sharks and water parameters regularly. Fish owners should also be aware that fish kept in captivity will not typically reproduce or breed. 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. I'm not exactly sure what this could be but I'd tag it as a neurological sign. The male Bala shark tends to grow a little larger than females. How should you size the filter? Typically, we like to recommend a minimum tank size of 150 gallons. When in captivity, the Bala Sharks only becomes able to reproduce when they are at least 3 years of age and at least 5 inches, or 13 cm, long. And there you have it! These should be avoided or closely monitored to ensure that your Bala Shark is safe with their tankmates. Some fish breeders recommend adding an antibiotic solution to the tank water. I was thinking it was Ick so I've begun treating the tank, but none of the other fish in the tank have the spots except the bala sharks. (50 gallon tank). They can actually get along with a plethora of other types of fish. 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. This can come in the form of frozen fish, brine shrimp, insect larvae, and worms. Bala Sharks Twitching? (7 Things You Need To Know!) Theyre colored yellow, black and gray, and they can grow up to 12 inches, or 25-30 cm, in length making them relatively large for an aquarium fish. 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. Bala sharks also arent the only types of fish that twitch. 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. Bala Shark 101 Care Guide for Beginners - Avid Aquarist These, Why Your Betta Fish Is Laying At The Bottom Of The Tank, Why Is My Goldfish Turning White? Pay close attention to signs of illness, and take steps to correct any water issues. The fish ram themselves into the tanks walls. 40 gallon with 13 hermit crabs- 11 PPs, 1 E, 1 Straw. 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 disease. At first we thought it was sand or gravel . Yes, it is most likely stress from what he's gone through. As a result, they may lose a few scales if the tank is too small for them or overcrowded with rough decorations. Youll be rewarded with a healthy, happy aquarium filled with beautiful bala sharks! They may not know what to do with themselves if they dont have enough room to swim back and forth in the aquarium. By the time youre finished reading, youll know a ton about them and be able to decide if theyre a good fit for you. In that case, its usually accompanied by other erratic behaviors like excessive twitching, rolling, pitching, etc. The average lifespan of a bala shark is between eight and ten years. Millie is a passionate aquarist who caught the fishkeeping bug in high school and has been addicted ever since. To avoid overfeeding, feed the fish an amount it can eat within about two minutes. A good, nutritious diet is important to every fish, and Bala sharks are no different. With a little bit of care and dedication, your bala sharks should thrive in your tank! All you need to provide them with sufficient lighting is a basic freshwater lamp that shouldnt cost you much money at all. Other than diseases, Bala Sharks can develop white spots across their bodies due to stress.
Senator Armstrong Soundboard,
The Shining Book Parents Guide,
What Does The Name Glen Mean In The Bible,
Articles B