2 questions for strange going ons

[jaser42586]

Hey everyone. I have 2 questions about things that have been going on in my tank lately.

1) I have a Bala Shark. Lately it seems that it's nose/mouth region is getting white. Like the silver is dimming? He seems like he's in good health but it's just bothering me.

2) I have two big rocks in my tank... every so often bubbles will start to rise out of the rocks very quickly. When it starts the small bubbles look like a strand of blonde hair that's floating in my tank then it will slow down and you can see the tiny bubbles space out very equally. It'll keep slowing down and finally stop. It does this about once or twice a week in the same spot on the rock. This isn't live rock or anything it's just a big rock sitting in my tank. lol

Any ideas? :confused:

[Wippit Guud]

How big is the tank?
The Bala might be running into things.

[travelinman1969]

My thought is he might be rubbing on the rock. Mine does that but the rocks are smooth and it doesn't hurt him. If your rocks are rough that may be the problem. Not sure on the rocks.

[LittleLoach]

About the rock ... do you know what type it is? How long ago did you put it in there?

Some rocks, like sandstone are very porous and will slowly leach out trapped gasses over a period of time. But the time it takes to do this can depend on the density of the rock as well as the length of time it has been submerged.

Whenever I start a new tank with rocks, it usually takes about a month for most of the rocks to settle. A lot longer for larger pieces.

[Dangerdoll]

I think we'd need to know the size of the tank the bala is in, sounds like he is running into something...whether it be the rock or the sides of the tank. Balas are pretty skittish fish and seem to flip-out for various reasons, usually resulting in crashes when in a smaller tank and/or with decorations.