agressive bala shark

[bigmatt76]

my bala shark is about 6 inches long. i have had him for a while. when ever i feed my fish he like starts attacking the other fish. does this mean that i need to feed him more? after all he is a big fish.

matt

[bettagurl]

what size tank is he in?what are his tankmates?

[Dangerdoll]

depends on the size of the tank and the other fish. For me, balas were never really aggressive more than they were skittish.... you may have run out of space for this guy.

[Rbishop]

What size is the tank? How many and what other kind of fish?

[bigmatt76]

he is in a 60 gallon tank. he is with silver dollars and angel fish. they have all been together since they were little. he has just recentley started this.

[Rbishop]

You need a tank at least double that size.

[bettagurl]

a 60 gal is too small,thats probably why your having agression.

[bigmatt76]

well i there is no way i can get a tank that big in my house. but its only when i feed them

[Dangerdoll]

The tank is way too small for him and he would do better if her were in a school. He's fighting for room. Although they have been together since they were little, some fish have this type of aggression happen seemingly overnight... as you have seen. He needs double this size tank and even more for a school of him.

[bettagurl]

then you need to find him a new home,he will be stunted,its very painful for them to be stunted.

[bigmatt76]

and what is stunted? my neighbor has one that is in a 25 gallon and he is fine. he is with other fish too.

[Dangerdoll]

:thud:
25 gallon is soooo not the tank for this fish. Stunting occurs when a fish needing a bigger sized tank than what is offered. When placed in a tank too small, his outer body stops growing but his insides keep on growing. This will turn into a complication and wind up killing the fish eventually.

[bigmatt76]

ya i know my neighbors tank is way to small but i used to have mine in a 25 too and then i bought a 60 because that is what the guy said would be ok for him.

[Rbishop]

As fish keepers, we have an obligation to provide an environment where fish can thrive, not just survive.

Keeping a fish in a tank that is to small is not right. You have to account for adult size, and get as close to it's natural habitat as possible for it to display normal characteristics.

Some fish naturally live in schools or groups, such as bala sharks. They also get very large and need free swimming space. Keeping them in an excessively small space causes stress and premature death.

Please do us all a favor and find your bala a new home, as should neighbor. Thanks.