Bala Sharks

J

Juelzann

Registered Member
Nov 30, 2015
15
0
1
36
Grand Rapids
Does anyone have knowledge on Bala Sharks? I have a horrible habit of killing them :(
I have them in a 30 gallon tank with mainly Cichlids. (2 Parrot fish, 4 Serpae Tetra, 2 Blue Acara and my lone Bala Shark, there used to be 3)
My water tests are all pretty good, my Nitrates are at about 80ppm and my pH is around 7.4 - 7.6. My Ammonia and Nitrites are 0.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
 
Bala sharks, from what I've seen, are normally pretty bulletproof. The issue is that they have the potential to grow to 14-16" long, and are social/schooling fish, and many people that keep them aren't prepared to provide for a fish with needs of that magnitude. Your nitrates are a little higher than I'd normally keep them, but certainly not at a toxic level. Are they exhibiting any symptoms prior to death?
 
  • Like
Reactions: CichlidFins
I have to say I've kept balas in a 75g & they were never happy as they grew. They seemed a bit nervous (jumpy) in a 4ft tank.

As Sploke said, your nitrate level is much higher than I'd like...maybe adding to their naturally nervous nature. I'd try to do water changes to keep it below 20ppm.

I have not kept parrotfish but a 30g seems small for them...& your other fish...might be a good time to rethink your stocking in that tank
 
balas do better in groups of three at least but one certainly wont die by itself. I had one that was 11 inches in my 100 with three large redhooks that lived with them for 3 years I traded the bala for smaller fish but the bala schooled with my redhooks at times
 
I have tried doing water changes and can't get the nitrates down. I've used a treatment that is supposed to help also. Any other tips??

I had 4 bala sharks at one point for a few weeks and then they just die off. They do show symptoms before they die, and the last time I did a water change and it seemed better but then a few days later he was laying at the bottom of my tank :(


I am thinking about trading my parrot fish in, my boyfriend wanted them, but I don't really care for them much. They are very shy and I never get to see them unless I hide in the dark.

I am upgrading to a 55 gallon tank in the next week or so. Just need to get a few more things so it will run smoothly.
 
how many gallons are you taking out when you do water changes ? with that stocking you may need to be doing upwards of 60 to 75 % weekly
 
50-75% WC weekly, minimum. What is the nitrate reading on your tap water?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom