Sudden Bala death

C

chsdi

Registered Member
Jan 13, 2006
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I have a 55 gal freshwater tank. One small angel fish, 3 cat, and there USED to 4 bala sharks. I fed 2 mornings ago--everyone at the top enthusiastic about the flake food, as usual. When I came back in the room 10 minutes later, one of the Balas was dead.

I test regularly, but tested again-- even took water in to have it tested at the aquarium store. Everything was fine: 6.8 ph, no ammonia; tank water is 76.

This morning I fed and watched them all carefully (as yesterday) when suddenly, a bala did 3 lightening fast loops from top to bottom, swam off to the right, and sank to the bottom of the tank where it died.

WHAT should/can I do??? Nothing seems wrong externally. I'm beginning to wonder if something is wrong with the food (although it's the same container of flake food they've all been eating for 6 or 7 weeks now).

Please help!
 
What is your water change schedule -- how often and what quantity?

Also need to know nitrites and nitrate readings. Especially nitrates. Numbers, please, for all readings: ammonia, nitrites, nitrates

Roan
 
hmmm..... how long has this tank been set up? How big are the balas and what kind of cats are in the tank?
(you do know that 4 (now 3) balas can quickly grow big too quickly for a 55 gallon and the fact that they are so skittish, it's too much for a 55 as they grow.... ). They are a schooling fish and a 55 gallon is just not big enough long term for them.
 
chsdi said:
Ammonia is <.25; nitrite <.25, nitrate 20
I forgot to say water changes are 33% 1 a month
Click to expand...
Are you using strips? Any ammonia or nitrites that are not 0 can be harmful to your fish. You might want to consider getting a liquid master test kit as they are far more accurate than strips.

Water changes of 33% every month is not really enough to keep fish healthy. They need fresh water of no less than 25% a week.

Since it's impossible to tell if you have an ammonia or nitrites problem with those "less than" numbers, I can't really say as to whether the water quality is an issue or not.

The only thing I can recommend at this time is that you up the water changes. Your fish will be healthier in the long run.

Roan
 
I am using a freshwater master test kit-- but the card indicators I have only show "0 ppm" before jumping to ".25" --the color of the test water is in between the 0 and the .25

The tank has been set up about 4 months now (and I do know balas get too large for a 55 gal tank. I got them VERY small and have another home for them when --if!--they outgrow this one).

Is it possible the flakes have "gone bad"? I got them 3 weeks ago and things seemed fine; until suddenly my friendly beautiful balas eat and die.
 
You need to be doing 30% to 50% water changes a week. Ammonia and nitrite should be at Zero nothing else especially ammonia less than .25ppm is not enough. I'm sure everyone else will agree.
 
I may be wrong, and while water quality is an issue, I really do not think the water has that much to do with the situation you are having. You have had the tank long enough and if your other Balas seem healthy and not stressed then the water should not be the problem. Are they doing the usual "sucking" action more than say once a second? From watching my fish 2-5 times a second is a good stress indicator.

I have had my balas for awhile now and while I did lose one of my original six. The 5 left have been fine. I did notice before the first one died that the other balas were not letting it feed for one reason or another. Also that it banged itself pretty good on the side of the tank the night before. How big are your Balas? if they are over 3.5" long, its time to move them.

What kind of flake food are you providing them? I would definitely stop using the food immediately. Any chance chems may have contaminated the food during a water change?

I do use flake to feed my sharks during the morning and blood worms and night, they love the latter. Switch to blood worms (I use frozen) for the time being.

But back to the original issue of water.... DEFINITELY do about 25% water change EVERY week. Just like us humans, Balas as well as all other fish like to swim in clean water.

I keep nothing but Bala's so please keep me advised of your Bala situation.
 
chsdi said:
I am using a freshwater master test kit-- but the card indicators I have only show "0 ppm" before jumping to ".25" --the color of the test water is in between the 0 and the .25
Click to expand...
If the color of the test water is between the 0 and .25, then halve it. So your both your ammonia and nitrites are at .125 and that's not a good indication of the water quality.

Can you think of any reason, other than lack of weekly water changes, as to why you are showing ammonia and nitrites?

hondaman seems to know his sharks and has some interesting comments and things to watch for. I would definitely pay attention to what he is saying, but please don't disregard the overall water quality. Bottom feeders are usually the first to go when water quality is an issue.

Roan
 
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