What a terrible start to new hobby...
- Thread starter GSM
- Start date
Bala sharks need BIG tanks
A word to the wise, the bigger your Bala Shark gets, the more he's going to freak out. One of these days he's gonna jump out when you aren't around, or else he'll bust himself up on the glass every time something spooks him. I had 3 balas in a 55 gallon, and had to give them up within a year.
They're gorgeous fish, and highly entertaining, but they were not meant for the average aquarium. I wouldn't recommend any bala shark to a tank smaller than 100 gallons. They're just too large, too spooky, and need company from other balas.
You'll save yourself a lot of heartache if you take them back now and get something more well suited to your tank size and skill level. Balas are hardy, but need more space.
Corydoras, a betta, and hardy tetras would be my recommendation.
OH, another note, unless your catfish is a corydora, he'll be big enough to eat the rest of your fish within 6 months. I lost a fish a night once mine learned they were edible.
A word to the wise, the bigger your Bala Shark gets, the more he's going to freak out. One of these days he's gonna jump out when you aren't around, or else he'll bust himself up on the glass every time something spooks him. I had 3 balas in a 55 gallon, and had to give them up within a year.
They're gorgeous fish, and highly entertaining, but they were not meant for the average aquarium. I wouldn't recommend any bala shark to a tank smaller than 100 gallons. They're just too large, too spooky, and need company from other balas.
You'll save yourself a lot of heartache if you take them back now and get something more well suited to your tank size and skill level. Balas are hardy, but need more space.
Corydoras, a betta, and hardy tetras would be my recommendation.
OH, another note, unless your catfish is a corydora, he'll be big enough to eat the rest of your fish within 6 months. I lost a fish a night once mine learned they were edible.
Thanks 80g, well life is full of ups and downs, but my water changes, well i try to make sure they are not, only done a few so far!
The balas, well after the amusing and shocking experience of one landing in my pocket, I have to agree with people they are meant for bigger and better tanks, so i will take it back to the lfs and see what else is on offer, once i have done treating the ick!
I have to say though, I find this "hobby" very peacefull in many ways, I sit there for very long periods of time just looking at the fishes and observing their individual activities!
A bit of a change from my job as a paramedic!
Well I hope I can learn more and get to grips with keeping fish, I have always wanted to do so for a very long time, and finally got round to it!
I am sorry for boring you so i will shut up now!
The balas, well after the amusing and shocking experience of one landing in my pocket, I have to agree with people they are meant for bigger and better tanks, so i will take it back to the lfs and see what else is on offer, once i have done treating the ick!
I have to say though, I find this "hobby" very peacefull in many ways, I sit there for very long periods of time just looking at the fishes and observing their individual activities!
A bit of a change from my job as a paramedic!
Well I hope I can learn more and get to grips with keeping fish, I have always wanted to do so for a very long time, and finally got round to it!
I am sorry for boring you so i will shut up now!
boring us? Nope, just a reminder of what we've all done too. I'm very experienced with Balas and catfish in tanks that are too small...
The reason I'm here is to share my experience, and to put a break in the boredom of work... hehe, covering for my dad's office manager is SOOO fun. There's a huge pile of stuff for her to do, but nothing that I can do except for answer the phone...
So anyway, welcome to AC, and the fishkeeping hobby in general. There's a wealth of knowledge here (its where 99% of mine came from
) and the more time you spend here, the more you learn, and the more enjoyable fishkeeping will be.
The reason I'm here is to share my experience, and to put a break in the boredom of work... hehe, covering for my dad's office manager is SOOO fun. There's a huge pile of stuff for her to do, but nothing that I can do except for answer the phone...So anyway, welcome to AC, and the fishkeeping hobby in general. There's a wealth of knowledge here (its where 99% of mine came from
) and the more time you spend here, the more you learn, and the more enjoyable fishkeeping will be.
A suggestion for when you do get more fish... you really should set up a quarentine tank so you aren't exposing your current fish to any "badies" coming in from other tanks.
And imo anyway... for the ich.. any thing can stress a fish and allow ich the footing it needs to attack. Even you reaching in to remove the plant can tbe enough of a stressor for some of the more skittish fish.
Good luck and welcome to the addiction.
And imo anyway... for the ich.. any thing can stress a fish and allow ich the footing it needs to attack. Even you reaching in to remove the plant can tbe enough of a stressor for some of the more skittish fish.
Good luck and welcome to the addiction.
Again thanks for the help, and I have to agree that even a little stress will cause any problem, not just ich to get a hold, and this is what disturbs me a little, as even though you may have the biggest tank you can afford or accomodate, even though the chemical balance may be harder to change suddenly, there are many other factors that could cause stress, such as external factors, like you and me and other pets etc...
So its just a case of learning as you have so rightly said!
So its just a case of learning as you have so rightly said!
By the way just though i would mention the genus of the catfish, it is Corydoras so i should be ok with that in my tank! well at least i hope so!
I pour. I ensure the water is about the same temperature, but I don't obsess about it. I agree that large temperature changes can be a stressor, but I think the danger is overemphasised. I especially disagree with the assertion that this is "a major cause of ick". The major cause of ick is introducing new fish that have not been quarantined. I have seen ick in fish on a number of occasions, and it's always been after introducing new fish, never after a water change.
I cannot find any evidence anywhere that ick can lie dormant for more than a few days. What I think can happen is that fish can be infected at a low level - flashing occasionally but no external symptoms, and a stressor can allow a pre-existing ick infection to become more serious.
I cannot find any evidence anywhere that ick can lie dormant for more than a few days. What I think can happen is that fish can be infected at a low level - flashing occasionally but no external symptoms, and a stressor can allow a pre-existing ick infection to become more serious.
I'v never had ick in my current planted tank. I am very cautious about what fish I add, and make sure each added fish is healthy. I don't mess with the temp of my water when doing changes--it's roughly 60-65. So, about 10-18 degrees different from the tank water. I do changes of about 20-25% weekly. Never had a problem with it.
Do you think fish get sick/stressed everytime there's a rain storm?
We do bring the temp up for the SW tank, but only for changes. Topoff water is from the same bucket I do my changes from. Never had a problem there, either.
Do you think fish get sick/stressed everytime there's a rain storm?
We do bring the temp up for the SW tank, but only for changes. Topoff water is from the same bucket I do my changes from. Never had a problem there, either.
I think i can agree with both of you hear, i suppose if a water change of 50% + is made it will cause an big change in the temperature of the tank, which could in turn lead to complications such as ick or others, for example if a person has an infection they are more prone to other ailments, secondary infections etc..
But when a change of under 25% is made, i dont think that it would cause a great change in the total water difference, not enough to stimulate a possible infection or parasite.
But that said i may be wrong as i am new to this game, so i am looking for guidance on this
But when a change of under 25% is made, i dont think that it would cause a great change in the total water difference, not enough to stimulate a possible infection or parasite.
But that said i may be wrong as i am new to this game, so i am looking for guidance on this
