One that seems to have developed a bright red area at the base of it's dorsal fin. In their native habitats, Bala Sharks are also known by other names that include Tricolor Shark, Silver Bala, Silver Shark and Tri Color Minnows due to their unique colors and markings. We have a 15 gallon with 2 BalasOne is s little more playful that the other. Bala Shark Tank Size and Specifications . This information should be more than enough to give you an idea of if this is the right fish for you. These gentle giants lend a certain peacefulness to any freshwater aquarium, and we are certain you will enjoy their presence. You should notice the females becoming rounder than normal, indicating the development of eggs. If your bala shark is new to your aquarium, theyll need time to adapt to their new environment. Silver sharks do best when their water temperature is at 77F. Some fish experts like to provide a more diversified diet for their Bala Sharks to mimic their natural environment food sources as closely as possible. A bala sharks twitches are a series of rapid movements that are extremely quick. What's more, Bala Sharks are sensitive to pH imbalance, and ignoring the expected range is one of the easiest ways to shorten their lifespan. Please share it with someone who might appreciate it! Bala Sharks are a large and interesting freshwater fish that many aquarium owners consider at one point or another. You might also have to ask the vet for an antibiotic to make your sick fish feel better. It can be assumed that since other fish do it, its just one of those many quirks that make fish such fascinating animals. Make sure that the water parameters are stable and pristine. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I feel bad for him because he needs more room to swim. Pay close attention to signs of illness, and take steps to correct any water issues. Although their name indicates a similarity to sharks, considered to be aggressive predators, these peaceful freshwater sharks get their name due to the similar body shape and higher, triangular-shaped dorsal fin. Due to their large body size, its easy to assume that Bala sharks need lots and lots of food the more, the merrier. To avoid this scenario, always have several of them as they travel together in schools when in natural environments. This one causes irregular wart-like growth scattered across the fishs body. Robert, Would a Bala Shark be okay with platies and tetras in the same tank? Fish also suffer from a change in behavior due to dropsy, including a noticeable lack of appetite and reduced activity. Here's How To Setup The Air Pump, Air Stone, & Sponge Filter For Aquarium. The general procedure to eliminate these parasites is by isolating the fish, administering the right treatment, and disinfecting the fish tank. These tend to be just 3 to 4 inches when first bought, and fish owners are often surprised to learn that the adult size can be up to 1 foot or 13 inches. Assuming that youve committed to raising bala sharks, you want to make sure that your tank is set up properly. These signs vary depending on the individual shark but can include changes in behavior, such as swimming in a different direction or staying close to the water's surface. Bala sharks prefer fast-flowing waters, and swim in the midwater regions of their habitat.Otocinclus: Oto Catfish Care Guide Please enable JavaScriptOtocinclus: Oto Catfish Care Guide & Species ProfileAdult Size & LifespanBala sharks grow up to 14 inches long. Keep the fry in a separate tank until the fish reach six months old or four inches long. My name is Jeff, and my goal with this site is to share everything I've learned over the years about caring for aquatic life. Just be sure to do your research before feeding them any unfamiliar foods and this applies to veggies. Usually, these fish thrive under a stable temperature of 77F. Unless you live in a tropical climate, you will need an aquarium heater to maintain these temperatures. When alone, they are more likely to act a bit more aggressive. Most fish breeders recommend that at least 5 Bala Sharks be kept together during the breeding process to ensure that there is both male and female fish in the holding tank. The fish is called a bala shark because of its long, pointed dorsal fin, which resembles a sharks fin.Bala sharks have long, torpedo-shaped, silvery-gray bodies with silver or yellow fins edged with black. Do Bala Sharks Twitch As A Defense Mechanism? Though I'm not positive, maybe someone will have a better diagnosis. Home Aquatic Problems & Solutions Common Bala Shark Diseases to Watch For. Bala Sharks, Bala Shark, Silver Shark, Tri-Color Minnow, Sharkminnow (Balantiocheilus melanopterus), Gets along with similarly sized community fish. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Female bala sharks have rounder bellies than males. If you notice any sick bala shark in the aquarium, remove it and keep it in a separate tank until it improves. Bala sharks are native to the clean, freshwater rivers and lakes of Southeast Asia, including around the Malay Peninsula, in the Chao Phraya and Mekong basins, and in the waters surrounding Sumatra and Borneo. Bala Sharks may show signs of stress in various situations, such as: Keeping a single Bala Shark in the tank for a long time (you should keep at least 4 to 6) However, Bala Sharks are a peaceful species that is extremely popular in the aquarium trade due partly to their unique appearance and calm demeanor. If your bala shark is unwell, it could also cause them to stress out which may activate their twitching tendencies. Treat ich by removing the affected fish and placing them in a quarantine tank containing water that is a couple of degrees warmer than the home tanks temperature. All information, content, materials on this site, or obtained from a website to which the site is linked are provided to you as is without warranty of any kind either express or implied. Fully-grown bala sharks should be housed in a tank of at least 150 gallons, at least 5 feet across. I just brought home a 5" Bala Shark from Petsmart. 1. This condition causes water buildup inside the fishs body cavities, which results in belly swelling. So do I need to remove other two of them or completely take them out? The fry can be fed with ciliates at first. Is My Bala Shark Male or Female? If you have other fish in the aquarium that may potentially pose a threat to them, they might exhibit behaviors such as twitching in an effort to keep those fish away. When buying a bala shark, make sure the fish has been bred in captivity, to protect the species' wild populations. This can happen due to medical conditions, such as neurological infections that attack their central nervous systems. Partly due to their potential for growing quite large, they might be prone to hogging the food when it comes to food. Feed the fry ciliates, then switch to nauplii of artemia or cyclops once the fry are four days old.Keep the fry in a separate tank until the fish reach six months old or four inches long.Should You Get a Bala Shark for Your Aquarium?Bala sharks are unique-looking fish that provide plenty of entertainment in a home aquarium.You should get a bala shark if you have plenty of space for at least five of these active shoaling fish. Time will tell. This can stress out smaller fish that tend to move less. I have a stressed bala shark, 6 or 7 years old.Seems to have been getting picked on by a little polka dot loach and now is displaying signs of stress: fins fraying, patches of scales turning a light gray and slightly raised. Bala Sharks are an excellent freshwater aquarium fish. Well, youll need to invest in a larger tank to accommodate your fish when they reach their full size. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Perform a 50% water change and add antibacterial solutions to the water. Some great tank mates for Bala Sharks are: However, there is the chance that the Bala Shark will eat smaller fish when they become larger, so the tank should always be roomy enough for all. However, captive Bala sharks will be just as happy with any of the previously mentioned live proteins. Fish Fasting 101: Everything You Need to Know! This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Bala Shark Has White Spots? (Reasons, Treatment, Prevention) Learn how your comment data is processed. We may earn a small commission through products purchased using links on this page. To combat this, special hormone injections are necessary to spur and stimulate this breeding nature. Bala sharks can be quite active swimmers, but why do bala sharks twitch? Choosing the right tank that provides them with enough space and maintaining a healthy and suitable environment will protect your bala sharks from stress and keep them in good health. Did you find this care guide helpful? Many fish owners also like to add a bit of finely diced spinach and/or fruits as well. Bala sharks are interesting freshwater fish as they grow to a big size in a tank, making them the gentle giants of your aquarium. Learn more. Although bala sharks are big fish, theyre docile and peaceful. Aggressive and non-compatible tank mates can make bala sharks stressed. Why Do Bala Sharks Twitch? - Detailed Guide Yet, you should still take it seriously and isolate the fish until it regains its full health completely. This includes low pH caused by the high concentration of ammonia in the water. Clown loaches, bala sharks need 90 gallon tanks. Bala sharks should be fed up to three times per day. They are merely named as such due to their uncanny resemblance to their namesake. Most experts agree that Bala Shark care is relatively easy if the fish owner has some basic knowledge of fish care. Using a testing kit, you can monitor and adjust the water parameters to make them more suitable for your bala sharks. Additionally, youll want a filter that can handle a large volume of water and has a good filtration capacity. Loneliness And Boredom In Fish: An In-Depth Analysis, Can Fish Swim Backwards? If something in your aquarium is causing this, remove it and either isolate it (if its another fish) or take your bala shark to a vet for further analysis. If you are concerned about them being stressed, check their water conditions to make sure the temperature is right and the quality is clean.