Bala Shark Getting Nipped

[modelrr]

Hey, i just got a 2-3" bala shark for my 29 gallon. This one platy keeps on following him around and nipping at his scales. I also noticed that some scales were missing on one of the bala shark's sides.

Is this something to worry about?
thanks!

 

[teaker1s]

yes it can turn into a monster and should be in a 90 gal with other bala or silver sharks as they are known-are you aware of this

 

[modelrr]

oh well, I'll probably just return it... although, I remember someone who kept a bala shark as well as some other fairly large fish, in an even smaller aquarium than I have now.

thanks again

 

[Durbkat]

What do you have in the tank besides the 3 balas and the platy and is it a male or female platy? Also like teaker said 3 balas need at least a 125g tank. I'd return the balas because they get to big for a 29g and thier growth will be stunted and will die.

 

[modelrr]

oh no, I don't have 3 balas, I meant ONE bala that was 2-3" long.
The other tankmates include two platys (a male and a female; the male is the one that is bothering the bala), five tetras, a suckerfish, a baby bichir, and three ghost shrimp.

 

[WILDER]

Need more info on missing scales as they can mean a number of things, plus the bala sharks should not be in that size tank, what are your water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate, and ph, if there any fluffy area on the scales, or ed beneath the scales.

 

[Durbkat]

You also need to get 1 to 2 more female platys to even the ratio of 1 male per 2 to 3 females. You also most likley have a common pleco (suckerfish) and they need at least a 100g because they get from 18" up to 2 feet in length not counting the width of it. You will also need to return the birchir because look how big they get http/www.primitivefish.com/ZZPpolli1.JPG . The common pleco will also need returning.