Bala/silver Shark

[FiremanSam]

G'day All,

Can any one tell me whether Bala sharks are territorial, I had 2 but I'm now down to one. They were both there in the morning and when I came home in the evening one had gone completely.

It's tank mates in a 150 litre tank 90cm x 36cm x 50cm (I know I have already been told the tank is to small for bala sharks, I am trying to find alternate accommodation.) are as follows.....

7 x Guppies
6 x Scissortail
1 x Bristlenose Catfish
1 x Bala Shark (There use to be two.)

I have not been able to find the body anywhere I have even checked the filter.

PH is with in range so is nitrate and nitrite.

All help appreciated

 

[mr williams]

Mine are quite skittish, do you have a tight fitting lid? Maybe its jumped out.....

 

[raptorrex]

mine is not that territorial, seem like a peaceful fish. it may be worth checking that the fish is not caught in the lights of your tank. as mr williams states the can jump.

 

[mr williams]

I lost on of mine once during the water change, i found him inside the box of the internal filter. But you have already checked there right?

 

[PrettyDiscus]

I find them very agressive. I have two and they constantly chase and nip each other. I hate them cant wait to give them away. They wont even let me clean the algae off the tank without jumping out .Lol

 

[raptorrex]

I find them very agressive. I have two and they constantly chase and nip each other. I hate them cant wait to give them away. They wont even let me clean the algae off the tank without jumping out .Lol

where are you? i know of many people who would love to take them off your hands.

 

[OohFeeshy]

They're schooling fish- two will fight, the same as if you keep two tetras.

 

[erk628]

They're schooling fish- two will fight, the same as if you keep two tetras.

I have two Bala's and they never fight. I guess it just depends.

 

[Betta5]

I also have 2 balas. bout 3inches and they dont fight at all

 

[PrettyDiscus]

I find them very agressive. I have two and they constantly chase and nip each other. I hate them cant wait to give them away. They wont even let me clean the algae off the tank without jumping out .Lol

where are you? i know of many people who would love to take them off your hands.

I live in Wales. Although, i dont want to ship them. I also have 4 clown loaches.

 

[ox5477]

Bala's are peacefull schooling fish and is recommened that you keep atleast 5 to 6 together and thus require a large tank, atleast 120USG+. This alone deters soem people. They will jump but if you are gentle with your movements then they will be fine. I have had my 6" bala swim up and hit his head on the lid a couple times and it sounded like someone hit it with a hammer....... anyways, just like any other animal, you have to know their behavioral habits and preferences to give them a happy life. If you want them to do what you want them too.... then your just gonna get frustrated.

O ya, back to your query.....check behind the stand or any other furniture near the tank. If you can't find the body then it prob jumped out and is dried up behind a piece of furniture If you don't find it on the floor, then take all of your tank decorations out, as it may have darted to run away from something and got lodged under a rock or other decoration and may be now dead. If you leave it will nuke your tank with a lethal dose of ammonia as the body decays (depending on how big the tank is compared to the size of the fish). But still... I wouldnt want a dead fish in one of my tanks.

 

[FiremanSam]

I have searched absolutely everywhere for the missing shark and have not been able to find it. Is it possible that he has been eaten?

I have checked my ammonia, nitrate and my nitrite level and they all within acceptable ranges, but I have decided to do a few extra water changes for a couple of weeks just to be on the safe side. So since they are shoaling fish is it cruel to keep just one and should I try and get a credit for it at the LFS.

I just notice something really weird, my lone Bala shark seems to have started to shoal with my scissortails, is this possible should it be happening?

 

[pacuboy]

It could be possible. I think it is because your bala shark is lonely and wants some more of his own spieces. I would add some more bala sharks to your tank maybe like 2 or3.

 

[HODDY]

i think keeping them in odd numbers works,Dunno why but seems better for me.

 

[raptorrex]

It could be possible. I think it is because your bala shark is lonely and wants some more of his own spieces. I would add some more bala sharks to your tank maybe like 2 or3.

think you may find that the tank is too small for the bala, especially three. these fish need swimming room. mine is in a 180ltr, its only 4" but the tank is too small now, imo