Bullying Bala Shark

[colliefish]

hi guys n gals,

I wasn't sure where to put this question so it has landed here.

I have a 400 L tank which was quite peaceful.
Now one of my two bala sharks has become aggressive. he chases the other bala and for a lot of the time keeps it hiding behind bog wood or plants. It also chases my black widow tetras and blue dwarf guarami's.

It used to get on well with the other shark and they would always be together rubbing against each other.
The bully has become larger than the other being about 7 inches. I know this is about the size that they become mature enough to breed, but didn't think this would be a problem as it doesn't happen in captivity.

If i found a home for the bully would it be cruel to keep the other on its own.
Many thanks for any help you can offer.
Cheers
Colliefish

 

[WILDER]

Yes you can't keep a bala shark on it's own, is there enough room in the tank to add another 2 bala sharks.

 

[WILDER]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=123786

 

[Ginge]

He said he has two. But still you shouldnt keep two together as they prefere to be in groups.

 

[andywg]

I have never known a bala to bully. They can become restless in tanks that are too short (anything less than 6 foot is cruel to this fast swimming fish) and this may look like he is chasing other fish.

They NEED to be in groups, and really need a group of at least 5 or 6 (more is better). Every time I have added more sharks, they have settled more and become far more interactive with each other. The shoal is now at 8 and they are looking better than ever.

 

[colliefish]

hi,

sorry about the late reply, my computer has been down.

The tank is 5 feet long, 20 inches wide and 2 feet deep. It is being filtered by the large filter that comes inside juwel tanks and i also have a fluval 404 running.

If i were to add another 1 or 2 bala's, would the tank be substancial enough to cope as they are big fish and require a lot of room. also would i need to hunt down fish of a similar size or could i buy smaller ones.
my worry is that the bully would then spread his aggression, this would give the bala's a break but is still not what you want to see in an aquarium,

Thanks for all the advice.
Cheers
Colliefish

 

[andywg]

Should definately get a couple more, the more you add the better the behaviour they exhibit. You should have enough filtration, though I would rip out the jewel box and get another decent external.

I myself wouldn't be happy with keeping them in a 5 foot tank, but that's just because of how they like to swim inbursts, and now mine are approaching 10", the 6 foot looks a little short.

 

[colliefish]

hi andywg

thanks for your help, I am not sure if buying more fish is the way to go as i dont have room for a bigger tank and more fish getting to the 10" mark would dominate the 5' tank too much.
another possible option i have is to ask a friend of a friend if they want them. They have a 6' tank with 2 bala sharks that are of similar size.

another option is something i read for other species (discuss i think). Take the bully out and put him in another tank (which i have). leave him there for a couple of weeks, in this time the less dominant fish will see the tank as his space and when the bully is put back in he will be the new fish.
what do you think
Cheers

 

[andywg]

I wouldn't know. I have never seen anything that I could call bullying behaviour in balas. I have seen some play (usually after eating) with chasing around the tank and pretend nipping of the flanks, but never actual bullying.