Hurt bala shark...need help

[pumpkin girl]

Hello:

I need someones help figuring out what is wrong with my bala shark. Maybe someone has had a similar situation and can help me out.

I noticed my bala shark has what looks like an open sore on his nose. Part of his nose is missing and the hole is white. It has some of his skin hanging off of the area.

I think he might have hit it on the top of the tank when he does his jumps, but I don't know. I just want to make sure that it isn't some disease I need to treat. I have had him for a few years now and he is pretty big. I would hate to lose him. My kitten loves him so much.

Other than this his eyes seem to be really dark lately. Almost all black. I can't tell if he feels sick or if he is just mad at all the guppies swimming around the tank getting in his way.

If anyone has any ideas I would appreciate them.

I have looked at pictures of hole in the head and the sore on my bala's face looks nothing like the pictures I have found online.

 

[black angel]

If the fish is trying to jump out then the tank may be too small for him. How big is the tank and is there only one Bala as they like to be in groups?
It does sound like he is injuring it jumping, but you need to watch it doesnt get infected. Add some melafix to keep it clean and do plenty of water changes.

 

[pumpkin girl]

If the fish is trying to jump out then the tank may be too small for him. How big is the tank and is there only one Bala as they like to be in groups?
It does sound like he is injuring it jumping, but you need to watch it doesnt get infected. Add some melafix to keep it clean and do plenty of water changes.

[snapback]909065[/snapback]​

My bala shark is about 5 inches long. He is living in a 25 gallon tank. I have decided to give him back to the fish store, but I have to wait until his nose heals.


I want to keep him, but I can't afford to get a bigger tank right now.

He was doing fine until my guppy population got bigger. They started to have more and more babies the last couple of weeks and I think my bala has been feeling cramped up.

Besides guppies I have a pleco and a a cory cat.

Does anyone know if bala sharks have to get as big as 15 inches???

I used to have two bala sharks, but one of them got really sick and I had to put him to sleep. I miss the other one. So, my bala has been by himself for over a year.

If anyone has any ideas about how to keep my bala I would appreciate the adivce.

Thanks for your help black angel.

 

[black angel]

I'm afraid if you keep him in the tank then he will become stunted and i'm sure you dont want that. You can get condensation trays that might help stop him jumping so high out the water.
Good luck with him.

 

[emma12321]

when you have removed the bala, it would be good to get your cory some friends as they like to live in groups of 3 +

Emma