Silver Bala Sharks - Fighting?

[peesa]

Hi my two bala's are showing some weird behaviour, they keep rubbing against each other moving around the tank sort of stuck together in a rubbing motion. I;ve also notice as they are doing this they suck on each others bodies or gills for a short time like a nip then continue to rub against each other.

What are they doing?? Are they fighting??

What should I do?>

 

[WILDER]

Not sure never kept bala sharks, how big is the tank, are they flicking and rubbing against objects, or laboured breathing, have you added any new fish or plants to the tank lately.
Check there bodies for excess mucas on grains of salt on the fish.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=65390

 

[peesa]

Thanks Wilder

No flicking or rubbing against objects just each other. and no laboured breathing no new fish or plants recently either. tank has been set up in its current state for sometime now.

No mucas either so after reading the posts on the link you mentiioned i think I may just put it down to playing with each other just now and monitor for any further concerns thanks

I know they are really placid fish and they dont annoy any of my smaller fishes so they must just be playing with each other.

 

[WILDER]

Probably just playing then, good luck.

 

[digimac]

Mine do that too, its because they are really meant obe kept in shoals.
Ive only got two aswell. The bigger one usually starts on the smaller one.
Never do each other any damage....think its a dominance thing

 

[Nina]

Sounds like normal bala behaviour to me.

Ours do the same thing usually once they have eaten and then they start to play and chase each other up and down the tank.

We have a range of sizes between 3" and 9" and they all play with each. I don't think size matters.

 

[peesa]

yeh i thought that - i think if there was another one or more this wouldn't be so noticable.
I think due to their only being do its a dominance thing as you said.

Thanks god as i dont know where id put one if i had to seperate them...in the bath! lol

 

[Nina]

Have just noticed the size tank that they are in (if your sig is correct)

You will need to upgrade that as sharks are fast swimming fish and need a lot of room. I would recommend that the minimum you will need for them is a 6x2x2.

Sorry if you have already said elsewhere that you will be upgrading but if you haven't then you will need to consider this

 

[peesa]

yeh im aware of this everytime i mention these guys its mentioned dont worry we are currently in process of getting a larger tank and these guys are going to be the first resisdents

 

[Nina]

Excellent.

I didn't know if you had been told elsewhere (I was too lazy to go look).

If you can when you get the bigger tank, providing you have the room for them you could try and get some more. They are lovely fish and in a group they are even better.