Silver Shark Going Crazy?

[danb]

Hi
I have a silver shark which is about 18 months old and about 5". In the last 2 months when anyone goes near the tank he goes crazy. Jumping out of the water shooting down into the sand. In the last 2 weeks when he has done this he has cracked his head and took skin off just about his mouth which looks really painful. Anything I can do to stop this happening?

 

[guppi]

Might be your tanks to small, what size do you have.?

 

[danb]

It's 180 litres

 

[Craig89]

Silver sharks are known jumpers but your tank is way to small I've been told they need at least a 5ft tank also they need to be kept in groups as they feel more secure. I'd suggest re homing or a bigger tank

 

[ArnieStinger]

they grow up to 1 ft dont they?

 

[danb]

I live in the #14### end of nowhere so re homing to someone who has a bigger tank isn't a possibility. I have a 240l tank with goldfish which I could change over, is it worth doing that? the 240l tank is 4ft. should I get him a friend?

 

[Craig89]

i still dont think it will be big enough, in the end you will stunt the growth of the shark is there not a LFS near by they would take him of your hands would be much kinder to the shark.

 

[Skins]

i still dont think it will be big enough, in the end you will stunt the growth of the shark is there not a LFS near by they would take him of your hands would be much kinder to the shark.

I agree. The silver shark can grow to a lengh of 40cm(FM a bit smaller)and is a shoaling fish which likes to be in groups of 4-5.

Keith.

 

[danb]

Okay my girlfriend thinks i am over exaggerating, we got a ruler out and measured him. His is, from nose to fin, around 10cm which is 4".

While i know sharks can grow big, i was misfed information when i got this shark 18 months ago. If i was to take it back to my local fish shop, pets at home, that would either A. Kill the fish B. They would sell it onto someone with a much smaller tank than myself.

So, the only option is for me to keep the shark and try to make him as comfortable as possible, will it make a difference me changing from the 3ft juwel vision 180 to my 4ft juwel 240 and getting him a friend?

 

[Craig89]

no will proberly just be as bad for them where abouts do you live ? advertise him on the classified section here im sure somebody will give him the home he needs.

 

[danb]

I live 120 miles west of Glasgow.

 

[Craig89]

All I'm saying is it will soon out grow the larger tank. I made the mistake of getting 2 when I had a smaller tank and mine both died, it's worth a shot advertising in the classified though if no success then i'd move to your larger tank but keep him advertised

 

[roadmaster]

Hi
I have a silver shark which is about 18 months old and about 5". In the last 2 months when anyone goes near the tank he goes crazy. Jumping out of the water shooting down into the sand. In the last 2 weeks when he has done this he has cracked his head and took skin off just about his mouth which looks really painful. Anything I can do to stop this happening?

Is what these fish do when stressed due to too small of tank with not enough swimming room.They often repeatedly run head long into the ends of the tank or bang their snouts on the top of the tank in an effort to escape.Is common for infection to then set in on damaged snouts, or head and fish slowly becomes weaker.(dies)
These fish need tanks in excess of 250 litres and also need to be in groups as mentioned above.
Would not subject another fish to same slow demise, so getting your fish a "friend " is not the answer.
Larger tank is the way forward.

 

[danb]

Unfortunately a larger tank, at this time, isn't possible. I am already living with my girlfriends parents as we are building our own house.

However. Other than pit the fish on the classified I can pop him into a 240l tank.

He does everything you said above, but it is only when I go near the tank

 

[roadmaster]

Unfortunately a larger tank, at this time, isn't possible. I am already living with my girlfriends parents as we are building our own house.

However. Other than pit the fish on the classified I can pop him into a 240l tank.

He does everything you said above, but it is only when I go near the tank

I see, well you could try lowering the temp slowly to around 74 -75 degrees F which will slow metabolisim of fish and maybe lower the light intensity as well.
Is also wise to place the tank where fish are not suddenly startled by someone entering the room if this should be the case.
Might also look to provide an area with a large piece of driftwood and perhaps some smooth river stones where fish can retire to if it feels threatened.
Course this could lead to the fish never leaving this area, but perhaps less physical damage will occur but as the fish get's larger,, same problem will persist.
these fish are really best suited for very large aquariums.