Bala shark being a bully help

[Nicoleghibli]

Hi there ! I have only 2 bala sharks (which I didn’t know was a problem 2 years ago when I started my tank) and I changed the decorations in their tank yesterday and ever since then the smaller shark has been bullying the bigger one! I do feel like the bigger one is acting a little strange kind of staying in one spot and not doing his usual cruising around the tank stuff. I caught the smaller one and have it in a catching net still in the same tank just kind of in time out cause I don’t know what to do! He will swim the other guy into the sides of the tank and nip at him constantly. They have always gotten along really welll even just being the 2. Not sure what to do! The only other tank I have has a convict cichlid in it so I can’t put him in there. Any advice would be much appreciated because I can’t stand the watch my poor buddy get bullied around like that.

 

[Rocky998]

How big is the aquarium and do you know the sex of the Bala Sharks?

 

[Nicoleghibli]

How big is the aquarium and do you know the sex of the Bala Sharks?

It is a 55 gallon and I’m pretty positive they are both girls. One is probably 5 inches the other 6 inches !

 

[Nicoleghibli]

How big is the aquarium and do you know the sex of the Bala Sharks?

 

[Rocky998]

Ok. So here is what I think the issue is.
Bala sharks live in groups. And there is always a hierarchy like a pack of wolves.
With Bala Sharks needing a minimum of 110 gallons (yes one hundred ten gallons) and them needing a group there are bound to be issues with aggression in a "small" aquarium with only two. They will constantly be aggressive to eachother trying to be the alpha.
Even if they are females, they can still be aggressors.

 

[Nicoleghibli]

Ok. So here is what I think the issue is.
Bala sharks live in groups. And there is always a hierarchy like a pack of wolves.
With Bala Sharks needing a minimum of 110 gallons (yes one hundred ten gallons) and them needing a group there are bound to be issues with aggression in a "small" aquarium with only two. They will constantly be aggressive to eachother trying to be the alpha.
Even if they are females, they can still be aggressors.

Thank you for the quick reply !! Oh my goodness I had no idea they needed that much room!!!! I’m not really sure what to do now for them to be happy.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Welcome to TFF

You are aware that these fish will reach around a foot long when fully grown, and need a much larger tank, correct? 8 foot tank, minimum

I would advise rehoming both of them

 

[Rocky998]

Thank you for the quick reply !! Oh my goodness I had no idea they needed that much room!!!! I’m not really sure what to do now for them to be happy.

No problem!
Your best bet for their absolute well-being is to rehome them to someone who can provide them with the proper care.
Or set up a 110g aquarium and get more for the group. But that's a lot of money and a lot of work

 

[Nicoleghibli]

Welcome to TFF

You are aware that these fish will reach around a foot long when fully grown, and need a much larger tank, correct? 8 foot tank, minimum

I would advise rehoming both of them

I didn’t know that but I do now! Oh my goodness I may have to re home them sadly. I’m not sure I have any other option considering I cannot get an 8 foot tank! Thank you for the insight I appreciate it!

 

[Slaphppy7]

More than welcome, I hope the rehoming is a success

Balantiocheilos melanopterus – Silver Shark (Barbus melanopterus) — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com

 

[Rocky998]

You can always sell them off so it's not a total loss and you get kinda reimbursed for any funds lost in buying them... There are aquarists who will pay nicely for grown fish like Bala Sharks.

And just so you know, there are TONS of options for a 55g. That is a great sized tank. Just not for really large fish like those.

 

[Byron]

I completely agree, both "sharks" should be re-homed ASAP.

Other members have correctly commented on this fish being a shoaling species requiring a group of preferably ten (or more), which requires a very large aquarium. You are frankly lucky that they have got along basically until now; this is not often the case when there are two few of them, something that applies to most shoaling species.

They both need to go, because leaving just one of them will aggravate this problem, and the lone bala would most likely very soon tear into the angelfish.

 

[Nicoleghibli]

I completely agree, both "sharks" should be re-homed ASAP.

Other members have correctly commented on this fish being a shoaling species requiring a group of preferably ten (or more), which requires a very large aquarium. You are frankly lucky that they have got along basically until now; this is not often the case when there are two few of them, something that applies to most shoaling species.

They both need to go, because leaving just one of them will aggravate this problem, and the lone bala would most likely very soon tear into the angelfish.

Thank you!! I actually just dropped them off at a local fish store that said they will take them !!!

 

[Rocky998]

Thank you!! I actually just dropped them off at a local fish store that said they will take them !!!

I'm sorry you had to let them go but that was very responsible of you to do that! Good on you Nicole!

 

[Nicoleghibli]

I'm sorry you had to let them go but that was very responsible of you to do that! Good on you Nicole!

Aw thank you so much !! I appreciate that! I hope they find a great home thank you a lot for the advice !