Bala shark problems

[Angel Lady]

all the readings are 0 my ph has been crashing but I really dont think this has nothing to do with the bala losing weight he is swimming with his tail up but not all the time could someone please kinda of let me know what to do the bala has had this problem for a little while somethims my fish act crazy but hes not acting

 

[MamaPish]

My pH has been crashing in my 55 gal too.......I have no clue as to why, I know nothing about balas...sorry I can't help.....u have helped me so much in the past.

If it is any help.......I am slowly bringing my pH up with "up", but only a small amount a day.
I currently have my 11 angels in 2 -10 gals w/ a pH of 7.6.....which is what it is out of the tap.....but I was using chemicals to bring mine down in the 55 gal.....and it went haywire and dropped to 6.2
My angels successfully spawned with 6 others in a 10 gal and a pH of 7.6....so I am going natural, just have to get the 55 gal there, I have it up to 6.8 now...so I am not going to add any more "up".....I will just continue to let it cycle, and as I do water changes.....it will make its way back up there.

Sorry I couldn't help with da fish

 

[Pufferpack]

What are you feeding him? I don't have any experience with Balas, but i know that when my Columbian Shark Cat started to lose weight I had to change his food (I was trying to feed flake only). Once I started feeding frozen bloodworms and frozen beefheart he began to gorge himself...he's a fat little booger now....still doesn't care for flake much though.

 

[CFC]

Probably because he is being kept alone and he is miserable,balas are shoal fish that must be kept in groups of 3 or more.

 

[Harmonic]

Ok fksam, I'm just now getting around to using this board, so I have no idea about your tank/s or keeping methods. I see you're a little frustrated by a lack of help, and if you can help me out, I can probably help you out.

I'm sure you've spelled it out many times already, but I need to know pretty much everything about your problem tank before I can give you any sound advice. If you're willing to lay it all out one more time I'm sure we can get you out of trouble. Basicly, list everything you know about the tank, and about your source water. Include what products you use on/in it too.

It might be a good idea to use the list as a signature untill you get things worked out.

 

[Angel Lady]

the bala shark is not alone he has another mate and the other mate is fine i am sorry to get so rude but I waited all evening for a reply and no one answered then when someone did come on here they answered a topic that had been on here for a couple of days that just made me mad after I have been worried sick over the fish and the same thing happened when my betta was sick i got one reply and on the ph thing over my black shark i got 6 replies and four of them were mine so you all take it from there.

 

[CFC]

What have you been feeding them? (sorry i thought you had only the one but it seems that so often (too often really) people only have one and then wonder why they get sick and listless) Balas need to eat quite a lot of live or frozen bloodworm which is what makes up the majority of their diet in the wild,and if fed on just flake and pellet foods get constipated,of which a sign is lethargic swimming in a head down position.Try feeding some live bloodworms for a few days and see if it makes a difference.

 

[Angel Lady]

thanks cat fish crazy the bala is doing better since i gave him the blood worms im sorry for getting so cross with people i was just so worried i get tore up real easy when it comes to my fish thanks again for your help.

 

[CFC]

Glad to hear hes feeling better,try to feed bloodworm at least every other day from now on and you will see a huge difference in both the balas health,they will both do some serious growing too.

 

[Angel Lady]

thanks for the help the balas both now are staring at now for food I took the one that was sick out and i feed him everyday till he starts looking better anyway if i shouldnt do this let me know I have a bigger problem than that now with my tap water I dont know what to do about it just yet what kind of tap water filter would you recommend

 

[Chunandler]

I have two balas. The first one was miserable until I got another a week later. They are very happy now and cahse each other all over.

 

[Angel Lady]

I sure think the balas are the most peaceful fish i have ever owned I am going to buy me two more i think they are so pretty I truly love sharks of all kinds I have one of just about every kind that money can buy the black shark is mean and also the rainbow and the are no words for the redtail but you have to love them all if you sit beside my tank for one day you would buy some to mine know me when i walk by they all caome to the corner and wait for me to sit by them the eat from my fingers I know that is hard to believe out of sharks but it is true I cant wait to get my camera back so I can send you guys some pictures of my fish and my cats to.

 

[cichlidmaster]

Glad to hear your bala's are doing better!!

Keep in mind if considering purchasing more, that bala's can reach sizes of 13" in the home aquarium and need plenty of swimming room.

CM

 

[Angel Lady]

Glad to hear your bala's are doing better!!

Keep in mind if considering purchasing more, that bala's can reach sizes of 13" in the home aquarium and need plenty of swimming room.

CM

i will for now they will go in the 55 but we are going to get a big tank real soon 120 gallons mabey bigger we are starting back on our apartment building( remodleing) so we should have the extra income real soon we might look at an even bigger one I want to make sure that I have one bigger enough to house all my sharks what would you recommend for keeping sharks I also have a irredecent shark I dont know why but I have a love for them I think they are cool I bought the irredecent one by mistake I didnt have a clue as to how big he really gets why dont you give my your input on this one.I have heard four or five different things when it comes to how big they really get I would like to hear it from someone who know what they are doing. The pet store told me they got 14 inches long is that true if it is I might have to take him back because it is going to be mabey 8 months before i can get the bigger tank.

 

[cichlidmaster]

Be happy to...............

The irridescent shark or Pangasius hypophthalmus (scientific name), but is better known as P. sutchi in the hobby is found in locations such as Viet Nam, Thailand, Laos and Kampuchea.

They are nervous fish when kept in aquariums and many times you will see deformaties of the nose due to ramming themselves into the side if the aquarium due to this nervousness.

They are best kept in shoals of at least 6, but their adult size of 1.3 meters (4ft + ) and weighing 15.5 kg (34 pounds) makes this all but impossible, and therefore makes them totally inappropriate for the home aquarium.

Irridescent sharks should not even be offered for the aquarium trade due to these facts.

Note* They are bred is Asia as a food fish in large ponds!!!

Hope this answered your question as to whether or not to take it back!! While it is doubltful yours will attain it's probable adult size, it will not be comfortable and therefore will be under constant stress.

CM