Bala Shark

[Jesse]

I have a bala shark that I am a little worried about. He used to swim around at least a little bit, but now he just seems to sit in one place. Right on top of his head, his scales seem to be turning darker, kind of black. Is he supposed to do that? Also, with him, a Red Tail Shark, a Chinese Algae eater, and a Knight Goby, how long should I leave the tank light on? Should I leave it on all of the time? It kind of seems to affect the Red Tail.

 

[CFC]

Bala sharks are shoal fish that should be kept in groups of at least 3 to remain happy.What size is your tank?These fish can grow to 13" and shouldn't be kept in anything smaller than 55g.Also you say you have a Knight gobie,these are brackish fish which although can tolerate freshwater(provided it is reasonably hard)for a period of time they prefer 2-4 tablespoons of salt for every 5g(20l)of water and will become lethargic without it.

 

[Gibbo]

Don't have the light on all the time, it will stress the fish!! Have it on for between 9 and 12 hours a day. They need to rest just like us. As CFC stated, the Knight Goby will most likely suffer in the long run... return it to shop and try them again some other time when you can set up a proper brackish tank for them. Make sure the RTBS and the CAE have hiding places they can call home. If your tank is not big enough for shoal of Balas then take him back as well and get some other Cyprinids such as Rosy Barbs or Tiger Barbs, about half a dozen would be good. Although a bit nippy they shouldn't bother the bottom feeders at all