Help with silver shark

[Aitch]

I've just noticed the silver shark we're had for nearly a year is swimming on his back. He's not been looking happy since the weekend when we added another silver shark and five mollies to the tank. We were worried he might be bullying other fish although never saw any evidence of this, so were advised to get him a pal so they were too busy checking each other out to worry about the other fish.
There are no signs of disease on him, but what can I do to help him? I'll be so upset if he dies as hes grown into a beautiful fish . . .

 

[fish&chips]

1 thing do you have a huge tank

bala sharks aka silver shark grow t o1 half foot long each and i have seen a 2 footer

if tank isnt real big mite be unhappy and stressed

also have you tested your tank for chemicals p.h nitrite nitrate amonia these things

how long tank been going ?

 

[Aitch]

No the tank is only 20 gallons, but the fish is only about 2 inches long. Have checked temp, nitrate, ammonia and ph - all are fine. Have had the tank nearly a year and did fishless cycling to set it up originally.

 

[CFC]

You've had a silver/bala shark for a year and it is only 2" long !!!!! Have you been feeding your fish ? Bala sharks normally reach at least 6" within the first year and usually bigger.

Do you feed any live foods? All fish need live or good quallity frozen foods at least once a week to help clean out their digestive tracts, your fish could be constipated which would cause the unnatural swimming movement. Try feeding some live bloodworms or daphnia (water fleas) and see if it sorts the problem out.