Silver Shark Parts Missing

[RWB]

HI GUYS AND GALS
ANYONE GIVE ME ANY ADVICE
I HAVE GOT 3 SILVER SHARKS IN A 36" TANK ALONG WTH A COUPLE OF SAILFIN MOLLIES,A PAIR OF 3 SPOT GOURAMIS,2 RAINBOW SHARKSAND A 4"PLEC. ALL HAVE LIVED HAPPILY TOGETHER FOR A WHILE BUT WHEN I WENT TO FEED THEM YESTERDAY 1 OF THE SILVER SHARKS HAD LOST BOTH TIPS OFF HIS TAIL AND A CHUNK OFF HIS FIN AROUND THESE AREAS WAS A VERY SLIGHT SIGN OF BLOOD BUT THE FISH SEEMS TO BE FINE TODAY AND SWIMMING O.K.
ANY IDEAS AS TO WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED AND HOW TO PREVENT IT HAPPENING AGAIN?
THANKS.

 

[Matty]

first of all, the silver shark, or the bala shark, needs a MUCH larger tank than that...like 4-5 times that size...
secondly, the bala is a very skittish and shy fish that is usually picked on by other more agressive tankmates...i would suggest that you move the fish quickly, preferably, to a larger home

 

[emma12321]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

The problem is mainly the size of the tank and the fact that you have 2 different types of shark. It will definately be the rainbows attacking the balas as they are territorial and it is generally recommended that you have 1 or 6+ for them to spread out the aggression.

Bala sharks grow 14 inches long and should be kept in groups in 100 gallon + tanks, Depending what type of plec you have it could grow 19 - 24 inches long if it is a common or sailfin. I would look into getting a much larger tank or rehoming a rainbow and the bala sharks.

Have a look in the fish index on the first page under red finned shark and bala shark for more information.

Emma

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I agree you need to get either a much larger tank or rehome some of your current fish, but in the mean time you could have some other issues that we need to make sure aern't going on, so...
a. how long has the tank been set up and how many gallons is it exactly?
b. how often and how do you go about tank maintanence on average?
c. do you use dechlorinator and do you have test kits for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates?
d. what do you feed your fish on average and how much/how often?