Silver Shark

[carolkerrigan]

My beautiful silver shark appears to be dying. He was swimming upside down. I have taken him out of of the tank a couple of hours ago and separated him and now he seems to be rallying. I am worried he won't recover although he appears to be now swimming properly. Any suggestions

 

[swanseastilo]

What size tank do you have?
have you tested your water??
what else is in your tank??

 

[carolkerrigan]

I have a 95lt tank and I do regular tests and they are normal. I have had ths shark (and other fish such as a catfish, a plec , rummy nosed tetras and other tetras, gouramis and a loach) for about three years and he has always beeen healthy as have my other fish. The only thing I can think of is my other shark is bullying him

 

[swanseastilo]

Are you serious that you have all these in that 95l tank???

Im not gona say much but you need to re-home your sharks.. They are way to big for your tank

What gouramis what plec.

what other shark is it??

what other shark is it??

 

[carolkerrigan]

Two small rummy nosed tetras, 1 small loach, 1 catfish, 5 small silver tetras, 5 red eyed tetras, 1 small plec 3" long and two gouramis plus my two sharks - don't think this is too many for my tank

 

[swanseastilo]

ur tanks about 2ft the silver shark need about 6ft tank as it grows to about 12 inch.

what plec is it and what catfish???
and what gourami theres diffrent goruamis and plecs.

 

[carolkerrigan]

My tank is about three foot and my pakistani loach is about three inches. My big shark is about 7 inches and the ailing is about four inches. I have had these sharks from small. Apart from my catfish and plec the three largest fish are about 1.5 inches each.

 

[swanseastilo]

Im not gona say much more ill wait till a more experianced member comes along to tell u ur tank is to small and why.

 

[dbanner]

Swanseastilo is correct. Silver sharks need a tank of around 6 foot. Even though your shark is 7 inches at the moment the size of him/her is not the biggest concern. Silver sharks (also known as Bala sharks) need to be in groups of at least 6 and they (if given the correct tank/space) are very active and quick swimmers. They can cover the length of even a 6 foot tank very quickly. Not only this but with that amount of fish in a tank as small as yours will be leaving a lot of waste and you would need a very good external filter or even 2 of them to deal with the waste. Finally your shark may also only be 7 inches because it could be and most probably is stunted. In other words the fish itself stops growing on the outside but it's organs and so on on the inside continue growing causing a long and painful death (eventually) for the fish due to being in a tank that is far too small to accommodate its needs. I'd re home him if he pulls through

 

[onidrase]

too many silver sharks out there to pinpoint which you're talking about

Bala sharks: Should be kept in groups of 6 or more, in massive aquariums due to their activity and size, a good 9 feet long or so would be most ideal.

Columbian Sharks: This is the one I was thinking you were talking about, in which they grow to be a good few feet long and prefer more brackish to even marine conditions, in which your ailing shark might be dying from the lack of salt in the aquarium, they don't tend to last very long in fresh water.

Pengasius Catfish: can get well into the 4 foot long area, really shouldn't be in trade for obvious reasons.

Whatever it is, chances are it's dying of discomfort or has had its lifespan reduced significantly from growth stunting. A picture for identification purposes would be appreciated.

 

[pirate monkey]

In other words the fish itself stops growing on the outside but it's organs and so on on the inside continue growing causing a long and painful death (eventually) for the fish

Fish may be stunted but I'm yet to see any evidence of this statement about organ growth, happy for anyone to prove otherwise though

To the OP: it is advisable to research the specific requirements of the fish you own/wish to own and provide them with tanks large enough to accommodate their adult size and tank mates if they need to be kept in groups etc. Please post a pic for ID and find out what is best for them.

As for your sick shark firstly lots of water changes will help it to get better, but if it needs a larger tank then please upgrade or rehome.

And don't worry too much I'm sure most people here have owned a completely unsuitable fish at one time or another

EDIT: to make my comment clearer

 

[swanseastilo]

In other words the fish itself stops growing on the outside but it's organs and so on on the inside continue growing causing a long and painful death (eventually) for the fish

And don't worry too much I'm sure most people here have owned a completely unsuitable fish at one time or another

Uhh no i have never had 2 angel fish in a 70L tank before.

 

[dbanner]

In other words the fish itself stops growing on the outside but it's organs and so on on the inside continue growing causing a long and painful death (eventually) for the fish

And don't worry too much I'm sure most people here have owned a completely unsuitable fish at one time or another

Uhh no i have never had 2 angel fish in a 70L tank before.

Nope can't say I have either. Always research 1st to save trouble later on

 

[pirate monkey]

Uhh no i have never had 2 angel fish in a 70L tank before.

Sorry I don't get the reference...

 

[Louiseness]

Fish may be stunted but I'm yet to see any evidence of this, happy for anyone to prove otherwise though

Granted these aren't silver sharks but there is a great thread here showing the different between goldfish kept in a small tank/bowl and an appropriately-sized tank.