Suspected Sick Bala Shark

tealover351

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I have an issue with my bala shark and I believe he is sick. He is currently in a 20 gallon tank with a black red finned shark. I will be upgrading this tank soon to a 37 gallon for the both of them. My black red finned shark is doing fine he is eating and everything. My bala shark had been eating fine for the past few days and then yesterday and today he wouldn’t eat anything. I also noticed his top fin looked like it was ripped off and I couldn’t find it anywhere. He hasn’t been swimming as much as well. I suspected fin rot but wasn’t sure because I checked the water and everything was good, nitrites, nitrates, pH, etc. I did a 25 percent water change, vacuumed the gravel well, and replaced the filter cartilage today as well but just was wondering if it is indeed fin rot if there is anything else I can do. If the information is needed my tank has a heater and is currently at 76 degree F. It has live plants, an air pump and stone, as well as a large filter. I also just recently got these fish about a week ago. Please help!
 

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Hmmm, I can't really tell if it's fin rot from your photo. If it was, it wouldn't have happened overnight. This would've been a gradual process. If all of a sudden he was just missing a fin I'd say another fish in your tank took it, or he got hurt on some sharp decor. It would make sense that you couldn't find it, even if it were ripped off by another fish or decor; they could've eaten it or torn it to teeny tiny pieces. If I were you, I'd isolate him and treat him with aquarium salt and frequent water changes. The salt will help keep the wound from getting infected. Can you list what other fish you have in the tank? Or is it just the two? Is there any aggression between them or any sharp items in the tank?

Judging by your plan to upgrade your tank, I assume you're aware of how big these fish get. A full-grown Bala will need 125 or 150 gallons or something like that (though I've never kept them) so keep in mind you may have to rehome as he grows.
 
Hmmm, I can't really tell if it's fin rot from your photo. If it was, it wouldn't have happened overnight. This would've been a gradual process. If all of a sudden he was just missing a fin I'd say another fish in your tank took it, or he got hurt on some sharp decor. It would make sense that you couldn't find it, even if it were ripped off by another fish or decor; they could've eaten it or torn it to teeny tiny pieces. If I were you, I'd isolate him and treat him with aquarium salt and frequent water changes. The salt will help keep the wound from getting infected. Can you list what other fish you have in the tank? Or is it just the two? Is there any aggression between them or any sharp items in the tank?

Judging by your plan to upgrade your tank, I assume you're aware of how big these fish get. A full-grown Bala will need 125 or 150 gallons or something like that (though I've never kept them) so keep in mind you may have to rehome as he grows.
yes, we need a better photo
 
Hmmm, I can't really tell if it's fin rot from your photo. If it was, it wouldn't have happened overnight. This would've been a gradual process. If all of a sudden he was just missing a fin I'd say another fish in your tank took it, or he got hurt on some sharp decor. It would make sense that you couldn't find it, even if it were ripped off by another fish or decor; they could've eaten it or torn it to teeny tiny pieces. If I were you, I'd isolate him and treat him with aquarium salt and frequent water changes. The salt will help keep the wound from getting infected. Can you list what other fish you have in the tank? Or is it just the two? Is there any aggression between them or any sharp items in the tank?

Judging by your plan to upgrade your tank, I assume you're aware of how big these fish get. A full-grown Bala will need 125 or 150 gallons or something like that (though I've never kept them) so keep in mind you may have to rehome as he grows.
Ok thank you! I was planning on upgrading with him as he grows. I will move him into my quarantine tank. Those two are the only two in there and they get along very well, I have never seen them nip or chase each other.
 
Here are some more photos of him.
 

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You don't list ammonia in your params.

What are your readings for ammonia, nitrIte, and nitrAte, using a liquid test kit?
 
Sorry about forgetting ammonia, that is at 0 as well. Nitrite and nitrate are also at 0 and I am using a liquid test kit.
 
it looks more like a heater burn or scrape....
 
How often do you perform water changes?

Why did you change the filter cartridge?

What test kit do you use? Check the expiry date
 
I preform water changes every two weeks at a 25 percent change. The water I put in I treat and let sit for a few days before testing it and then if it is all good I put it in the tank. I changed the filter because it had been in the tank for about a month so it was time for a new one.
How often do you perform water changes?

Why did you change the filter cartridge?
 
it looks more like a heater burn or scrape....
Is there anyway to help with that? Like getting a better heater. I had got the tank for Christmas and it came with a filter, heater, and thermometer.
 
I preform water changes every two weeks at a 25 percent change. The water I put in I treat and let sit for a few days before testing it and then if it is all good I put it in the tank. I changed the filter because it had been in the tank for about a month so it was time for a new one.
Never change the cartridge in a tank that is not at least 6 months old, regardless of what the shop people or filter manufacturer suggests...you are trying to grow beneficial bacteria on that cartridge to detoxify the water of the fish's waste....if you replace it, you start all over again

How long has the tank been set up? Did you cycle the tank before adding fish?...again, what kind of test kit are you using? What kind of water conditioner?
 
Never change the cartridge in a tank that is not at least 6 months old, regardless of what the shop people or filter manufacturer suggests...you are trying to grow beneficial bacteria on that cartridge to detoxify the water of the fish's waste....if you replace it, you start all over again

How long has the tank been set up? Did you cycle the tank before adding fish?...again, what kind of test kit are you using?
My tank has been cycling for about 12 weeks. I set it up in January with no new fish in it and the test kit I use is the API Freshwater Master test kit.
 
My tank has been cycling for about 12 weeks. I set it up in January with no new fish in it and the test kit I use is the API Freshwater Master test kit.
You did a fishless cycle, adding pure ammonia?
 

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