Suspected Sick Bala Shark

[Slaphppy7]

Yes

How long did the cycle take to complete?
How many times did you dose ammonia?
What kind of ammonia did you use?

 

[Slaphppy7]

Alot of this may be moot anyway, bala sharks can grow up to a foot in length, a 20G tank is much too small....look into rehoming the fish

My guess about the dorsal fin is either poor water quality or biting/nipping/aggression from the RTS; balas should be kept in groups, in very large tanks.

 

[tealover351]

How long did the cycle take to complete?
How many times did you dose ammonia?
What kind of ammonia did you use?

I used Dr. Tim’s ammonia, and I did about 3 drops per day. The cycle took about roughly 5 weeks to cycle.

 

[Slaphppy7]

I used Dr. Tim’s ammonia, and I did about 3 drops per day. The cycle took about roughly 5 weeks to cycle.

See above.

 

[tealover351]

Alot of this may be moot anyway, bala sharks can grow up to a foot in length, a 20G tank is much too small....look into rehoming the fish

My guess about the dorsal fin is either poor water quality or biting/nipping/aggression from the RTS; balas should be kept in groups, in very large tanks.

Okay I was gonna run to the petstore anyway today since I need to get dog food. I’ll look at the tanks while I’m there and once the new tank is ready I will get him so new friends. My quarantine tank is pretty large. It is about 75 gallons (it is my quarantine tank however since it was older than my new one) he’s in there now, thank you for all the help.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Read this carefully if you are going to keep the bala: https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/balantiocheilos-melanopterus/

 

[Colin_T]

The fish has an infection on the back and fin. You can try salt or a broad spectrum medication that treats bacteria, fungus and protozoan infections.

Use 1-2 heaped tablespoons of rock salt per 20 litres of tank water. Keep salt in there for 2-4 weeks.

 

[tealover351]

The fish has an infection on the back and fin. You can try salt or a broad spectrum medication that treats bacteria, fungus and protozoan infections.

Use 1-2 heaped tablespoons of rock salt per 20 litres of tank water. Keep salt in there for 2-4 weeks.

Okay thank you. I picked up some salt yesterday and began to treat him, he is beginning to look lightly better and is swimming and eating again. His swimming is still a little unbalanced, but that is understandable considering he did lose quite a big fin.

 

[tealover351]

He’s doing much much better. He’s swimming normal and actively again. I have found him a 125 gallon tank that is perfect. When he is all better I’m gonna transfer him over and get him so other balas to live with. Once again, thanks everyone for the help!