HI there I,m new to fish keeping my tank is the JUWEL RIO 180..I have at the moment 3 silver sharks and 3 sucking loach I have a new filter and heater system all in place and I have checked for the PH level and it all checked out fine and the temp is right if you can take reading as correct...? My question is this for some time now the shark,s have not come away from one end of the tank...they do go up now and again but very quickly go back to the end...!!! the loach swim happily all over the tank...!! we have had them all now for about 4 weeks all came from our local fish shop...I would just like to know if it me..? or the fish...? or something more...all are feeding and seem happy..? hope you can help with this and look forward to any help and advice you can send my way......ps what other fish would I be able to put with these...THANK,S PINKY123
Why Are My Sharks Swimming Up And Down The Sides?
- Thread starter pinky123
- Start date
As you are new over here, I would like to welcome you to this great forum.
At first I need to tell you that the silver sharks (Balantiocheilus malanopterus) require a lot of space. They should be active fish reaching up to a length of 35 cm (about 12" I guess). So This would mean that your tank is way too small. I would recommend a tank of at least 2 meters long.
Secondly, do I want to ask you whether you properly cycled you tank or not? And I would like to know what the actual parameters are.
Did you also decorate your tank with enough places to hide?
At first I need to tell you that the silver sharks (Balantiocheilus malanopterus) require a lot of space. They should be active fish reaching up to a length of 35 cm (about 12" I guess). So This would mean that your tank is way too small. I would recommend a tank of at least 2 meters long.
Secondly, do I want to ask you whether you properly cycled you tank or not? And I would like to know what the actual parameters are.
Did you also decorate your tank with enough places to hide?
Hi there Bubbelzzz
Thanks for getting back so fast...we did have the tank up and running for a week before getting any fish....I take it you need the size of the tank...it is 39 and a half inches long.....15 and half inches deep....20 inches depth.. it stated in the book that it was a 180 liter tank.....I know that at the end of the day I suppose we should have asked more question at the shop but should the they have told us about this before selling them to us I do remember he did ask me what size tank I had....? and he did say that we should only have 3...? we do have some stuff in the tank but I must admit not a lot of places at the moment to hide....? I would just like to say at this point that this fish keeping is full of different points of view and information...? the site we have been on about this all state apposing information some site say that I have a big enough tank, some say like yourself it is too small...some say that these fish don't get on with others...others say that these can grow up to as much as 15 inches or has you state 12 inches...? I can even remember on one site that the fish grows to the size of your tank......!! I know that any thing to do with any animals that people all different views...so who should one take notice of......any way I do hope that you can help me in this..or is it to late....? yours PINKY123
Thanks for getting back so fast...we did have the tank up and running for a week before getting any fish....I take it you need the size of the tank...it is 39 and a half inches long.....15 and half inches deep....20 inches depth.. it stated in the book that it was a 180 liter tank.....I know that at the end of the day I suppose we should have asked more question at the shop but should the they have told us about this before selling them to us I do remember he did ask me what size tank I had....? and he did say that we should only have 3...? we do have some stuff in the tank but I must admit not a lot of places at the moment to hide....? I would just like to say at this point that this fish keeping is full of different points of view and information...? the site we have been on about this all state apposing information some site say that I have a big enough tank, some say like yourself it is too small...some say that these fish don't get on with others...others say that these can grow up to as much as 15 inches or has you state 12 inches...? I can even remember on one site that the fish grows to the size of your tank......!! I know that any thing to do with any animals that people all different views...so who should one take notice of......any way I do hope that you can help me in this..or is it to late....? yours PINKY123
First of all, it's a good thing that you ask this. Generally, I would say that experience is rather important for deciding which fish will fit in which tank. Over time you'll learn this out of your own experience.
Secondly do I have to warn you. Never, ever rely on the advise of your LFS. They are often incorrect and will almost always tell you that it's ok to buy. So always do research upfront. This brings us to the problem of differences in information on the internet. This can indeed be pretty hard. However, if you read on multiple sources you can find the basic ideas of this fish. On some points do most of the sources agree.
Try to find certain sites that are reliable. There are a lot of them and most will pop at the top 5 of a search on google.
Your fish will indeed become about 12 to 15 inches long. The exact length might differ a bit since not every fish of the same species will grow to the same size. Just like that people differ in length, so do fish species. So take it as a guideline. This means that, in my opinion. Your fish will become too big for your tank.
As you mentioned there are some people that think that fish will grow to the size of the tank. This might be partially true. They will reach a slightly smaller size but will still grow substantially.
f a fish is too small, it is mainly a sign of improper care. So, the wrong or not enough food, bad filtration, wrong water parameters etc. This also implies that if you ever see a fish that is too small, you can bet on it that it isn't healthy and will die very young. They will get ill much easier and are much often bullied by other fish.
So always make sure you can be sure that you can take care for it properly before you buy an animal.
I think it would be best to sell your fish or buy a bigger tank. This will reduce the stress levels for these fish. Furthermore, will decoration help. It might sound very strange at first but for most fish. The more hiding places the more often you will see them.
If you want to buy fish again and you are not entirely sure if you can keep them in your tank, you can always ask this on the forum.
Secondly do I have to warn you. Never, ever rely on the advise of your LFS. They are often incorrect and will almost always tell you that it's ok to buy. So always do research upfront. This brings us to the problem of differences in information on the internet. This can indeed be pretty hard. However, if you read on multiple sources you can find the basic ideas of this fish. On some points do most of the sources agree.
Try to find certain sites that are reliable. There are a lot of them and most will pop at the top 5 of a search on google.
Your fish will indeed become about 12 to 15 inches long. The exact length might differ a bit since not every fish of the same species will grow to the same size. Just like that people differ in length, so do fish species. So take it as a guideline. This means that, in my opinion. Your fish will become too big for your tank.
As you mentioned there are some people that think that fish will grow to the size of the tank. This might be partially true. They will reach a slightly smaller size but will still grow substantially.
f a fish is too small, it is mainly a sign of improper care. So, the wrong or not enough food, bad filtration, wrong water parameters etc. This also implies that if you ever see a fish that is too small, you can bet on it that it isn't healthy and will die very young. They will get ill much easier and are much often bullied by other fish.
So always make sure you can be sure that you can take care for it properly before you buy an animal.
I think it would be best to sell your fish or buy a bigger tank. This will reduce the stress levels for these fish. Furthermore, will decoration help. It might sound very strange at first but for most fish. The more hiding places the more often you will see them.
If you want to buy fish again and you are not entirely sure if you can keep them in your tank, you can always ask this on the forum.
pinky123 said:
Presumably, that site also advised that the world is flat, and to watch out for the Loch Ness Monster when in Scotland.
To the lock man
I WOULD JUST TO SAY THIS, I FIND YOUR COMMENT BOTH OFFENSIVE AND A BIT CONDESCENDING IT MAKE ME LOOK STUPID AND GULLIBLE....HAS MOST PEOPLE KNOW THE INTERNET IS FULL OF SO CALLED EXPERT AND EVERY SITE GIVE,S DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW...WHEN I POSTED I WAS MERELY PASSING ON WHAT I HAVE READ AND ALSO WHAT PEOPLE HAD PASSED ON IF YOU READ MY POST I THINK YOU WILL SEE THAT I DID NOT AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT.....I WAS JUST ASKING THE QUESTION....!! TO PUT YOUR MIND AS REST I,M CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR A BIGGER TANK I KNOW THAT THIS IS WHAT MUST HAPPEN AT SOME STAGE...I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY AT THIS POINT THAT ME AND MY PARTNER HAVE ALWAYS HAD ANIMALS FOR MANY YEARS AND WE WOULD NEVER,NEVER PUT ANY ANIMAL AT RISK....!!!!!
AND IF THE WORST HAPPENS AND I CAN NOT GET A BIGGER TANK THEN I WILL PASS ON THE FISH......PINKY123....!!!
I WOULD JUST TO SAY THIS, I FIND YOUR COMMENT BOTH OFFENSIVE AND A BIT CONDESCENDING IT MAKE ME LOOK STUPID AND GULLIBLE....HAS MOST PEOPLE KNOW THE INTERNET IS FULL OF SO CALLED EXPERT AND EVERY SITE GIVE,S DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW...WHEN I POSTED I WAS MERELY PASSING ON WHAT I HAVE READ AND ALSO WHAT PEOPLE HAD PASSED ON IF YOU READ MY POST I THINK YOU WILL SEE THAT I DID NOT AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT.....I WAS JUST ASKING THE QUESTION....!! TO PUT YOUR MIND AS REST I,M CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR A BIGGER TANK I KNOW THAT THIS IS WHAT MUST HAPPEN AT SOME STAGE...I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY AT THIS POINT THAT ME AND MY PARTNER HAVE ALWAYS HAD ANIMALS FOR MANY YEARS AND WE WOULD NEVER,NEVER PUT ANY ANIMAL AT RISK....!!!!!
AND IF THE WORST HAPPENS AND I CAN NOT GET A BIGGER TANK THEN I WILL PASS ON THE FISH......PINKY123....!!!
Pinky,
Please accept my apologies. My post was intended to be derogatory to the website you mentioned, not to you, and I am truly sorry that you have taken it that way. It is clear from your "....!!" that you realise that the information was false.
Having re-read my post, I can quite see why you interpreted it the way you did, I promise you that I did not mean it that way at all.
Please accept my apologies. My post was intended to be derogatory to the website you mentioned, not to you, and I am truly sorry that you have taken it that way. It is clear from your "....!!" that you realise that the information was false.
Having re-read my post, I can quite see why you interpreted it the way you did, I promise you that I did not mean it that way at all.
As you seem to understand, not all websites are created equal, but knowing how to vet them is a challenge, especially when you are new to the hobby. I'd suggest "seriouslyfish.com" and "loaches.com" would be very good resources in your situation.pinky123 said:
Also, I can say that TLM did not mean to insult you, but rather the website you were referencing. Unfortunately there are far too many websites that perpetrate myths such as that and folks who follow their advice always come away with all kinds of problems.
I will also say that silver sharks are fish that in my opinion can't be 'properly' kept in a home aquarium, sadly. They are extremely active swimmers, normally, and grow to over a foot long at full maturity. Even if the tank they are placed in is 12 feet long, it's still woefully insufficient for them to display 'natural' behaviors. They are shoalers, which means you need to keep them in a large a group as possible, and fish that grow to that size just can't be kept in sufficient numbers in a home aquarium.
To both the lock man & Eaglesaquarium
Thanks for your apology and it is much appreciated and I hope we can start again with a clean slate.....!! I would now like to say that I.m still confused yet again...?
to Eaglesaquarium....looking at your post I will say that it looks like I made the wrong choice...? I have been looking around for a larger tank most site,s I have been on lately do recommend tanks of 6 ft or more...but you are now saying that this is still not big enough...? I,m in a dilemma do I still try for the bigger tank or pass on the fish....I was even thinking of building my own tank there are lots of vids on you-tube.....or would I waste my money...? any help would be great...!!!
I know that at the end of the day it was my choice to buy these fish but the shop that I go them from....I wont say the name but should I go back to them and tell them that this is the wrong type of fish for the beginner....???
last question can you give some sort of time scale for these fish to grow to full size......? THANKS AGAIN TO YOU BOTH...!!!!! Pinky123
Thanks for your apology and it is much appreciated and I hope we can start again with a clean slate.....!! I would now like to say that I.m still confused yet again...?
to Eaglesaquarium....looking at your post I will say that it looks like I made the wrong choice...? I have been looking around for a larger tank most site,s I have been on lately do recommend tanks of 6 ft or more...but you are now saying that this is still not big enough...? I,m in a dilemma do I still try for the bigger tank or pass on the fish....I was even thinking of building my own tank there are lots of vids on you-tube.....or would I waste my money...? any help would be great...!!!
I know that at the end of the day it was my choice to buy these fish but the shop that I go them from....I wont say the name but should I go back to them and tell them that this is the wrong type of fish for the beginner....???
last question can you give some sort of time scale for these fish to grow to full size......? THANKS AGAIN TO YOU BOTH...!!!!! Pinky123
cynic
Fishaholic
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2011
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You could go back armed with the infomation you now have and take them to task.
You are still covered by your rights as a consumer, may help and those fish will get too big.
My tank is over 5ft long and still too small for those guys.
As a guide to what fish can be like my Red Tailed Black shark is in the lower end of ideal tank size. Thats 6ft by 20" by 18", 300L give or take and i have heard my LFS say that they can be kept in large groups. Not likely.
I think some LFS would tell you the sun comes up in the west to sell fish.
You are still covered by your rights as a consumer, may help and those fish will get too big.
My tank is over 5ft long and still too small for those guys.
As a guide to what fish can be like my Red Tailed Black shark is in the lower end of ideal tank size. Thats 6ft by 20" by 18", 300L give or take and i have heard my LFS say that they can be kept in large groups. Not likely.
I think some LFS would tell you the sun comes up in the west to sell fish.
pinky123 said:
Yes, most sites recommend 6+ feet. And I'd agree that 6+ feet is a good starting point.
Regarding my 12 feet recommendation, that's a personal thing and its based on my personal philosophy of the tank trying to replicate the 'natural' as best as possible, because only the 'natural' will allow you to witness their natural behaviors (which is why I think anyone would want to keep fish). As pointed out, these fish grow to over a foot long (up to 16 inches) and even a 12 foot tank in that case is a mere 8 times their maximum length. These are also shoaling fish which would mean they are best in groups of 6+, but more is always better. And when that number of large fish get into a 6 foot tank, there's just not enough space for them to actually swim.
This is my personal opinion though. And folks around here can tell you, I am the type of person who loves to see lots of small fish in a huge tank, rather than the larger fish, because the smaller ones really take on a whole new personality when they have that type of freedom.
And absolutely talk to the LFS and see if they will take the fish back, and replace them with fish that will be better suited to your tank and your water parameters. Maybe they will be helpful... maybe they won't. If they won't, I'd suggest trying to find another LFS, even if its a little further from you (if that's a feasible option for you).
To fish crazy
Thanks for your input.....yes I feel that I should go back to this shop and let them know that the info that they are giving is wrong...! and as for taking them back...? it is a bit tricky I feel that if they did that they would be just sold on to some one like me who did not get the info out of them....I would rather give them to a proper fish keeper who knows what he or she is getting....but I will go back and tell them.....any way thanks again for your help....pinky123
Thanks for your input.....yes I feel that I should go back to this shop and let them know that the info that they are giving is wrong...! and as for taking them back...? it is a bit tricky I feel that if they did that they would be just sold on to some one like me who did not get the info out of them....I would rather give them to a proper fish keeper who knows what he or she is getting....but I will go back and tell them.....any way thanks again for your help....pinky123
pinky123 said:
It would be my pleasure.
fatheadminnow
Fish Aficionado
New filter? How new? Do you have mature filter media in the filter or new filter media? I wouldn't worry so much about your pH levels and worry more about your Ammonia and Nitrite levels. What test kit do you have? Can you give us some solid numbers on Ammonia and Nitrite?
Anyone else think this person might be in a fish-in cycle?
Could be wrong but never hurts to asks.
Anyone else think this person might be in a fish-in cycle?
Could be wrong but never hurts to asks.
A fish in cycle is a very good possibility. The OP says that the tank has been running for 4 weeks, but no mention has been made about ammonia, nitrite or nitrate. I am curious as to what those levels are, because they are primary causes of a lot of problems and secondary infections.
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