To combat this, special hormone injections are necessary to spur and stimulate this breeding nature. Although not considered an aggressive fish species, Bala Sharks can eat smaller fish, especially those that are smooth and sleek, as they get bigger. Some food types can make the balas sick and stressed. Remember the weight of the water will add up quickly, so make sure the surface is strong enough to support the weight. House bala sharks in a freshwater tank and feed them an omnivorous diet. Being able to maintain a small ecosystem and observe the behaviors and interactions in the underwater world peaked his interest early on and has kept him hooked until this day. Fungal infections are caused by spores that target the scales and skin of a fish. eFishkeeping.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You should also be sure your aquarium is big enough for your bala shark to swim around without feeling too cramped. Do your research before making any purchases! The bala shark isnt a real freshwater shark. Look for nutritious foods that provide the vitamins, minerals, and proteins needed for these fish to grow to their full potential.Diversify feeding by adding live, high-protein foods like bloodworms and shrimp to the tank, and regularly feed the fish plankton, diced fruits, greens, and vegetables to fortify the fishs health.Bala sharks should be fed up to three times per day. If you want to get in touch we encourage you to do so via our contact page. They may be tiny when you first pick them up from the pet store, but will grow rapidly and exponentially with proper care. Overcrowding can stress balas greatly, and they might even leap out of the tank to die if their aquarium is too overcrowded. I also have some platys. Its body is lighter gray at the top than at the bottom.Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',145,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-banner-1','ezslot_5',145,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-banner-1-0_1');.banner-1-multi-145{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding-bottom:10px!important;padding-top:10px!important;text-align:center!important}The bala sharks small, closely-packed scales are iridescent, meaning that they reflect light as the fish moves, creating a shimmering appearance.Typical BehaviorThe bala shark is a peaceful fish that gets along well with other peaceful species in a community tank. You can easily accomplish this with a solid heater. All-in-all, the Bala Shark makes an excellent addition to almost any freshwater tank. If this is seen, the fish often has a parasitic or bacterial infection and should be treated. The typical cost of a bala shark is $7 to $10. Monitor your bala sharks and water parameters regularly. Raise the water temperature slightly and gradually before adding some salt. Aggressive and non-compatible tank mates can make bala sharks stressed. Inspired by my Dad, I got interested in fishkeeping when I was a kid. Moreover, they dont usually attack other fish, but they will display a lot of movement, racing inside the tank from one side to another. 150 gallons may seem like a huge space and financial commitment, and it is. Unless you live in a tropical climate, you will need an aquarium heater to maintain these temperatures. Hi! However, it can be as low as 6.0 and up to 8.0. Although they might seem interesting, poor handling, like squeezing the fishs body or touching the eyes or the gills, can cause stress. However, this isnt actually the case. Like most gentle fish, bala sharks tend to feel more at ease when they are kept in groups or schools. Provide a similarly varied diet in captivity with a combination of live and dried foods.Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-2','ezslot_14',136,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-leader-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-2','ezslot_15',136,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-leader-2-0_1');.leader-2-multi-136{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding-bottom:10px!important;padding-top:10px!important;text-align:center!important}High-quality dried food, like flakes and pellets, should make up the bulk of the bala sharks diet. Keep the fry in a separate tank until the fish reach six months old or four inches long. No additional supplements are required as long as the fish has a balanced, diverse diet.BreedingBreeding bala sharks is moderately difficult and best attempted by aquarists with fish-breeding experience. Filtration Bala sharks need a quality filter that can filter five times the water volume in the tank. Just be sure you give them the best home possible so that, if their twitching is a sign of stress, it stops and they get back to living a swimmingly fulfilling life. As you can see, most Bala Shark diseases are caused by poor water quality, whether due to contamination or keeping the fish in unfavorable conditions. Bala Sharks may show signs of stress in various situations, such as: Keeping a single Bala Shark in the tank for a long time (you should keep at least 4 to 6) As diurnal fish, they are more active in the day than the night.Bala sharks are timid and easily scared, and spend a lot of time hiding in caves and behind plants.Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',155,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',155,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-large-leaderboard-2-0_1');.large-leaderboard-2-multi-155{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding-bottom:10px!important;padding-top:10px!important;text-align:center!important}Bala Shark Care & Tank RequirementsCaring for bala sharks is easy as long as you provide stable water conditions and enough space for these active swimmers to explore. Otherwise, these fish share no other traits or behaviors with sharks found in saltwater oceans. Despite their delicate appearance, Bala sharks are capable of displaying signs of stress. How much space should you allocate to these active fish? Plant vegetation around the edges of the tank to prevent disruption to the swimming areas.Bala sharks are known to jump out of the tank, especially when settling into their new environment, so a secure lid on top of the tank is essential.Tank ConditionsThe ideal tank conditions for bala sharks are:Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_10',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_11',115,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1');.large-mobile-banner-1-multi-115{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding-bottom:10px!important;padding-top:10px!important;text-align:center!important}Water type:Neutral, fast-flowing freshwaterTank size:Minimum 150 gallons, plus 45 gallons for every extra fishWater temperature:7282FSubstrate:Pebbles or mudTank setup:Plants, rootsAcidity:6.08.0 pHWater hardness:512 dGHFilter:Yes, to provide a fast current that mimics the current in the fishs natural habitatPump:Pumps contribute to a fast-flowing current, but arent essentialBubbler:No, additional aeration from a bubbler isnt necessaryLighting:Yes, a freshwater aquarium light should provide at least 8 hours of light per day, to encourage plant growth and provide a day-to-night cycleWater heater:Yes, to provide consistently warm waters for this tropical fishThe essentials for a bala sharks tank are a powerful external filter, natural tank lighting, and a high-quality water heater.These fish are sensitive to changing water parameters, so maintaining consistent water parameters and carrying out regular 2030% water changes are essential to prevent disease and stress.DiseaseBala sharks arent vulnerable to specific diseases, but there are several freshwater diseases that affect these fish when they are housed in poor tank conditions.DropsyDropsy is a buildup of fluid inside the fish and is usually a symptom of a bacterial or parasitic infection. We hope this care guide gave you some insight on how to care for bala sharks! These fish do not need special foods or supplements, and fish owners should simply strive to feed them a balanced diet for continued good health. Ive also kept tetras without issue, however most tetras need to shoal, so make sure your tank has enough room for a large group of tetras plus growing Bala Sharks. Make sure to opt for a heater thats rated for the size of your bala fish tank 150 gallons, per our minimum tank size recommendation. External parasites can be seen attached to the body or gills of the fish, and are introduced to the tank through new fish, live foods, or plants.Use veterinarian-approved medications or insecticides to kill parasites. Bala Shark - Who Gives A Fish Bala sharks become sexually mature at around six months old, or when the fish have grown to four inches long.Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-3','ezslot_16',119,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-leader-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-3','ezslot_17',119,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fishkeepingworld_com-leader-3-0_1');.leader-3-multi-119{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding-bottom:10px!important;padding-top:10px!important;text-align:center!important}To breed bala sharks, follow these steps:Place a group of five bala sharks in a separate 65-gallon breeding tank with a temperature of 77F and a strong filter. There isnt necessarily a scientific consensus for exactly why bala sharks twitch, however, one theory is that bala sharks twitch as part of their navigation through the water. 5. The other one does not have this and I can't recall seeing it before on this one. Fish Fasting 101: Everything You Need to Know! Obviously, the more fish you have, the more room they will need. These fish are used to warm waters with a pebbly or muddy substrate. 4. Please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for any animal or pet-related medical advice. You might notice this behavior is a little more constant for a couple of days or so after bringing them home. You can leave the room light on. This should subside as they navigate their surroundings. As a result, they may lose a few scales if the tank is too small for them or overcrowded with rough decorations. With 8 or more Bala Sharks and a suitable . Besides infections, Bala Sharks are highly prone to stress when you keep them in unfavorable conditions for a long time. Species such as neon tetras may be great in most community tanks, but will likely turn into a tasty snack for a hungry bala shark. Fully-grown bala sharks should be housed in a tank of at least 150 gallons, at least 5 feet across. Being able to maintain a small ecosystem and observe the behaviors and interactions in the underwater world peaked his interest early on and has kept him hooked until this day. Other than diseases, Bala Sharks can develop white spots across their bodies due to stress. Just be sure to choose items that are safe for aquarium use, as some may contain toxic chemicals that can harm your fish. Because bala sharks hail from the tropical climate of Southeast Asia, they require warm temperatures between 72-82F. However, we recommend testing the feeder out first. In the pet store, Bala sharks are sold when they are very young and only measure one or two inches. Bala Sharks are prone to external parasites, which are parasites that attach themselves directly to the body of the fish or its gills for nutrition. Make sure that the water parameters are stable and pristine. Remove the affected fish from the main tank. And will they nip your fingers off? Twitching can also help deter any predators from coming near them. 2020 - 2023 eFishkeeping. The fishs ventral fins are small and colored black or gray. What is the most important component of a healthy diet? This could lead to further digestive problems that can make the fish more vulnerable to the common fish diseases and ailments usually seen. Great tank mates for bala sharks include: In the wild, the bala sharks diet consists of insects, small crustaceans, plant matter, algae, and larvae. Why Do Bala Sharks Twitch? - Detailed Guide After a few more hours, the unfertilized whitish spawn material can be safely removed. I have 2 balas and 3 Corey cats what kind of fruit and vegetables can I feed them and what plants can I put in there tank, I have a massive bala sharj i keep her in a 3ft tank she is housed with baby cichlids bristlenose plecs & male & female kribs she gets on great with them & leaves the babies alone i change water every 2 weeks & clean internal filter every week i had 4 to start with but 3 died but had her years learnt well & i have never done ph tests theres rocks boat & plastic plants along the botton plus i have 2 air supplies running & shes very happy but does not like ne in her tank as she splashes ne loads when it comes to tank clean but i must say i love her lol, I love reading the ads my bala shark is in a 3 foot tank also in there are african cichlid fry 2 kribs male female & 2 female * 1 male bristle nose plecs that breed so have pleco fry aswell * it works well.