jen28tink

I had a Bala Shark for about 8 months, he seemed to be doing very well, his bands were in full color and he was very active (had just started coming out of his shyness-coming up to the tank with the others when I apporached to feed). I came home this weekend after being gone Sat/Sun and he was dead. I have no clue as to how or why. I have checked the ph, nitrates and nitrites and the water hardness and temp. All perfectly fine. His body showed no signs of being picked on. Everyone else in the tank is fine (3 platys, 2 dwarf gourmais, 1 pelco, 1 Cory cat, 1 algae eater, 3 phantom tetra and 2 golden tetra, 3 neon tetra, 3 green fire tetra, and 2 danios) My tank is a 50 gallon tank. All my fish get along and are peaceful. I would like to replace my Bala Shark, but I have started to wonder if I should not since I have been reading and it seems that they do better in pairs or more. My tank is not big enough to house two balas over time and getting a larger tank is not possible. I thought maybe I had two many fish in the tank. Just not sure. Would really like to add another Bala, just not sure…any suggestions.

Butterfly

Personally I wouldn't get another Bala but would add to the cory group as they need to be in groups and the more the better.
carol

KittieKat

i agree.. i would add to the groups thats u already have. the tetras and danios u have thrive in groups of atleast 5. ur cory would be happy with atleast 2 more amigos.

sorry to hear about ur bala tho.. i have four myself and i love the little boogers.. they too are alittle shy tho they still come over to the side of the tank that im standing at in hopes of food.