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April 6th, 2009
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| | Fish Lore Newbie
| My Bala Shark isn't eating
Just two days ago I bought a bala shark (about 5" long) from my LFS. I have yet to see him eat. I have been feeding him (along with the rest of my fish) a combination of flake food and pellets. The Bala Shark profile on this site says they should eat both of those foods. Any suggestions? Should I try some live stuff? What else is a good food for Bala Sharks? Is it typical they won't eat when first introduced to a tank? PLEASE HELP!!
-SharkGuy | 
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April 6th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| hi sharkguy ...bala's usually eat anything they can fit in their mouth....what other fish are in their tank? what size tank? do you know the water parimeters?
sorry for the questions but it will help us try to help you and your bala  | |
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April 6th, 2009
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| | Fish Lore Newbie
| Its a 55 gallon tank. In which I have...
1 Bala Shark
1 Rainbow Shark
2 Angel Fish
4 Guppies
1 Clown Pleco
1 African Dwarf Frog pH = 6.8
Buffering Capacity = 120ppm
Hardness = 60ppm nitrite = 0.5ppm nitrate = 5ppm
Thanks for the response I don't mind answering questions.  | |
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April 6th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| do you have an ammonia tester? what kind of test kit do you have, liquid or strips? it sounds like he may be feeling the effects of an uncycled tank, since you've got a .5ppm nitrIte reading. for your tank to be cycled you'd want to have 0ppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrite, and 5-20ppm nitrate. you're definitely close to being cycled since you do have a nitrAte reading, but not quite. i'd go ahead and do a 50% water change with prime or stress coat + to get the levels down, and then see how he feels after 50% daily changes for the next few days at least | |
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April 6th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| I agree with alex and im assuming you have the dip stick tester as there isnt an ammonia reading...if you can, frind an API liquid master test kit, as it has all the stuff you need...everything else alex recommended is great!! goodluck! | |
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April 6th, 2009
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| | Fish Lore Newbie
| More information which might be necessary is that I just started this tank about 10 days ago. After 24 hours I added the guppies and the african frog. Then just two days ago I added the bala shark, angel fish, and rainbow shark. Do you still think I should do a 50% water change? Should I just let the water continue to cycle? And yes i do have the stick test kit.
Last edited by sharkguy102003; April 6th, 2009 at 08:29 PM.
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April 6th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| yes you need to do 50% every day with the stress coat+ until you can find a liquid master kit...it has to be the plus version which keeps the cycle going, but detoxifies the ammonia and nitrites so the fish can survive ..in 10 days, how did you cycle it so fast? I hope things look up! | |
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April 6th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Honestly IMO, I'd take the bala back.
They are a schooling fish that get BIG. A 55 gal. is not large enough for a bala. | |
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April 13th, 2009
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| | Fish Lore Newbie
| Well Amanda, the profile for Bala sharks on this website and the experts at my local fish store disagree with you. And just to update everyone, the bala is doing fine now. Also the experts at the LFS also disagreed with a water change so I did not do a water change. I thought the water was cycled, but it wasn't so I let the cycle continue. Now that the water actually is completely cycled the bala is eating and is very healthy, and is doing just great. | |
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April 13th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Quote:
Originally Posted by sharkguy102003  Well Amanda, the profile for Bala sharks on this website and the experts at my local fish store disagree with you. And just to update everyone, the bala is doing fine now. Also the experts at the LFS also disagreed with a water change so I did not do a water change. I thought the water was cycled, but it wasn't so I let the cycle continue. Now that the water actually is completely cycled the bala is eating and is very healthy, and is doing just great. | how does this site disagree ? bala's get up to 13 inches each..and deffinately like to school....LFS will say alot but always remember, they are out to make money and we just try to help when there is a problem...we dont get money for doing so
im glad things are looking up tho for you and your bala!! but im with amanda, that fish will out grow your tank because of all the other fish in there with him ,he needs the 55 gal alone  | |
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April 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Lore Newbie
| this site disagrees because it says 55gallon is ok for a bala... maybe your right about him being alone, but it does not say that on this sites bala shark profile | |
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April 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_bala.php
check this site out they say that a bala needs to be in a 500L tanks witch in gallons is about 130 so even if this site say that it may be wrong and you should always look at more thewn one site to find info on a single fish!
I also agree with shawnie and amanda you should take the bala back it would be best for him! | |
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April 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Yes, it needs a 55 gal. - to iteself. Think about it - this fish reaches over a foot long. That is not going ot be comfortable OR easy in a 55 gal. tank. It's not fair to the fish. I would really consider taking them back. Also, be very wary when talking to LFS workers. They're often only out for $$ - you'll see many thread on that topic here in the forum. | |
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April 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Amanda Yes, it needs a 55 gal. - to iteself. Think about it - this fish reaches over a foot long. That is not going ot be comfortable OR easy in a 55 gal. tank. It's not fair to the fish. I would really consider taking them back. Also, be very wary when talking to LFS workers. They're often only out for $$ - you'll see many thread on that topic here in the forum. | i also agree with amnda on this cause my lfs has said the same thing and i did my own reserch and found out that some of the things that they were telling me was only half true or not true at all!
i also hope the link that i gave you in the other post helps! | |
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April 14th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Quote:
Originally Posted by sharkguy102003 this site disagrees because it says 55gallon is ok for a bala... maybe your right about him being alone, but it does not say that on this sites bala shark profile | yes it does...alone..without your other fishies | |
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