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September 25th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| bala shark behavior?
i have a 36g community tank with some rummy noses, neons cherry barbs, colombian tetras 2 mistery snails.. and 1 bala shark that i'm aware of his growing size. for the past year the shark was grown but not that much, on the other hand the cherry barbs and the tetras have gotten quite big and fat.(none of the small fish will fit in the balas mouth).i know the bala sharks are very peacefull.  but for some reason the bala shark is attacking my snails  can anyone tell me why is this shark behaving this way?? ? i save the sanils like 4 times .. but i think one of them its really hurt now... this is driving crazy  thank you for your time!! | 
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September 25th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| because he is having a space issue and ramming into the sides of the tank if spooked, or even just trying to swim, might injure a snail on the side...as well if he cant compete for food , the snail is an easy target as they dont move fast.....if he isnt growing like the others, hes being stunted....and that cant be reversed...they grow fast in the first few years then slow down as they mature... | 
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September 25th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| I'm no pro but i'm pretty sure the minimum tank size for a balla shark is 55 gallons. With that said that is the minimum not the recomended, and your well bellow the minimum. Maybe he just feels crammed and feels competitive and is taking it out on your easy targets... the snails... | |
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September 25th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawnie  because he is having a space issue and ramming into the sides of the tank if spooked, or even just trying to swim, might injure a snail on the side...as well if he cant compete for food , the snail is an easy target as they dont move fast.....if he isnt growing like the others, hes being stunted....and that cant be reversed...they grow fast in the first few years then slow down as they mature... | thank you shawnie. i see him swimming fast, and he does have space issue i guess 36 isnt enough. but he is the first one eating (flakes and small shrimp pellots food used). i just didnt think the snails were going to become a target. is he trying to kill them and eat them? that is not a peacefull fish. or is he getting stress because of his size and he is getting aggressive?? | |
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September 25th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| i agree with shawnie. hes cramped. it could also be another reason why he isnt getting much bigger in the tank hes in right now. which could decrease his life span. 55 gal would be better for him | |
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September 25th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Yes, if a normally peaceful fish is stressed, it can quickly act out in aggressive ways... kinda like people in this way.  His behavior will likely escalate as his growth continues to be painfully stunted.
I'm sorry for your snail ( I love those guys) and for your bala. Best wishes for everyone.  | |
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September 25th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| also, ive had a buddy who had a bala crash into a side of a small tank and crack the tank..so be careful the bigger he gets ...it could be totally disastrous | |
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September 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| thank you all for your advice i think he has to go to back to pet store.. maybe i get another snail and some more communitty small fish.. | |
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September 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Addict
| If you still have that ID shark, you ought to take that back as well. They grow to around 3 feet. Pangasius gigas, sometimes sold as an ID shark, grows to 9 feet.
Of course not in an aquarium.
Last edited by Jaysee; September 27th, 2009 at 02:53 AM.
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September 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Lore Newbie
| From what I know about balas, they are fish that like to be in schools. I have three and they are always pestering each other (in a good way). Maybe he's just bored? Good plan to take him back and get something more suitable for your tank size. | |
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September 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by iseefish thank you all for your advice i think he has to go to back to pet store.. maybe i get another snail and some more communitty small fish.. | Thats very responsible of you. Although you might miss him, it will be in his best interest. | |
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September 27th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Hello iseefish. Sorry to hear that you're having these issues. Great information and advice above. I think you, your fish and the sharks would all be much happier if the sharks were rehoused.
Best wishes and let us know what new additions you decide on.
Ken | |
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September 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| It's really great to hear that you are going to re-home them in exchange for something better suited to your tank size. Often people get attached to a fish that's unhappy in a cramped tank, but they don't want to do what is best for the fish  and eventually the fish suffers the worse for it and dies. Thank you for not making your sharks suffer and for doing the responsible thing.
Kudos to you my friend!!  | |
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September 27th, 2009
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| | Fish Mentor
| Quote:
Originally Posted by iloveengl It's really great to hear that you are going to re-home them in exchange for something better suited to your tank size. Often people get attached to a fish that's unhappy in a cramped tank, but they don't want to do what is best for the fish and eventually the fish suffers the worse for it and dies. Thank you for not making your sharks suffer and for doing the responsible thing.
Kudos to you my friend!! | What she said  Sorry, but I couldn't have phrased it any better than that. | |
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September 30th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| thank you all.. i just want a peacefull tank!!!! so if its for the best ... well done.. | |
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September 30th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaysee If you still have that ID shark, you ought to take that back as well. They grow to around 3 feet. Pangasius gigas, sometimes sold as an ID shark, grows to 9 feet.
Of course not in an aquarium. | unfurtunatlly my ID shark was found dead on the floor 4 months ago. he jumped out tru one of the filters spaces in the tank.. ... i never expected that... R.I.P ID HE was only 3 inches big | |
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October 1st, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Moved thread.
Hello IseeFish.  I just wanted to let you know I've moved your thread to the BallaShark/SilverShark section of the forum.
Thanks!
Ken  | |
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