Bala shark fin discoloration

[JoeLU]

Hi all, starting a new thread because I do not believe this is related to the one I have on the "Question on Ich". I have not added new stock since my last update Feb 18.

I have added a video link here, shows issue better than still pictures. On the bala sharks, especially the large one I noticed some discoloration on the fins. I also noticed that on the mouth/nose look damaged. At first I though that its from damaged done from the shark trashing around and bumping into the tank glass. Even if I walk past the tank it would act scared . All this could be normal, just wanted to get some opinion and advice.

After Ich action. Eheim 2213 re-installed Feb 20 with carbon added. One third water change and vacuum gravel Feb 26. Tested water last night (March 2) -
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
ph - 7.6 so I did high range ph - 8.0
Tank - 80 gal.

Florida tap water is inhertantly hard.

Looking at the video, should I be concerned about the discoloration. I believe normally the black sections of the fins, and tail should be all black.

Video link -

Thanks.

 

[kallililly1973]

Not an expert but looks like a young one possibly hybridized? Not the subject of the matter but I think those fish get huge and will eventually need something the size of a swimming pool to thrive. But I’m not here to judge just giving my opinion

 

[Redshark1]

Somebody has a 17 inch one on monsterfishkeepers. They should normally get to around 14 inches unless stunted. I read a thread all about them by their owners on that forum as it is a fish I admire.

Balas are skittish and need space. They use their high speed to escape from stressful situations and they are easily spooked.

These look stressed and in poor condition. Probably because of their cramped conditions.

It might not be possible for you to keep these fish in good condition but I would start by asking people who have kept them successfully. Maybe research the thread I mentioned and definitely start a thread asking questions on monsterfishkeepers. Lots of info there.

Many people at monsterfishkeepers have given up on them as they commonly die jumping or colliding but I know a few have been successful. But mere six foot tanks like I have won't cut it so I haven't tried. Expecting them to live in a six foot tank is a joke.

 

[JoeLU]

Not an expert but looks like a young one possibly hybridized?

Can you please explain this statment. Cross bred? Thanks.

 

[kallililly1973]

Can you please explain this statment. Thanks.

Not really anything to explain other than to me it looks like a young bala shark or possibly a hybrid of some sort. Like I said not an expert just giving my.02

 

[Fishfur]

Not really anything to explain other than to me it looks like a young bala shark or possibly a hybrid of some sort. Like I said not an expert just giving my.02

It’s extremely unlikely to be a hybrid. These guys are so notoriously difficult to breed in captivity that the farms must use hormones to produce them.

There could be some natural variations in wild caught specimens but in the trade they are virtually all going to be farm bred.

They’re very beautiful fish but along with the giant catfish & a few others, they’re just not suited to the average home aquarium and I truly wish they just weren’t sold - along with some others in the same category.

To house them well requires truly vast amounts of space.

 

[JoeLU]

ok, I won’t purchase bala's going forward.

Still have question on what is happening right now. As stated, I had an ich outbreak, had casualties. It has been a couple weeks, have done water change and re-installed the Eheim canister filter with carbon a week ago.



The large(6 inch) bala I believe is ok. The color variation in the fins and tail I think is normal due to its size. The small one is swimming around and eating as normal but looks like it is shedding scales, mouth/nose area look white liked stripped.

 

[Fishfur]

Clearly focused still shots of the areas of concern would be very helpful to see.,

 

[Noroomforshoe]

You can add tanins to this tank via capalta or almand leaves or drift wood. You can add fish vitamins like vita chem to the water, What are you feeding them? Can you get live black worms? You can also try frozen. but it is not as stimulating as chasing live foods.

 

[JoeLU]

Clearly focused still shots of the areas of concern would be very helpful to see.,

Pics attached. Thank you.

 

[Fishfur]

Clearly focused still shots of the areas of concern would be very helpful to see.,

I would want to paint those areas with Methylene blue, to take advantage of its limited diagnostic ability.

If any of the painted areas stains blue, then the slime coat is missing where the staining occurs.

That at least tells us there is a problem, as slime coat doesn’t just disappear for no reason. Unfortunately it can’t tell us what the problem actually is.

If there’s no staining whatever, then the slime coat is intact. That doesn’t absolutely indicate that there isn’t a problem, maybe originating from beneath the skin, but it will rule out the possibility of open wounds or raw skin or surface skin infection.