One of the leading reasons Bala Sharks die prematurely in home aquariums is their tendency to leap out of the water . Balas are graceful, powerful swimmers but when they get spooked, they would jump in a blink of an eye. In the wild, jumping makes for an excellent defense mechanism.
Are Bala sharks easy to keep?
Most experts agree that Bala Shark care is relatively easy if the fish owner has some basic knowledge of fish care. These fish tend to remain healthy, but fish owners should be sure to keep their aquariums clean and the water level and temperature stable for best results.
Are Bala sharks hard to keep?
However, the Bala Shark is a large fish and will require a large aquarium. Other than that, they are relatively easy to care for. Breeding is also not difficult either but takes time and patience. If you have other fish in your aquarium, chances are Bala can get along with them just fine.
Can I keep 1 Bala shark?
Adult Bala sharks can reach lengths of 12 inches (30 centimeters) or more. So they easily can grow into enormous tank busters. Plus, you shouldn’t keep just one Bala shark in a tank, they need to be in a school of five or more .
How big of an aquarium do Bala sharks need?
As previously mentioned, the key factor in the bala’s environment is tank size. An aquarium of 125 gallons is needed to keep a school of adult bala sharks, and since they are active swimmers, a longer tank is recommended. These are active fish that startle easily.
How long do Bala sharks get?
Appearance and anatomy. These fish have a silver body with black margins on their dorsal, caudal, anal, and pelvic fins. They have big eyes to find and catch their prey. The bala shark will grow to a maximum length of 35 cm (14 in) .
Why is my bala shark upside down?
The impaired buoyancy in fish is caused by a malfunction of their swim bladder . When affected by Swim Bladder Disorder fish will often lose the ability to properly swim. They will float uncontrollably to the top of the aquarium, turned upside down, while still being alive.
Do Bala sharks grow fast?
How fast do Bala sharks grow? They actually grow quite fast and in as little as a month some have experienced them growing 1-4 inches .
What are good Tankmates for Bala sharks?
- Tinfoil Barbs (Barbus schwanefeldi)
- Boesemani Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia boesemani)
- Emerald Rainbowfish (Glossolepis wanamensis)
- Clown Loaches (Chromobotia macracanthus)
- Angelfish (Pterophyllum sp.)
- Black Ghost Knifefish (Apteronotus albifrons)
Can a Bala shark go in a 10 gallon tank?
Next to the betta fish, the Bala shark is possibly the most abused aquarium fish out there. They start out as cute little three-inch fish and end up in some kid’s 10-gallon tank because they are so cool. But Bala sharks grow a foot long and need to be kept in schools .
Can a Bala shark live in a 75 gallon tank?
While some species that reach a similar size can be housed in a 55- to 75-gallon tank, the bala shark would find such conditions very cramped and likely displace a lot of water in its quick bursts across the tank. The bala shark is also a social fish that likes to live in groups .
Do Bala sharks eat guppies?
Minnows and rasboras also get along just fine with guppies . Even other members of the guppy family, like the platy, can easily, comfortably share a tank with guppies.
Why do Bala sharks twitch?
Yes, it is most likely stress from what he’s gone through . All fish are stressed by being netted and moved to a new environment, and many take time to regain their normal behaviours.
Do bala sharks lay eggs?
After laying eggs and depositing sperm, bala sharks don’t spend any time caring for the eggs. When the eggs hatch, the babies are on their own. Adult balas sometimes eat their own young rather than nurture them.
Can red tail sharks live with bala sharks?
Here are some possible Red Tail Shark tank mates: Neon Tetra . Bala Shark . Honey Gourami .
Do bala sharks eat snails?
They will, however, eat smaller creatures they find in the tank . This includes snails, small fish, and shrimp. These fish have very healthy appetites. ... Even still, you can often find Bala Sharks eating snails whenever they get the opportunity!
