Fish jumped out of tank!!!

[JSatyr]

Hey, all! I have a 75gallon tank, going to be upgrading to a bigger one in the future. I have a spotted pleco, pictus cat, red-tail black shark and 2 Bala Sharks. I use to have 3, but, I came home from work to find one jumped out of my tank and was dead on the floor . My question is, should I get another one around the same size or will my remaining two be okay being the only balas in the tank? I raised the 3 together as babies, had them for the last few years. I have no idea how he got out. I have a lid on my tank. The opening for the filter is pretty narrow. I found one at a pet shop that’s around 5 inches I will go look at tomorrow. I may grab it if they willl accept him and not try and reject/attack him? Here’s the opening the shark got out of along with my 2 remaining sharks.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

They shouldn't reject a new bala,as they usually aren't that territorial

 

[JSatyr]

They shouldn't reject a new bala,as they usually aren't that territorial

Cool, thanks! I hope the one I’m going to look at tomorrow is around the size of mine. If so I will snag him on up!

 

[krichardson]

They shouldn't reject a new bala,as they usually aren't that territorial

Agreed,they are not known to be picky with new groupmates but can be skittish...as you have already learned.

 

[FishEZ]

Mine are your size as well and I have had them jump when startled.

 

[JSatyr]

That is so crazy! I had no issues with them for the past 3 years. Ugh! I wonder how he got through such a narrow openon. Must of hit the angle perfectly. The one I’m going to look at tomorrow is around 5 inches. I may buy it.

 

[krichardson]

Mine are your size as well and I have had them jump when startled.

I had a group of five and six inches and it didn't take much to set them off.I can see one of them getting up enough propulsion to knock up and bolt out of the tank.

 

[JSatyr]

Oh and here is my pleco!

 

[Itsadeepbluesea]

You'd be surprised at what they can fit through. I once watched a wrasse jump through the really tiny gap in egg crate over my tank and land behind the tank. It seemed an impossible fit, but some how he got through. The balas should be fine if you and another one in.

 

[jeaninel]

At that size they really need a bigger tank, preferably a 6 foot tank. I have 5 Balas in my 6 foot 150 gallon. They are very active and need lots of swimming room. You've had no issues before because they were small. They've grown and are ready for a larger tank.