Now I have a sick Bala Shark.

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Longimanus

Longimanus

Candiru
MFK Member
Feb 19, 2009
405
19
48
BC, Canada
Today I noticed that one of my balas is sick. It is the smaller of the two, hasn't grown like the other one. But it has always been healthy until today. I checked all water again today and then did a 35% water change and added a bit more salt back. Nitrates were around 10-15, nitrites were 0, ammonia MAY be like .5, I can't tell too well. The test is one of those ones where 0 is clear, and .6 is semi more than clear. So stupid. Ph is between 5.5 and 6.

The only difference is that today I added a small bag of crushed coral to my XP4 canister filter, as well as a couple small pieces of coral to try and up the ph. I really am not sure if the shark was acting this way before I made the addition or not. Oh, I also added another heater to the tank, as the one I have doesn't let the heat go any higher than 80, and I was hoping to get it up to 82-84 to help with the illnesses.

This is the same tank as the Eartheater with cloudy eye, and the synodontis cat that flashes all the time.

Here is a video to show the bala sharks behaviour. Is there any hope for it? Sorry for the baby in the background!
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Swim bladder. Try feeding peas first. If it doesn't help look into antibiotics.

What's your bala sharks diet?
 
I feed them NLS pellets mostly, with frozen blood worms or brine shrimp a couple times a week.

Would thawed frozen peas work? Or do they have to be fresh?
 
Thawed is fine. Try to introduce fiber into your fish's diets more often. It helps clear things out and prevent build up of gases, which can lead to swim bladder issues.
 
Thanks for your help, much appreciated!

I have been a little lax on the veggies, I used to give them fresh peas, zuchinni and romaine, I need to get back on it.
Thanks again!
 
Well the bala is now in a breeder trap, and he ate a pea yesterday and is currently munching on another one. He spent much of the night on his side, gasping. I thought he would be dead today, but he looks a bit better. I haven't seen him "go" yet though. My whole tank has enjoyed their peas!
 
I had one do the same axact thing that its doing and i thought it was dead for sure but 4 days later it just stopped and hes fine now and thriving at 6"
 
He looks worse again now. He's eaten two peas, how many should I feed him? I have to cut them up as he is still pretty small, so one whole pea is quite the meal.
 
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