Small Bala terrorizing all the bigger fish

[FJB]

I don't have experience with bala sharks, so can't make suggestions.
I do believe the tank is overstocked and that does not help. I count 2 large tinfoils, 2 large gourami, 2 tinfoils (aggressor and another of food size), 3 adult (male) Metynnis lippincotianus SDs, 3 adult (male?) Metynnis cf altidorsalis, several cories.
I am not sure if the tank is 18" wide, or 24" wide, but that is a lot of fish, and there are no places to hide or structures they can mill about (such as for the silver dollars). Even removing the small bala, that is a lot of fish.

 

[freeme]

I don't have experience with bala sharks, so can't make suggestions.
I do believe the tank is overstocked and that does not help. I count 2 large tinfoils, 2 large gourami, 2 tinfoils (aggressor and another of food size), 3 adult (male) Metynnis lippincotianus SDs, 3 adult (male?) Metynnis cf altidorsalis, several cories.
I am not sure if the tank is 18" wide, or 24" wide, but that is a lot of fish, and there are no places to hide or structures they can mill about (such as for the silver dollars). Even removing the small bala, that is a lot of fish.

Don't know what you saw there is only 2 tinfoils none of the fish are food size. There are 3 spotted silver dollars but they are the least afraid of the bala. All of the fish were got together as babies and we never thought 15 years later they would all still be alive. The small Bala terrorizing was a very recent addition 4 years old which we didn't really want and was very small when we rescued him. We have wondering if it's because he has got bigger and is 10 years younger than the rest. It's disappointing as we have always had such a peaceful community until last few days. We do agree we need to try and rehoming the new trouble maker. Our external filter is the largest one pond solutions make with back up sponge filters. We never dreamed we would need to replace our original external filter but fish they just keep going and had to buy a new one about 4 years ago. The sponge filters were a god send for the 3 days waiting for new filter and was able to keep media in Angel fish tank. A couple silver dollars got collomaris about 7 years ago we bought antibiotics from US treated them in hospital tank and miraculous they survived but it did leave a little scarring.

 

[Morti]

Is it doing it constantly and is it causing any physical damage to the other fish?

We have a Bala that is nearly 30 years old now and a silver dollar that's the same age. We had more silver dollars but rescued the Bala in the early 90's and it's gone through similar behaviour over the years but not for long before it settled down again. It's funny but until a couple of months ago the silver dollar had always been the target but it turned on the Bala and started nipping it for a few days. They have since settled down and are best buddies again.

I would just watch them and only step in if physical damage is being done or its just relentless chasing for an extended period.

 

[Joshuakahan]

This is situation. We did loose elderly male Bala he was about 14 inches it was after he died that the speed of growth in the little one increased. We grow plants in Angel fish tank and plant excess in 6ft trouble is they eat it all. Maybe some fake plants may help. Thank you

View attachment 1535544

That kisser is awesome, I’d rehome the trouble maker. I think that would be easier than playing with stocking or scaping

 

[Joshuakahan]

I don't have experience with bala sharks, so can't make suggestions.
I do believe the tank is overstocked and that does not help. I count 2 large tinfoils, 2 large gourami, 2 tinfoils (aggressor and another of food size), 3 adult (male) Metynnis lippincotianus SDs, 3 adult (male?) Metynnis cf altidorsalis, several cories.
I am not sure if the tank is 18" wide, or 24" wide, but that is a lot of fish, and there are no places to hide or structures they can mill about (such as for the silver dollars). Even removing the small bala, that is a lot of fish.

I wouldn’t think stocking level is the problem considering how long this tank has been up. Over stocking tends to diffuse aggression. I just think this one bala happens to be a d**k and should be rehomed

 

[freeme]

Is it doing it constantly and is it causing any physical damage to the other fish?

We have a Bala that is nearly 30 years old now and a silver dollar that's the same age. We had more silver dollars but rescued the Bala in the early 90's and it's gone through similar behaviour over the years but not for long before it settled down again. It's funny but until a couple of months ago the silver dollar had always been the target but it turned on the Bala and started nipping it for a few days. They have since settled down and are best buddies again.

I would just watch them and only step in if physical damage is being done or its just relentless chasing for an extended period.

OMG this is exactly what happened yesterday lunchtime everything was back to normal. It all seemed to blow over as suddenly as it started. Everyone is happy again. What scared us about your answer the most is yours are 30 years old. 15 years older than ours WOW We are worried now we are both elderly and scared the fish might outlive us. Can't thank you enough for your reply. We were trying to re-home the young one. But what you said would happen is what happened. Right now everyone in tank is calm just doing their thing.

 

[Morti]

I'm glad it's all settled down. Our Bala has always been the biggest fish and has periods of being a jerk to other non bottom dwelling species before it settles down. It hasn't chased anything for several years now though and I think it was probably amplified by the fact they would normally be in a group of their own kind, where they could squabble amongst themselves.

I don't have any real clue as to how old either species can get. I had a quick look and it doesn't seem uncommon for silver dollars to reach their mid twenties and I did find, albeit a different species to the one I have, one that was 40 years in captivity. We did lose the other two silver dollars in their mid to late twenties, so I think that would be a good ball park number but neither the silver dollar or the Bala shark look their age in anyway.

 

[FJB]

Silver dollars do live decades in captivity if in good care. I have a trio of documented 26 years old Metynnis maculatus (prob. slightly older) and they look great.
I am glad peace has returned to your tank. I fear it is temporary and will change again. Regardless, your tank is overstocked despite filtration, having grown together etc. it is just too many large fish (not even done growing!) for the tank size. How many gallons?
Good luck!

 

[freeme]

I'm glad it's all settled down. Our Bala has always been the biggest fish and has periods of being a jerk to other non bottom dwelling species before it settles down. It hasn't chased anything for several years now though and I think it was probably amplified by the fact they would normally be in a group of their own kind, where they could squabble amongst themselves.

I don't have any real clue as to how old either species can get. I had a quick look and it doesn't seem uncommon for silver dollars to reach their mid twenties and I did find, albeit a different species to the one I have, one that was 40 years in captivity. We did lose the other two silver dollars in their mid to late twenties, so I think that would be a good ball park number but neither the silver dollar or the Bala shark look their age in anyway.

Thank you,
Another guy with almost same fish as us but 30 years old amazing. with a younger Bala contacted us to say he's had same problem when his younger Bala was a similar age after a few days it all went back to normal.
OMG Yesterday lunchtime everything just went back to normal. Today you would never believe there had ever been a problem. Everyone is calm again doing their fishy thing. We were desperately trying to find a new home for him.
Only worry now is his are still going strong after 30 years we worried the fish will out live us.
I'm so glad he told us what happened to him and exactly same happened. Very grateful for support and hope to remain members