skip to main content
Software
Integrations
Mobile App
Expert Support
All-In-One Platform for Construction and Design
See Pricing
Schedule a Demo
Talk to Sales: (888) 316-4595
My builder uses Houzz Pro to plan the timeline and give detailed estimates and daily updates with photos of progress, and provide invoices at pre-agreed key points in the build. This made the whole experience much more efficient and stress-free.
Steve W.
Client of Cribbs Construction
Learn More
Ideas
Discussions
Houzz TV
Houzz Research
Sign In
Houzz Logo Print
Explore DiscussionsFeatured Home DiscussionsFeatured Garden Discussions
Aquariums
smex_gw

Bala Sharks

20 years ago

Hi All,

We had 2 Bala Sharks for a year, happy, healthy, and grew quite large in their 150 gallon underpopulated community tank. Regular water changes, cleaning of gravel, etc., all survive happy and healthy each time.

Until this last gravel cleaning and water change. By bedtime, the Balas were gasping at the surface for air. At dawn there was a funeral. All the other fish in the community made it, no problem at all.

Any ideas why they died? : (

My only thought is, they're gills got clogged with debris during the gravel cleaning. But I have no way to know if that's right or not.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Comments (4)

  • 20 years ago

    First of all, good for you for keeping them in a big tank like they need. I'm so sick of telling people they can't keep them in 10 gallon tanks with redtails and rainbow sharks, its unbelievable. Kudos :)

    If it was right after a waterchange, that this happened, it is probable that it has something to do with the new water. I doubt their gills got clogged...bala sharks are pretty sensitive to water params, and gasping can be a sign of poison, but along with other things. I suggest you test your tap water for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Test for pH too, just incase your water supply company decided to meddle with it (this happened to me recently, but out of pure pure luck I tested the tap as they were changing it...and I hardly ever test the tap pH). If you have any way to test your water for chlorine, definately do that. Water companies often add a strong dose of chlorine to clean the water every once and a while, so if you can't test for chlorine or other metals, add a huge dose of water conditioner to your tank and call to see if you can find out.

    I'm sorry about your sharks :( Bala sharks truly are magestic creatures that rarely find knowlegable owners with suitable living quarters. Yours did, but its a shame they didn't make it...

  • 20 years ago

    It certainly looks like one of those unexplained water problems caused by some thing totally out of your control.

    Keith

  • Related Professionals

    DeRidder Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Harrisburg Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Westerly Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Las Vegas Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Missoula Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Portsmouth Landscape Contractors · Florence Landscape Contractors · Houston Landscape Contractors · Williamsport Landscape Contractors · Effingham General Contractors · Hilton Head Island General Contractors · Tyler General Contractors · Detroit General Contractors · Williamsport General Contractors · Liberal General Contractors
  • 20 years ago

    I have had fish gasping up at top after a water change, too. First time this happened was about 5 years ago after a water change (just like yours) and gravel cleaning. My angels and gouramis and blue rams were really in distress by the time I found them. I set up an air pump and air stone. Oxygenating the water did the trick. Unfortunately I lost both blue rams, but the larger fish came back.

    Sometimes I think it may also be stuff that gets stirred up from the gravel.

    I've used this solution any time I've seen the fish behave this way (which is always after a water change) - which maybe has been 1/2 dozen times since 5 years ago.

    Not sure if this is what happened in your instance.

    Keep an air pump, tubing, and airstone at hand just in case.

  • 20 years ago

    The quote about the funeral was really funny. Its just the way you said it. I give all my fishes their proper burial as well.

0
Sponsored