Arowana and Bala Sharks
- Thread starter Masa_Rov
- Start date
Great thread!
The contrast between the top swimming Arowana and the balas schooling is very beautiful. However, I thought I could give you a little update on the Silver arowana's increasingly aggressive behavior toward the balas:
The Aro has attacked the balas in only one area of the aquarium and only shortly after feeding. It started yesterday afternoon with somewhat lazy lunges at the balas swimming in the vicinity. This afternoon it was clearly in earnest.
The balas are very fast, but this evening two of them had a very close encounter with the silver's mouth. Right after feeding, these two balas were swimming the length of the tank, with their bodies very close together, tails almost locked, and at times slightly vibrating. I don't kno what they were doing: Territorial behavior? The slightly larger one was the one initiating these encounters. They are about three or three and a half inches in length.
When the balas were at it in the Aro's corner, she lunged at them and almost, almost got one of the Balas' tail.
I have not observed the Aro's aggressive behavior in any other area in the tank or at any time except shortly after feeding time. I should mention that the Aro does take the trouble to descend half the depth of the tank in her lunges at the balas.
It is too early to tell what will happen, but I am afraid about where this is going. I can only guess that right now it is only territoriality that makes the Aro aggressive, since it is confined to only one area of the aquarium.
When and if the Aro bits the bullet, so to speak, and half a Bala is floating in the tank, I'll post a note.
Masa
The contrast between the top swimming Arowana and the balas schooling is very beautiful. However, I thought I could give you a little update on the Silver arowana's increasingly aggressive behavior toward the balas:
The Aro has attacked the balas in only one area of the aquarium and only shortly after feeding. It started yesterday afternoon with somewhat lazy lunges at the balas swimming in the vicinity. This afternoon it was clearly in earnest.
The balas are very fast, but this evening two of them had a very close encounter with the silver's mouth. Right after feeding, these two balas were swimming the length of the tank, with their bodies very close together, tails almost locked, and at times slightly vibrating. I don't kno what they were doing: Territorial behavior? The slightly larger one was the one initiating these encounters. They are about three or three and a half inches in length.
When the balas were at it in the Aro's corner, she lunged at them and almost, almost got one of the Balas' tail.
I have not observed the Aro's aggressive behavior in any other area in the tank or at any time except shortly after feeding time. I should mention that the Aro does take the trouble to descend half the depth of the tank in her lunges at the balas.
It is too early to tell what will happen, but I am afraid about where this is going. I can only guess that right now it is only territoriality that makes the Aro aggressive, since it is confined to only one area of the aquarium.
When and if the Aro bits the bullet, so to speak, and half a Bala is floating in the tank, I'll post a note.
Masa
Great thread!
The contrast between the top swimming Arowana and the balas schooling is very beautiful. However, I thought I could give you a little update on the Silver arowana's increasingly aggressive behavior toward the balas:
The Aro has attacked the balas in only one area of the aquarium and only shortly after feeding. It started yesterday afternoon with somewhat lazy lunges at the balas swimming in the vicinity. This afternoon it was clearly in earnest.
The balas are very fast, but this evening two of them had a very close encounter with the silver's mouth. Right after feeding, these two balas were swimming the length of the tank, with their bodies very close together, tails almost locked, and at times slightly vibrating. I don't kno what they were doing: Territorial behavior? The slightly larger one was the one initiating these encounters. They are about three or three and a half inches in length.
When the balas were at it in the Aro's corner, she lunged at them and almost, almost got one of the Balas' tail.
I have not observed the Aro's aggressive behavior in any other area in the tank or at any time except shortly after feeding time. I should mention that the Aro does take the trouble to descend half the depth of the tank in her lunges at the balas.
It is too early to tell what will happen, but I am afraid about where this is going. I can only guess that right now it is only territoriality that makes the Aro aggressive, since it is confined to only one area of the aquarium.
When and if the Aro bits the bullet, so to speak, and half a Bala is floating in the tank, I'll post a note.
Masa
The contrast between the top swimming Arowana and the balas schooling is very beautiful. However, I thought I could give you a little update on the Silver arowana's increasingly aggressive behavior toward the balas:
The Aro has attacked the balas in only one area of the aquarium and only shortly after feeding. It started yesterday afternoon with somewhat lazy lunges at the balas swimming in the vicinity. This afternoon it was clearly in earnest.
The balas are very fast, but this evening two of them had a very close encounter with the silver's mouth. Right after feeding, these two balas were swimming the length of the tank, with their bodies very close together, tails almost locked, and at times slightly vibrating. I don't kno what they were doing: Territorial behavior? The slightly larger one was the one initiating these encounters. They are about three or three and a half inches in length.
When the balas were at it in the Aro's corner, she lunged at them and almost, almost got one of the Balas' tail.
I have not observed the Aro's aggressive behavior in any other area in the tank or at any time except shortly after feeding time. I should mention that the Aro does take the trouble to descend half the depth of the tank in her lunges at the balas.
It is too early to tell what will happen, but I am afraid about where this is going. I can only guess that right now it is only territoriality that makes the Aro aggressive, since it is confined to only one area of the aquarium.
When and if the Aro bits the bullet, so to speak, and half a Bala is floating in the tank, I'll post a note.
Masa
Masa_Rov said:
Great observations Masa.
Exactly what ive observed and learned throughout. Even though an aro is a surface hunter, it can and will learn to strike downwards to chase any available prey. Bottom dwelling catfish and stingrays have learned how to take food from the surface in the aquarium.
Its practicing right now.. when the aro gets bigger, the balas might become chow. Or they might be buddies. Who knows... just keep a close eye on the aro when it outgrows the balas further.
buddah101 said:I keep two 10" bala Sharks with my 18" Silver aro and never had a problem!
Big bala
arowana
I like the silver !
