Bala Fish Behavior - Advice Needed

[Bittyfishy23]

Hi All,

I'm looking for some advice on my Bala Sharks, I am a novice (but expert googler!) and I'm stumped with this behavior. Two days ago I moved from a 30gal tank to a 60gal tank. During the move I lost my biggest Bala Shark (6-7 inches long, ~1 year old). He jumped from the 5 gallon holding bucket as I was trying to relocate him (super bummed about it). My other two Balas (3-4 inches) have not been same. My other fish have settled into the tank nicely, but my Balas have been glass surfing along the reflection side of the tank endlessly. I haven't seen them stop or eat. If my other fish swim near them, they will join the Bala's surfing but always go back to their usual business.

Is this stress/trauma from losing "Big Bala"? Is there anything I can do to reduce stress?

Current tankmates: 1 Pleco, 1 Panda Cory, 2 Angelfish, 1 Rainbow Shark.

Side Note: I know that my 60gal isn't big enough long term for the Balas. My husband started the 30gal tank for my 3 year old and I've taken it over; baby steps!

 

[Deadeye]

Welcome to the forum!
As you’re aware, balas need a lot of space. One dying can play a role, but I’d sooner think that the new tank is stressing them out more. Usually when fish are put into a new environment, they get stressed and disoriented, and it can take a few days (even weeks) to get settled. Keep the lights dim and provide plenty of cover.

 

[Bittyfishy23]

Welcome to the forum!
As you’re aware, balas need a lot of space. One dying can play a role, but I’d sooner think that the new tank is stressing them out more. Usually when fish are put into a new environment, they get stressed and disoriented, and it can take a few days (even weeks) to get settled. Keep the lights dim and provide plenty of cover.

Thank you so much!

 

[tlindsey]

Thank you so much!

Welcome aboard

 

[SilverArowanaBoi]

Welcome to the fun group! I'm just wondering...why do you have only one panda cory? Did the other ones pass away, or has it been alone this entire time?

 

[Bittyfishy23]

Welcome to the fun group! I'm just wondering...why do you have only one panda cory? Did the other ones pass away, or has it been alone this entire time?

Hi there! Thanks for the welcome. We started with 5 Pandas. We had some tank water issues for the first 6 months-ish and it caused us to lose 3 of them during that time. Not sure exactly what happened to the 4th, he was fine one day and the next morning all that was left were the armour plates. I chalked it up to the tank getting over crowded.

My lone ranger has been doing alright over the last 3-4 months, the plan is to get a few more once the tank settles.

 

[SilverArowanaBoi]

Hi there! Thanks for the welcome. We started with 5 Pandas. We had some tank water issues for the first 6 months-ish and it caused us to lose 3 of them during that time. Not sure exactly what happened to the 4th, he was fine one day and the next morning all that was left were the armour plates. I chalked it up to the tank getting over crowded.

My lone ranger has been doing alright over the last 3-4 months, the plan is to get a few more once the tank settles.

Ah, I see. When I used to have corys, I found my Schwartz Cory dead under a rock randomly with part of his body gone...never understood how that happened as I didn't have anything large enough (or aggressive enough) to eat a cory at the time. So I can relate to the mysterious Cory deaths lol.