Expert: Nick - 6/23/2008

Question
Hi,
I placed a Bala Shark into a new aquarium. It is a 20gal for now, and I know that I will have to upgrade once the fish grow. The bala seemed slow to adjust, and seems afraid when I come anywhere near the aquarium. It doesnt eat when I put flakes, and freeze dried medley of meat. It may eat it 20-30 minutes later. The bala is not that active either. I have had it for 3 days now. I do not overfeed the fish. It also lives with a marble molly. The molly is more active and responds to food quicker.
Is this normal?

Answer
Try feeding Hikari Bio-gold pellets as a staple, with frozen brine or blood worms. The best thing to entice him to get at first would be either frozen tubifex, or live earthworms. Cut it into appropriate sizes. But do not feed earthworm more than once.

Just because he isn't big yet doesn't mean he can be kept in a big small tank. He will never grow out in that tank, because is growth will be permantely stunted and disease may soon overtake him. Balas can reach full size in under a year. You should get a 125g in the next 2 months or return the bala, because in that time enough damage will have been done to permanetly damage him.

-Nick