Aboutmichael mccorry Expertise I can answer questions concerning tanks, setup, display, maintence,filters, heaters, substrates, CO2 Systems, lighting, arrangements.
Also water quality, chemical makeup and altering water parameters.
I can advise on fish selection, how to arrange the tank to minimize aggression, water parameters for specific fish, breeding and raisning fry.
Feeding and nutrition.
Lighting both flourescent and metal halide and everything in between
Plants, selection, lighting and feeding requirements, CO2 Systems, and substrate selection as well as what plants will work with what fish.
Heating, and cooling the tank. Automating certain functions and what maintenence is necesssary to keep things looking good.
Fish diseases their diagnosis and treatment.
As well as other topics related to the hobby.
Experience I have been involved in Tropical Fish for over 30 years having bred or kept most everything that was out there at one time or annother.
I have worked in several shops and managed several more, I have owned my own shop for over 12 years and currently maintain more than 3000gals of fresh water and saltwater fish, plants and invertabrates.
I service tanks and respond to emergency calls.
I advise on design, placement and impact of displays and custom design and install whatever the client wishes.
I had a business within a business servicing systems for Dr;s,Offices, Restaurants, Hospitals, and private individuals.
Publications TFH
FAMA
American Cichlid Association
Education/Credentials I attended Clinton Comm. College and then went to work for the State of New York.
I also recieved training in the unrelated field of Law Enforcement.
I am a certified fish specialist both fresh and saltwater having attended seminars at the Backer Trade Shows in Atlantic City sanctioned by PPAC.
Awards and Honors I have won awards from the New York State Dept of Education and from the Govenors Office for Business of the Year in the Northern Tier.
I work as a consultant with the State assisting people who are starting a business.
Question We have a 55 gallon tank and have a bala shark that is acting wierd. It twitches and swims on his head. Sometimes he seems to be just fine and will swim normally but generally spends most of the day vertical. We have several other fish including another larger bala and they seem to be all fine. We had our water tested and pet smart and everything was fine. I have been researching this all morning and have found serval sites that say that it could be ich or bladder disease or too small of a tank. The shark is pretty small still maybe on an inch and a half long so I don't think the tank it too small yet. We are still new at having a larger tank and learing everyday so we really appreciate the help!!! Thank you
Answer jamiemae,
the tank is plenty big enough at this point for the bala shark.
it is difficult to say without actually observing the fish but I think we can rule out ick as the other fish would be effected and it would appear on the fish looking like small grains of salt.
It may be a swim bladder issue or it could be a parasitic gill infection as well.
if the latter the gill tissue would be inflamed so check that if you can get a look.
If I had to bet, I would go with the swim bladder issue, hard to tell exactly what issue it is.
you could isolate the bala and watch to see what develops or frankly, you can just leave it be.
i would tend at this point to leave it as it is and just watch, its not a good practice to treat the whole tank for one fish, so if you have a quarrentine tank you may want to put her in there and if treatment is needed thats the place to do it.
I wish there was a magic bullet for this but there is not however alot of the times the fish recovers on its own.
hope things work out.
