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Posts: 2
From:Grand Junction,CO, USA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-13-2004 03:48 PM         

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My new bala shark will "play dead". He sinks to the bottom just like he is dead then after a fews seconds he starts swimming again. Is this normal or is there a problem with him? Also he stays at the top of the tank with his mouth almost out of the water for long periods of time. And what should I feed him?

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posted 01-13-2004 09:13 PM         

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Hi REED122, No, this is definately not normal swim pattern. There are several possibilities. The fact that you mention "new" leads me to suspect PH shock from aclimating too quickly with a large PH change. However there are other possible causes like high ammonia or nitrite concentrations. It would also help to know how long the tank has been set up. As for food, flakes, frozen brine shrimp or blood worms are all good.

[This message has been edited by kc5gvn (edited 01-13-2004).]

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From:Grand Junction,CO, USA
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posted 01-14-2004 06:17 AM         

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How would I help with the PH change? Can I do anything for the fish? He will only swim straight up.

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posted 01-14-2004 07:22 AM         

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Hi REED122, Once they have gone into PH shock there really isn't much that can be done. There are several PH buffers on the market. The buffer I use is called Novaqua. In laymen's terms, a PH buffer does not alter the PH. It just more or less makes the PH invisible to the fish by keeping the PH from burning the protective slime coating off of the fish. After a fish has been shocked it will help ease stress but overall may not resolve the problem of the fish going into shock. PH shock is only a possible suspect. There are other conditions that can cause the same reactionKnowing how the fish was acclimated into the tank and the ammonia and nitrite levels would be necessary to make a more accurate diagnosis. In the mean time dosing the tank with a PH buffer would certainly not hurt.

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posted 01-14-2004 05:39 PM         

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hey kc i was reading about the ph shock.. does the same go for iridescents? because mine do that sometimes

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posted 01-14-2004 10:08 PM         

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Hi TL1031, All fish can go into PH shock. It's caused from rapid changes in PH. If your ID Sharks are showing these symptoms off and on over a long period of time it is most likely caused from something else like high ammonia or nitrite concentrations. Also if you startle ID Sharks they will show this type of symptom.

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posted 01-15-2004 07:58 AM         

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thanks kc. my ID sharks swim regularly.. jsut sometiems they lay there and then they will start swimming regularly.. is this normal behavior?

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posted 01-15-2004 03:16 PM         

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Hi TL1031, Your description sounds like normal swimming movement. The sinking motion that REED122 described and staying at the top with his mouth out of the water indicated something other than normal.

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From:Boston
Registered: May 2003

posted 01-15-2004 03:25 PM         

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My ID's just hid out oo. I notice they do it more when I am working at the computer because it is next to there tank. ID's get startled easily so they usually hid and "play dead" when they feel threatened

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