Lethargic Black Shark.
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 5:08 pm
Hi guys, long time no talk..err, type. I've got a bit of a question for shark keepers. I bought a large black shark yesterday and he is acting strangely. Black sharks are a relative of the rainbow shark and red fin shark and they're generally active fish, but this guy is lethargic. Where I purchased him is not the most reputable, but it is the only place around where you can get them. I'm not sure of his age, but he is approx four to five inches long, which would mean he is anywhere between two to five years of age depending on aquarium size and food types. I haven't noticed him eating and he's been staying in the same corner of my QT since he came home yesterday. I thought maybe he was cold since he was huddled up by the heater, but when I adjusted the heat up to 78 it didn't make much difference. He's not showing any outward signs of infection or even so much as abrasions on the fins. But, I have noticed he's afraid of everything. I was going to put him in the 55gal for a while before I moved him up to the larger set up I've been working on, but I'm worried to put him in a tank with other small fish that he thinks are going to eat him. He's in a QT right now with a small pictus cat and he swears it's going to kill him. I was wondering if anyone knows a little more than I do about these guys and maybe I'm just missing something? These fish should still be pretty active at this size and shouldn't be terrified of other fish. Sharks are known to be a little territorial and cause a ruckus when somebody gets too close. I'm also wondering if maybe it was due to his prior tank set up. Where I bought him, he was in a small ten gallon tank with a VERY large pleco. I know they can cause some problems as they get larger. I'm not sure how he was housed before he was kept at the fish shop. Most of the fish they carry are fish given up by previous owners who can't house the larger breeds. (Example: oscar the size of my head in a similar tank)
Anyways, fish aren't like cats and don't hold too much info to really care, ect ect. I was wondering if maybe this could be a parasite? He seems to be a pretty thick fish, no signs of malnutrition, colors are slightly faded, however. I have an anti parasitic, but I'd rather not dose him with it and risk getting him sick from that if that isn't what's going on. Any input at this point would be great.
Anyways, fish aren't like cats and don't hold too much info to really care, ect ect. I was wondering if maybe this could be a parasite? He seems to be a pretty thick fish, no signs of malnutrition, colors are slightly faded, however. I have an anti parasitic, but I'd rather not dose him with it and risk getting him sick from that if that isn't what's going on. Any input at this point would be great.