Iridescent Shark and Bala Shark Quesitons

[Jim]

Hello everyone:

I have two issues regarding my iridescent and bala sharks.

First off, I have a 90 gallon freshwater passive community tank.
Water quality is excellent, slightly salted, hovering around 81
degrees F. I do regular weekly 10 to 15 % water changes once a week
religiously. There is also subdued lighting on the tank.

Fish in the tank are rainbows, angels, various types of tetras,
swordtails, gouramis, 5 balas and 3 iridescent sharks.

I'm proud to say that I have not had a single fish death in 7 months.

Now here are my questions.

1. I've had my 3 iridescent sharks for 6 months now, and from day 1 of
the purchase, ONE of the iridescents loves to retreat in the sucken
ship. So much so in fact that he stays there all day and all night
and he only comes out when it's time to feed. He eats like a pig,
then makes his way back into the ship. The other two iridescent
sharks are quite socialble. The bottom line is that he seems happy,
healthy, and fat, except that he lives in that friggin' ship. Is this
normal ? Should I do something to flush him out or should I just leave
well enough alone.

2. Two of my balas are 6 inches long, and each time it's time to feed,
they start this "rubbing against each other" ritual. They can do this
for hours, even after feeding. Is this some kind of grooming, mating,
or territorial dance?

Any light anyone can shed would be appreciated.

Thanks all.

Jim.

[Elaine T]

Jim wrote:
<snip>
> 1. I've had my 3 iridescent sharks for 6 months now, and from day 1 of
> the purchase, ONE of the iridescents loves to retreat in the sucken
> ship. So much so in fact that he stays there all day and all night
> and he only comes out when it's time to feed. He eats like a pig,
> then makes his way back into the ship. The other two iridescent
> sharks are quite socialble. The bottom line is that he seems happy,
> healthy, and fat, except that he lives in that friggin' ship. Is this
> normal ? Should I do something to flush him out or should I just leave
> well enough alone.

Leave well enough alone. These sorts of quirks in fish are what makes
fishkeeping fun.

--
__ Elaine T __
><__'> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Jim]

Elaine T > wrote in message >...
> Jim wrote:
> <snip>
> > 1. I've had my 3 iridescent sharks for 6 months now, and from day 1 of
> > the purchase, ONE of the iridescents loves to retreat in the sucken
> > ship. So much so in fact that he stays there all day and all night
> > and he only comes out when it's time to feed. He eats like a pig,
> > then makes his way back into the ship. The other two iridescent
> > sharks are quite socialble. The bottom line is that he seems happy,
> > healthy, and fat, except that he lives in that friggin' ship. Is this
> > normal ? Should I do something to flush him out or should I just leave
> > well enough alone.
>
> Leave well enough alone. These sorts of quirks in fish are what makes
> fishkeeping fun.

Thanks for the advice Elaine ... I've read up on many of your posted
messages and think you definetly know the aquarium buzz ... by the
way, any suggestions regarding my balas?

[Elaine T]

Jim wrote:
> Elaine T > wrote in message >...
>
>>Jim wrote:
>><snip>
>>
>>>1. I've had my 3 iridescent sharks for 6 months now, and from day 1 of
>>>the purchase, ONE of the iridescents loves to retreat in the sucken
>>>ship. So much so in fact that he stays there all day and all night
>>>and he only comes out when it's time to feed. He eats like a pig,
>>>then makes his way back into the ship. The other two iridescent
>>>sharks are quite socialble. The bottom line is that he seems happy,
>>>healthy, and fat, except that he lives in that friggin' ship. Is this
>>>normal ? Should I do something to flush him out or should I just leave
>>>well enough alone.
>>
>>Leave well enough alone. These sorts of quirks in fish are what makes
>>fishkeeping fun.
>
>
> Thanks for the advice Elaine ... I've read up on many of your posted
> messages and think you definetly know the aquarium buzz ... by the
> way, any suggestions regarding my balas?

Thanks. :-) I leaned a ton here many years ago, then some more from a
very knowledgable fish store owner and co-employees where I worked. The
owner didn't want anyone giving customers bad information so he went to
great lengths to train us in all the basics. And of course from my own
tanks.

I've never kept balas which is why I didn't say anything. I suspect
it's territorial, but that's just a guess since I've never seen FW fish
groom and you haven't seen any eggs.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com