funny behavior

Question
I have a newly set up 29 gallon tank. I set it up a week ago and got a bala shark for the tank yesterday. His behavior is very strang right now. He is set vertically right next to the heater with his head facing down. I have the basic knowledge of how to set up aquariums and know about all the possible cycles and tested basically everything I know to test in the water from ph, to ammonia, nitrate, hardness, etc. and they all came back normal. The fish doesn't look that unhealty besides this strange behavior. I obivously wont add more fish to the tank until this is sorted out.

Answer
Hi Matt,

When I see fish "hugging" the heater, it often indicates that they are cold. Remember that heaters can only raise the water temperature about 12-18 degrees from ambient temperature, so if it's really chilly in your house, the heater might have difficulty keeping up.

Most likely, your aquarium is still in the breaking in phase and the water quality is not perfect yet. Ammonia is the most toxic in an aquarium, so hopefully it tests 0 ppm, but nitrite is toxic too and also needs to be 0 ppm. Some test kits say that 0.25-1 ppm of ammonia or nitrite is "stress" level, but in reality, any presence of these levels indicates a tank that is still cycling, and being in an uncycled tank can be deadly for any fish. Adding 1 teaspoon per 5 gallons of aquarium salt (which is the same as grocery store kosher salt or sea salt) will help if any ammonia or nitrite is detectable.

I'm glad you're not adding any more fish just yet. I would be changing 25-50% of the water every few days for a couple of weeks, this will keep down any ammonia or nitrite that might be detectable, which will help your fish to feel more comfortable. Don't feed much during this time, if when you feed a tiny pinch (like about as much food as fits on your pinky nail) the bala shark ignores it, don't bother feeding more, as it will likely just sink to the bottom and pollute your tank, and you'll need to vacuum it up! Fish eat when they are feeling comfortable. If your bala shark is not eating, don't be too worried - it should begin eating in a few days. If not, you can write back.

Do check out this website, with tips about and photos of bala sharks:
http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Shark,%20Bala.htm

I hope that helps, take care!
Nicole