Silver Dollars; Bala Sharks; and Roseline Sharks

Question
I'm fairly new to having an aquarium and knowing the proper procedures concerning water quality, selecting appropriate fish for a community tank, along with common problems and/or mistakes made by inexperienced fish hobbiest. Recently,I noticed my two Silver Dollars and Bala Shark have what appears to be "bubbles" on their bodies and fins. After a failed attempt to rub them off, rather wrong or right, they continue to have these unattractive "bubbles". Could these "bubbles" be potentially contagious, an ailment, or possibly deadly? Or a result of poor water quality?

Answer
These bubbles are called ich.

They are caused by poor water quality. You should be doing 50% water changes once a week or 25% twice a week. They can also be caused by stress. Judging by them amount of fish you have in your tank....your tank should be at least 150 gallons. If it is any less than your fish will not live long. They may be small now but they do grow.

There are many treatments for ich. Just go to your local pet store and ask for an ich treatment and there should be at least a dozen option. My favourite is API Super Ich Cure, but there are others. Just don't use those miracle ich tablets, make sure you are getting drops or a powder.

-Nick