white spots on my fish...

Question
1) set up for 2wks
2) 55gal
3) 4 Gold Mollies; 2 Gold DoJo's; 2 sharks; and a blue lobster (he's around 3.5-4" long and currently missing a front claw)
4)not exactly sure what type filters--have 2 of them though
5)unsure of the levels in the tank
6)haven't had to change the water yet, but plan on doing bi-weekly partial changes, replacing 10-15gal each time

My question is this...I have had the fish in the tank for 5 days now. The sharks have developed white spots...each day though, they seem to get a little worse. Now instead of just being white spots, it looks as though it's a yeast infection (like thrush on a baby's lips--for lack of better way to explain). All of the other fish are doing great--the sharks are even doing great! (Granted, the lobster tried to eat one of the sharks on day 2, but only succeeded in taking off most of the tail--the shark seems to have suffered no obvious debilitations from this encounter). What do I need to do to make my sharks better? Thank you in advance for your help.

Cari

Answer
Hi Cari;

If the spots initially looked like salt specks it is a parasite called ich. Your fish store should have a remedy for it. If it looks more like blotches, it could be a bacterial infection or could simply be from "New Tank Syndrome" because your tank is still in the break-in period. The ammonia level in the tank is rising in this first stage of break-in so it really should be tested. Make 25% partial water changes as needed to keep it safe for the fish as it continues through this tough process. Sometimes changes need to be done daily to keep the fish healthy until this process is over. The nitrite level will rise in a week or two also so test and keep testing every day. To know more about the break-in period, here is a link to my article on new tanks to help you through it;

http://www.xanga.com/Expert_Fish_Help

If your sharks are the type that have long whiskers and they are silver with black tips on their fins, they have skin trouble because they need salt in their water. They will need a bigger tank soon too because they grow to be over a foot long. The bigger they get the more salt they need, eventually being in water that is about halfway between salt and fresh. Your other fish can't tolerate that much salt so the sharks need their own tank of about 150 gallons. Here is a link to more info about them to see if it's what you have;

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile63.html

The lobster will probably start eating your fish soon. Especially once he grows his claw back again. They are very aggressive predators and often catch fish at night as the fish "sleep" near the bottom of the tank. Freshwater lobsters really should be in a tank of their own when you have fish that are vulnerable to being eaten by them.

I hope your sick ones get better and good luck with that lobster...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins