what is in this tank

Question
have a ten gal tank. Has been set up for three weeks. Have four starter fish in it. Used water from the store for tank water, Have now a white spider web like stuff floating at the bottom. One fish has died. what is this. No visible signs on dead fish. Only that he had not been eating. thin compaired to other of the fish. Looked all over in the inter-net and found where other people had this in their tank but no one knew what it was. any help appricated

Answer
Hi Charolette;

Whitish stuff on the bottom is usually from decaying food being infected by saprolegnia, a water mould. It can be hard to see the food anymore as the saprolegnia takes over. It can happen in new tanks as the fish become stressed and stop eating from "New Tank Syndrome", so excess food builds up. Four fish is quite a few to start a tank with so make a 25% water change right away and gently vacuum the gravel. It will remove excess solid waste and lower the waste toxins in the water so the fish feel better. Change 25% of the water again tomorrow and do it again the following day for a third day in a row. Cut back on food too. The fish may not be eating as well right now and the excess will just decay again. Here is a link to my page about new tanks to help you more;

http://www.xanga.com/Expert_Fish_Help

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins