My Black Fin Shark is Dying!?

Question

I have had my tank set up for over 2 weeks now and there have been no problems. I have 2 iridescent sharks and 2 black fin sharks [both catfish I know] I was told the iridescents would end up being tough to keep alive but I haven't had any problems with them either. But now my smallest black fin shark is lying on the bottom alot and swimming to the corners of the tank. She won't swim unless something provokes her, and now she is swimming on her side and back as if disoriented. I've been feeding them Tropical Flakes. Their water is a little dirty and that is the first thing I was going to do, but I don't know if that might hurt my sick fish more. I tried isolating it and feeding it to see if the more aggressive fish were keeping food from it [the iridescents are ravenous] but she didn't eat then either. What should I do?

Answer 1

Maybe your shark is pregnant

Answer 2

Dirty water causes alot of problems for fishes.I suggest you clean the water and place some de-chlorination chemicals just to make sure the water is suitable.

Then recheck the pH of the water, for red-finned sharks, it should be around 6.5-7.5.Remember, water pH would change over time due to many factors like food and waste so in the 2 weeks, the pH might have become intolerable to that particular shark.

For your shark, i suggest you feed it with smaller bits of food which are easier to swallow, just like for sick human patients..maybe brine shrimp that are pounded.

Continue diet for about 3 weeks and see if there is any improvement.Try using a barrier to prevent the other sharks from stealing the ''hospital food'' you feed your sick shark.

Answer 3

Odds are very high you are seeing the effects of ammonia accumulating in the tank. Thats just the first fish to show signs. Do the water change, but also test the water for ammonia or have it tested at the pet shop. As the tank matures, it will develop bacteria to handle the ammonia, but until that time you will have to control it through water changes. Here's a link that explains well what's going on in your tank and how to deal with it effectively.

http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php

Hope that helps and best of luck !

MM