Dalmatian Molly Not Swimming

[Dieterl]

Help! I just set up a tank less than a week ago with 5 female mollies. I’m new to this but it’s important to me that my fish are happy and healthy. One of my mollies seems off. She doesn’t swim around and stays in the top corner near the heater. My other 4 mollies seem fine and swim around. At first all 5 seemed a little stressed but then after a day or two the other 4 started acting normal and exploring. I don’t really notice any bullying so I’m wondering if she is sick or maybe even pregnant? Can anyone help? Should I separate her into another tank? Thanks!

Tank size: 20 gallon
tank age: brand new
pH:
ammonia: safe (according to in tank monitor)
nitrite: I used testing strips but the colors changed after a minute so I wasn’t sure which color to reference.
nitrate: I used testing strips but the colors changed after a minute so I wasn’t sure which color to reference.
kH: I used testing strips but the colors changed after a minute so I wasn’t sure which color to reference.
gH: I used testing strips but the colors changed after a minute so I wasn’t sure which color to reference.
tank temp: 75 degrees


Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior): my Dalmatian Molly isn’t swimming around. She stays in the top corner by the heater almost 95% of the time. I don’t see any other issues with her.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: I set the tank up for the first time less than a week ago.

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: I used the stress coat to help balance the tank out

Tank inhabitants: total of 5 mollies (three black, two Dalmatian) and two mystery snails.

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): everything in the tank was added at once before the fish were added.

Exposure to chemicals: none

Digital photo (include if possible):

 

[speakerman3]

Unless you used filter media from an established tank, your filter hasn't had time to cycle yet. Also, did you use anything to remove chlorine or chloramine from your tank? Stress coat doesn't detoxify those chemicals that are used in drinking water. If your area uses chlorine, the chlorine has dissipated by this time, but you will want to age water or add treatment before adding it to the aquarium. If your area uses chloramine, you need to add water treatment.

I would recommend a large water change with treated (dechlorinated) water and getting some filter media from a friend with a tank to get your filter working. Also, check the instructions on the test strips you use so you can get valid measurements. I will bet that you have both ammonia and nitrite in dangerous amounts at this point. When you do a partial water change, be sure to put water of the same temperature in the tank and add a tablespoon of salt per five gallons. If the salt is well dissolved, your snails should be fine, and your mollies will benefit from it.

Be patient and stay willing to learn, and you will enjoy this hobby.

 

[Dieterl]

Unless you used filter media from an established tank, your filter hasn't had time to cycle yet. Also, did you use anything to remove chlorine or chloramine from your tank? Stress coat doesn't detoxify those chemicals that are used in drinking water. If your area uses chlorine, the chlorine has dissipated by this time, but you will want to age water or add treatment before adding it to the aquarium. If your area uses chloramine, you need to add water treatment.

I would recommend a large water change with treated (dechlorinated) water and getting some filter media from a friend with a tank to get your filter working. Also, check the instructions on the test strips you use so you can get valid measurements. I will bet that you have both ammonia and nitrite in dangerous amounts at this point. When you do a partial water change, be sure to put water of the same temperature in the tank and add a tablespoon of salt per five gallons. If the salt is well dissolved, your snails should be fine, and your mollies will benefit from it.

Be patient and stay willing to learn, and you will enjoy this hobby.

Thank you so much for the help! I plan on doing the water change and buying a better testing set. The strips I had kept changing colors. I also added an air stone and now she is resting on the bottom instead of at top. I think it’s bc the air stone is making the current too strong in her normal spot.

 

[emeraldking]

Usually, most mollies can be put in a uncycled tank. But it differs per individual molly specimen wether it can handle the rough water parameters. To avoid any risks, it was better to cycle the tank first. Put some live plants in it to get a better balance in the tank.