HELP! Molly isn't swimming...

[randallpie]

Our female Gold Panda Lyretail Molly has been acting very strange...

Tank size: 10 gal.
pH: approximately 8.2
ammonia: 0ppm
nitrite: 0ppm
nitrate: 5-10 ppm
kH: ? (tested months ago, and was good)
gH: ?(tested months ago, and was good)
tank temp: ? We have an auto heater that just shuts on and off to keep it within the range for tropical fish. It has been on more than usual because it has been getting colder outside . (new mexico)

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):
Last week, to the day, she started swimming really weird, like she couldn't keep herself straight. That got worse over the next day, and she seemed to be swimming vertical, and floating uncontrollably. She would manage to swim down to the bottom and rest against the rocks, relaxing for a few seconds. She has damage to the end of her tail, where it looks like she got nipped. Her face/gills are more red than usual. At that point she was hardly eating, but still trying. She always ate the most, and had a big belly, so we thought that could be related and stopped feeding her for a few days, and we got a mesh tank divider and quarantined her, (although the guppy could slip through) for a few days, but she just rested on the bottom. She's always on the bottom of the tank. At first we thought she had swim bladder disease, but she never ate the pea pieces we tried to give her. Now she just lays on the ground gasping for air but not moving otherwise. Has no energy to swim, wont eat. We are really worried she will die, but also sort of hopeful, because she has pulled through for so long already.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: We usually do about 25% change a week, but since this happened, we've been doing that about every other day, and keeping an eye on it. The parameters all seem normal, and even cleaner than normal, recently.

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: We add Stress Coat Water conditioner with every water change, and use a bio-filter. We used to try and lower the pH with a pH down acid, but it didn't really move much, and they have been happy for months.

Tank inhabitants: There is a Tequila Guppy who has been her buddy since the beginning. He follows her almost everywhere, protects her, and it seems like he mates with her, or at least tries... We added two white long fin tetras and a black long fin tetra a few weeks before it happened. The tetras were a little feisty at first, but have calmed down. The molly who is having problems was always a really big eater

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): We recently cleaned our fake plants, and took a few out, since it was a little crowded.

Exposure to chemicals: I have no knowledge of anything other than maybe a little dust and oils from hands when cleaning, even though we wash them well.

Digital photo (include if possible):

 

[marnold00]

Please can you specify the values for GH and KH? What is good for one specie of fish may not be good for another.

Mollies prefer harder water - even brackish water (water with a higher GH and KH)

Also red gills can be a sign of ammonia poisoning. How long has your tank had these fish? And was the tank cycled properly?

Id say avoid chemicals that lower pH. This can cause fluctuations which is more harmful to the fish than good. Adding peat to your filter and driftwood to the tank can lower it, but with mollies you do not need to do this.


For now id say do a very large water change and do this daily. Make sure you add conditioner to the water that removes heavy metals, chlorine etc.

Get the hardness values and people on here will advise if theyre too low and you can start increasing it (increasing is far easier than decreasing). The guppies will do fine in hard water.

Also, what temperature does your heater keep the tank at? Some tropical fish prefer warmer temperatures to others. There isnt a one size fits all tank temperature. If need be go and get a cheap tank thermometer.

 

[randallpie]

I would have to go to the pet store to get the GH and KH. When we got it checked last it was pretty hard, as the water here tends to be. We use a PUR filter for the water we give them, and add conditioner. The ammonia is 0, and has been since we successfully cycled a few months ago. We haven't used any pH lowering chemicals in a long time. We have been doing frequent changes, but will do more, if we can.

Our heater says it keeps it between 76 F and 80 F. It's not adjustable, and I don't want to buy another one.
I would look into buying a little thermometer, though, if it's really worth it, and could be an issue without one.

Thanks for your reply, we are hoping to get some answers quickly, before it's too late...

 

[marnold00]

I spent £2 on a thermometer and if anything it'll let you know if your heater breaks!

Unfortunately im not the most experienced, but i know one thing... Water changes water changes water changes.

Do some daily 50% changes. We want to make sure that the water is perfect. If you can, ensure the water is exactly the same temperature as the tank water.

Im afraid to say it does sound like some swim bladder issue/dropsy research will be your friend here - i havent had to deal with it yet.

Use what you find online, not what the store tells you to do to treat it.


What i would suggest is to take your tetras back to the store and get some credit, then once this passes up the stocking levels of guppies.

Tetras prefer soft acidic water and im concerned that your harder high pH water would be too much for them. Additionally, for tetras to thrive they need to be in groups of 6-8 minimum which for a 10gal is going to be tricky. Now is a good opportunity to take them back before they get whatever your molly has (if its contagious).

I would say stock it with 5 more guppies to make it 6 once the current situation has passed. Very pretty fish. Go all male if you dont want hundreds of babies. They'll be fine. They may nip a little at the start whilst they sort out their hierarchy.

Additionally, mollies can get very large. Probably too much for a 10 gal again. I have an 18 gal and my largest fish are my cories which will be 2.5 inches fully grown and im worried even now that there isnt enough tank space for them. If youre going community in a 10 gal i'd say get a lovely shoal of 6 guppies or 8 endlers you can also add some shrimp and snails and it will be beautiful but all of this after the current situation

 

[nic1]

It's not dropsy as she is not pine conning.
How long have you had her for? On average they live for 1-2 years, a well kept for fish (I.e with perfect water conditions and living conditions for that specific fish) will live for 3-4 years. In the wild they can live for 5+ years.
It's always difficult to gauge the ages of fish if they weren't born in your tank, she could just be old.
In my experience, once they lay around like that it's only a matter of time before they die. Keep on using the divider so she doesn't get pecked at, keep the water clean and warm.