Is my fish dying?

[BlackLavafishy]

I just picked out 4 fish last night from PetSmart. I think it is a female and thought she might even be pregnant. She is sitting on the bottom of the tank looking as if she has hiccups. There is a good filter and I think it keeps my tank well oxygenated..I have only had it set up for 2days. I am ordering a heater today. Any advice ?

 

[fluttermoth]

It will almost certainly be a build up of wastes in the water, because your filter isn't what we call 'cycled'.

In a cycled tank, there are good bacteria living in the filter, which eat the fish's wastes and stop the water becoming toxic. It tales around six to eight weeks to cycle a filter.

You'll have to change at least half the water, every day, making sure the new water is warmed and dechlorinated, until you can get test kits for ammonia and nitrite, and read up on the nitrogen cycle; our 'Cycle Your Tank' sub-forum has some great articles to get you started..

What sort of fish are they and how big is the tank?

 

[BlackLavafishy]

It will almost certainly be a build up of wastes in the water, because your filter isn't what we call 'cycled'.

In a cycled tank, there are good bacteria living in the filter, which eat the fish's wastes and stop the water becoming toxic. It tales around six to eight weeks to cycle a filter.

You'll have to change at least half the water, every day, making sure the new water is warmed and dechlorinated, until you can get test kits for ammonia and nitrite, and read up on the nitrogen cycle; our 'Cycle Your Tank' sub-forum has some great articles to get you started..

What sort of fish are they and how big is the tank?

I jabe four mollies in 1+gal

 

[BlackLavafishy]

I have four mollies in 10
gal

7

 

[fluttermoth]

Mollies grow quite big; they need a tank that's at least 20 gallons.

Are they looking any better after a water change?

 

[BlackLavafishy]

Mollies grow quite big; they need a tank that's at least 20 gallons.

Are they looking any better after a water change?

Noooo!!! Now the big guy is falling over too. I am just gonna hope the other two do well and keep trying.

 

[fluttermoth]

Might be a good idea to do another water change; as you don't have test kits, there's no way of telling how much ammonia might be in the water. Even after a 50% change, it could still be too high.

As long as you temperature match (just roughly) and dechlorinate the new water, you can't do too many water changes.

 

[BlackLavafishy]

Thanks for the advice! I ended up with two perfectly healthy Mollies after two died. I took them back and picked up some live plants in exchange. The male loves to play and has made a path in and put of the decor. How fun!