Lyretail molly seems really

[Koda]

I noticed my lyretail molly was listless and staying at the surface.When he did swim he wound up clinging to the filter intake a couple of times.I started to do a partial water change since that often seems to be the first suggestion.But I saw that my guppy was picking at him.When I tapped the glass to make the guppy move the molly didn't respond at all.So I moved him to a one gallon setup that I had planned for a betta.It has a filter and air.Now he's just lying on the bottom.

I am baffled.I am new to keeping fish but I don't see any obvious signs of disease.Any suggestions would be welcome.I was midway into the water change when it dawned on me that I should have tested the water first...but it was fine when it was tested yesterday.I just don't know what's wrong.

Koda

 

[Koda]

Hmmmm....maybe he's got a chance.I let him rest a few hours and just kept an eye on him.Offered a bit of food just now and he darted around and grabbed a few bites.Now he's chillin' at the bottom again but looking a bit less dazed.Guess I'll leave him in his little hospital room and if he pulls through he may have a new home

Koda

 

[tstenback]

Mollies can be pretty fussy about water conditions and when they are not up to their standard they will get sick quickly. Keep up the water changes in the main tank and feed them a variety of food. Keep an eye on him for ick as mollies get this very easily when stressed. I have always had a hard time with mollies in a community tank but in a species tank i have no problems at all. Just finicky fish i suppose. Good Luck

 

[Koda]

Thanks for the reply.The molly is still hanging in there in the smaller tank and I am watching the 5g closely.I wonder if the fancy guppy was just being a bully,not caring to share the space with the molly.He doesn't seem to be bothering the neon tetras...so far.I could always try moving him out and letting the molly stay in the 5g and see how that goes.Or I could just leave the molly in the smaller tank.I'll have more options after I get my 55g out of layaway.Thanks again

Koda

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

you could also try adding aquarium salt..not table salt...rock salt would be ok if you can get that...mollies like brackish water so it may perk your molly up abit

 

[Koda]

you could also try adding aquarium salt..not table salt...rock salt would be ok if you can get that...mollies like brackish water so it may perk your molly up abit

When I went looking,the only product on the shelf was "Instant Ocean".It's synthetic sea salt.I've only been using it in very small amounts so it doesn't seem to be doing any harm but I'm not sure it's doing any good either.I use about a tablespoon per 10 gallons of water.Is that ok or not?

Thanks..

Koda

 

[Koda]

I really thought he was going to make it but he didn't.My kid will be heartbroken cause this was one of his favorites that he chose himself

Koda

 

[tstenback]

SOrry for your loss. But with your child, if he/she has not seen the dead fish you could rush out and get another. I have done this in the past and if the child is young enough you may pull it off.