Mass Molly Death!

[vandrez]

I have a 22 gallon tank that was home to six mollies,one angel and two snails for the last 3 months. (The snails were added about 3 weeks ago)However over the last 36 hours My mollies have been dying. I have lost 4 already and the other 2 look extremely sick....

Symptoms:
1) They turn inactive, swim less, stay at the surface of the water,
2) Most of them are found dead on their backs at the bottom of the tank.
3) Some have a white powdery substance (very small amount) on their fins

The angel seems to be doing fine, so are the snails. Please help me figure out what could be wrong and what should be done. I did a 30% water change yesterday after I found 3 dead.

They were all absolutely fine 3 days ago.

 

[anon02]

It would be easier for members to help you if we knew more about your water chemistry, what are your test results for ammonia, nitrite, how often do you do water changes and how much, do you clean the substrate at water changes, when did you last clean your filter, have you noticed the throuhput dropping
Most mass deaths can be attributed to poor water quality
Is the white dust on the dead fish like grains of salt, do any of the other fish show signs or is there any scatching on decor or substrate, do any of your fish suddenly swim madly as if stung

 

[vandrez]

It would be easier for members to help you if we knew more about your water chemistry, what are your test results for ammonia, nitrite, how often do you do water changes and how much, do you clean the substrate at water changes, when did you last clean your filter, have you noticed the throuhput dropping
Most mass deaths can be attributed to poor water quality
Is the white dust on the dead fish like grains of salt, do any of the other fish show signs or is there any scatching on decor or substrate, do any of your fish suddenly swim madly as if stung

I do a 30% water change every week. I clean the filter every week as well. I am guessing the water quality must be bad then. The white dust appears as a tiny spec(s) on the fins of the fish. By the time these specks start to show the fish looks a little unwell and swims in a shaky manner.

Unfortunately we don't get any instrument in the LFS out here, to measure the water condition, hence there is no way for me to analyze the ammonia and nitrite content.

Should I do a massive water change like 70%-80%??

 

[anon02]

I would make it a priority to get a liquid reagent master test kit, surely your lfs will order one in for you or maybe off the internet, in your position I would aim at doing a 25% water change at worst every other day even better every day if you can manage it, until you can test the water
As for the dust on the dead fish, I would keep an eye on the remaining fish for any out of the ordinary behaviour or appearance
Where are you by the way, maybe a member from the same place could help you out with a supplier

 

[vandrez]

I would make it a priority to get a liquid reagent master test kit, surely your lfs will order one in for you or maybe off the internet, in your position I would aim at doing a 25% water change at worst every other day even better every day if you can manage it, until you can test the water
As for the dust on the dead fish, I would keep an eye on the remaining fish for any out of the ordinary behaviour or appearance
Where are you by the way, maybe a member from the same place could help you out with a supplier

Will try the water changes. Unfortunately I lost another molly and the last one seems to have developed a few white spots on him. I am based in Mumbai, India and will ask the LFS to check if he could probably order one in for me. Thanks for all your help