Patchy Molly

[Elecktricka]

Hi there,

Any help, or even confirming I am a batty worry wort will be great appreciated. Fonzy, my black male molly seems to be changing colour. Me and my partner first noticed this yesterday and have been monitoring him for behavioural changes as well as physical changes. He seems fine and is still eating, however he seems to be turning from a beautiful black colour to a bluey/grey colour. He is eating fine and socialising fine. So, just maybe being over bearing fishy mum! Who knows. I've attached all details I can plus also attached 2 pictures that show how he is affected. We have been using Melafix since yesterday, and removed the carbon. However not sure if using this will be a help or hindrance (link to this: http/aquariumpharm.com/Products/Product.aspx?ProductID=56).

Tank size: 68 ltrs (15 gallon)
pH: 7.6
ammonia: 0ppm
nitrite: 0ppm
nitrate: 40ppm

tank temp: 25 degrees celsius

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):
Discolouration on sides and tail, clamped tail fin. Eating as normal, nothing else adverse.

Volume and Frequency of water changes:
10% weekly, 50% once per month. Last water change (50%) was Wednesday 3rd August 2011. A measured dosage of tap safe as per litres of water used for each and every water change.

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank:
None.

Tank inhabitants:
11 assorted mollies (4 males, 7 females).

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration):
2 lyretails, (over space of 2 weeks to avoid spikes and cycling issues), 4 new plants and a bit of bog wood. Plants/bogwood cleansed in old tank water before entering aquarium. Plants were added to reduce the amount of nitrates in the tank.

Exposure to chemicals:
None

This tank has been set up for 5 months now.

Digital photo (include if possible):

First Pic

Second Pic

I cannot work out how to add pictures direct and my PC won't allow me to upload them so have had to post the links instead.

 

[squeeky_jane]

You seem to have high nitrate levels, this can stress you fish. Poor water quality can cause fish to change colour however I don't think he is changing colour, more looking pale from stress. Do you have any salt in your tank? Mollies need salt and this could be your answer! He could also be suffering from stress if they other males are picking on him for dominance.

Edit; to add pictures, you need to use an other site like flicker/photobucket. The click on the little photo symbol 2 along from the smiley face above the txt you are typing then add the link to the picture.

 

[Elecktricka]

Water quality is fine, we only have high nitrates, which are reducing now by the day due to more plants being introduced . Regular weekly water changes also reduce this down. We do not use salt as we have been told that Mollies do not necessarily need the salt, but is something we could look into. What are the signs of a stressed fish? We do have one dominant boy, but the girls in the tank are a lot more dominant and bossy than the boys ever are.

"First Pic" and "Second Pic" underlined and towards the bottom of my original posts are clickable links to my photobucket album

 

[squeeky_jane]

Water quality is fine, we only have high nitrates, which are reducing now by the day due to more plants being introduced . Regular weekly water changes also reduce this down. We do not use salt as we have been told that Mollies do not necessarily need the salt, but is something we could look into. What are the signs of a stressed fish? We do have one dominant boy, but the girls in the tank are a lot more dominant and bossy than the boys ever are.

possible signs of a stress fish included hiding, collapsed fins, becoming pale, loss of Appetite and fast breathing!

 

[Elecktricka]

His tail fin is clamped and he appears to be turning bluey/grey. He's still socialising and mating, has an appetite and his breathing is as normal as the rest, but will keep an eye out for any changes in these areas. Thank you. Just concerned that this could be something fungal and don't want to be treating him incorrectly.

 

[Elecktricka]

I forgot to add, sorry. He is sometimes flashing against the filter, etc. No visible signs of white spot or ich in the tank (as in the salt grain type signs).

 

[squeeky_jane]

Yeah I would keep a close eye on him too and put some salt in the tank! Good luck

 

[Elecktricka]

Think he is dying to be honest. When we got in from work this evening, poor fonzy is just lying down, hardly swimming, breathing very very gently. He has gone right down hill since this morning. Absolutely gutted :'(

 

[XeroTolerance]

Sorry to hear this. The second picture seems like he is staying away from the fish. Did you add any salt?

 

[Elecktricka]

Nope no salt yet. Experienced fishy man at local lfs advised Pimafix and melafix combination. He did start moving about a bit more, just now about half hour after treatment but he's lying back down again and breathing shallowly again. Think he might be going. On writing this he is moving about a bit again so I'm hoping he'll pull through.

Ps to add, fishy man thinks it is fungal

 

[XeroTolerance]

I hope that he pulls though...

 

[Elecktricka]

Just a question regarding the salt, can anyone recommend the salt to use? Well aware not table
Also how much do you use? My tank is 15 gal. Thanks for any help.

 

[XeroTolerance]

This is what you need. http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10850845&lmdn=SHOP+FOR#prodTab1

After you get it buy a one gallon bucket. Then add a gallon of tank water into the bucket. After, add a tsp. of the salt into the bucket. Get your fish and while staying in the net lower it into the bucket. Leave it at most for 15 minutes. Make sure you have your hand over the net to avoid having the fish jump out. If at anytime the fish jumps take it out and return it to the tank. Do this 3 times a day.

 

[Elecktricka]

Is that like salt bathing the fish? Sorry, thought you meant about adding salt to the entire tank as opposed to treating just him.

 

[XeroTolerance]

Any aquarium salt will work just fine.