RIP Queen of Death, my Black Molly

[AilyNC]

She's the only fish I have since the very first stock so maybe all the fish in Cycle, power cut, ICH, high temp was too much.

No sign she wasn't ok but I just found her dead at the bottom of the tank belly up. Yesterday the Nitrite was 0.2 so I did a 75% change. She was swimming about as usual. Tested water now and it's fine. All 0s.

Usually when another fish was about to die I'd know because she's start poking at them. Hence the Queen of Death title. She was very beautiful

 

[Essjay]

I'm sorry to hear that

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Oh hon, I'm so sorry. You've already been through so much and so many losses, it just isn't fair sometimes.

Swim in peace little molly.


Just know that it isn't your fault. You were given horrible advice when you first set up, and you've done everything you possibly could to turn it around. The cycle/ich/stress etc might be the cause, but livebearers are also raised in huge numbers in massive fish ponds abroad, and can be genetically weak as a result too. Either way, you did your absolute best for your fish and no one could ask more of you.

 

[AilyNC]

I got a shock really. Thought the deaths were behind but it was good too to realise that's it's been a few weeks and things have calmed down. The bigger tank will be set up right & with all the research and having here to support me - I know it'll be a better experience for me and the fish

 

[Ch4rlie]

Sorry to hear of your black molly, Queen of Death, we do get attached to some of our fish, shrimps or snails, some more than other but they all do have their own characters and personalities.

It’s all part of this hobby am afraid, but at least you gave them all good homes even if the start was not great but it’s what you do after a bad start is what counts.

 

[FishGuest5123]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[AilyNC]

Question?!

The filter flow from the spray bar is very weak today. So there's not much flow in the tank. Might be related to the fish death. But... I want to get a good gravel clean (ich) while I cleaning the filter. Can I just put all my fish (2 adult Platy, 6 Platy fry, 4 neon tetra) into a bucket of dirty tank water with an air stone & heater while I do this? I've never taken them all out before but it'll be much easier to give a good gravel clean if I remove plants and fish. Was gonna put plants & decor in a seperate bucket of dirty water.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Question?!

The filter flow from the spray bar is very weak today. So there's not much flow in the tank. Might be related to the fish death. But... I want to get a good gravel clean (ich) while I cleaning the filter. Can I just put all my fish (2 adult Platy, 6 Platy fry, 4 neon tetra) into a bucket of dirty tank water with an air stone & heater while I do this? I've never taken them all out before but it'll be much easier to give a good gravel clean if I remove plants and fish. Was gonna put plants & decor in a seperate bucket of dirty water.

Yep, you can catch and move the fish out while you do it. Make sure to cover the bucket with a towel or something so they don't jump out. You don't want to do the same thing every week or anything, since it would stress them out to be netted and relocated weekly, but for a one off deep clean, it's fine

I wouldn't uproot the plants though. Remove any that are attached to decor and put them in a different bucket of tank water, along with floating plants, sure. But any that are rooted I'd leave there and clean around them as best as possible. The plants have been through a lot already, being uprooted and moved might finish them off.

 

[AilyNC]

Cool thanks. I mostly concerned about moving fish and decor to really get at the gravel and suck up ich eggs. I still have the high temp going.

 

[ecarso10]

Sorry for your loss. We’re new to fish too and I can’t believe how invested we are. We are trying to prevent a death right now so just posted a massive story about it all.

There‘s so much involved although I am loving the sciencey bit of testing the water

Hopefully the deaths are behind you. Photos of her a lovely. She’s very regal

 

[AilyNC]

Sorry for your loss. We’re new to fish too and I can’t believe how invested we are. We are trying to prevent a death right now so just posted a massive story about it all.

There‘s so much involved although I am loving the sciencey bit of testing the water

Hopefully the deaths are behind you. Photos of her a lovely. She’s very regal

Hope your fish is ok

 

[ecarso10]

Me too! Will need to wait and see

 

[AilyNC]

And yes we get very invested. I got my tank on 8th July and I'm completely obsessed. Initially I went to the shop to get 2 fish and a bowl and thought my toddler would enjoy it. It's very much become my hobby though. I love staring at them when my boy is asleep and just unwinding doing that

 

[ecarso10]

And yes we get very invested. I got my tank on 8th July and I'm completely obsessed. Initially I went to the shop to get 2 fish and a bowl and thought my toddler would enjoy it. It's very much become my hobby though. I love staring at them when my boy is asleep and just unwinding doing that

Yes ours was end of June for my son’s birthday and me and the hubby are so invested. So much time disappears when watching them. It is very soothing

 

[AilyNC]

Did water change and got a real good gravel clean in. The filter barely had any flow from the spray bar but is much better now. I found at least two teeny new platy fry. I did think she looked like she never fully dropped her fry. Not sure if the newer little ones will be ok but they're hiding somewhere.