Molly help - not looking well

[CJonline]

I'm not sure what is wrong with my molly, I hope someone here can help. It looks like the scales on her tail are raised. Its only on her tail and only with this fish. It doesn't seem to be hindering her swimming or anything. Also her gills look red to me, though my son says she has always looked that way.

We got her about 2 months ago and had her in the 10 gal until we put her in the bigger tank about 3 weeks ago. I don't remember her looking "odd" to me, I wouldn't have moved her over if she did. (These are my son's fish and I don't see them everyday)

I tested the water and its normal (0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 5-10 nitrates, 6.8 ph and the tank is kept at 78) There is no salt in the tank, and there are only three mollies in that tank. Its a 29 bow front and has been set up for months now.

Any ideas on what it is or how to treat it?

 

[CJonline]

No ideas?

 

[oscarchic11]

ive heard mollies like brackish water, so id try adding salt, but im not sure how much. i havent had any luck with mollies, they only last a couple months any time i get one... good luck! id ask around and see how much salt to add.

 

[CJonline]

It's my first time keeping mollies. I thought they were like most fish, but I'm quickly finding out they aren't. Thanks for the advice, I'll look into adding salt to the tank.

I was trying to find out if she is sick and I need to treat the tank. I guess since no one knows, and all the reading about sick fish i have done this weekend hasnt given me any answers, I will let things go and see if she gets worse or if another fish gets sick. I hate to do that though.

 

[animals970]

I have some questions.
What is the male/female ratio ? It is better with 1 male 2 females.
What other fish are in the tank ?
Has she had any babies?
If you have other fish you might not want to put salt in the tank. And mollies like their pH 7.0-7.8 (yeah pretty acidic). They thrive at 7.2
Trust me I keep mollies.

 

[CJonline]

The ph is 6.8 to 7.0. That is what it is in all my tanks, I have done nothing to mess with what it is naturally where I live. I have 2F/1M and they are the only thing in the 29 gal. One of them had babies a week or so ago, not sure who though. I saw some very small babies in there the last water change but none since.

These are something my son picked out for the tank in his room. I don't see them very much and it is becoming clear that I need to rehome them but I don't want to do that if she is sick. Have you ever seen anything like this?

 

[oscarchic11]

Look up symptoms of dropsy, aka bloat. It causes the scales to pinecone, or stick out. Just a thought. Hope she gets better!!!

 

[CJonline]

I looked it up and everything i read said it was bloating or swelled stomach. She doesn't have that at all.

I hope she gets better too.

 

[oscarchic11]

One of the main signs is the scales sticking out so thought id have you look. Ill keep tryin to think of what it may be....

 

[CJonline]

Whats the best way to treat dropsy? With meds right? Would it hurt to treat the tank "just in case"? I hate to medicate unless I have to but I can't think of anything else to do to help her and I don't want anyone else getting sick - they may already be sick but I just don't know it yet.

 

[oscarchic11]

I would pull her out of the tank and quarantine her just in case. Its generally a good idea to isolate any sick fish unless its something like ich that lives in the tank itself...

 

[DavidAl]

This is Flexibacter columnaris. Kanamycin in the tank or potassium permanganate baths for 30 minutes. Kanamycin will not disrupt the biological filtration. Seachem makes Kanaplex and so does Dr G. A dose every other day, for a total of four doses will take care of this. Columnaris loves warm water so keep it around 75 and add some aquarium salt. I have eradicated this gram negative bacteria with Kanamycin. Good luck.

David

 

[CJonline]

This is Flexibacter columnaris. Kanamycin in the tank or potassium permanganate baths for 30 minutes. Kanamycin will not disrupt the biological filtration. Seachem makes Kanaplex and so does Dr G. A dose every other day, for a total of four doses will take care of this. Columnaris loves warm water so keep it around 75 and add some aquarium salt. I have eradicated this gram negative bacteria with Kanamycin. Good luck.

David

I have Kanaplex here, so I will start tonight. Is this something that is in the tank, should treat in the 29 gal or can I pull her and put her in the sick tank and treat just her? I would hate to treat her and put her back in only to have her get it again because it is in the tank.

Thanks for your help.

 

[oscarchic11]

Considering how long she has been in the tank and showing symptoms you should prob treat everyone. And if the tank is in a childs room where it isnt seen often maybe you should move it to a more communal space where you can monitor them better.

 

[CJonline]

My son is 15, not really a child, that is why I don't go in his room everyday. I started treating today, once it is done I will see if I can't find a new spot for the tank.

Thanks for the help.

 

[oscarchic11]

I see. Well i hope she gets better soon.

 

[DavidAl]

Hi,

This kind of bacteria can live in the gravel so I would treat the whole tank, as has been suggested. Have faith in Kanacyn; it works really well. I have had great success with it.

David