2 Questions..

[dzsigmond217]

ok..question one:

Every time I do a water change in my tank my 2 mollies goto the surface as if gasping for air. But its only when I do a water change..in between changes they act normally swimming around..is this ok?

question two:

The platys in my 7 gallon tank are making white super stringy poops. They didn't do this before I moved them to the 7 gallon. Again, why.

Thanks all!
Dianne

 

[Colin_T]

no to question 1. The fish are gasping at the surface because there is either no oxygen in the new water, or there is chlorine in the new water and it is damaging their gills causing them to suffocate. Make sure any new water going into the tank is dechlorinated before it goes in. Also make sure it has a similar temperature and PH to the tank water.
If possible aerate the water first for a few minutes. This helps get the dissolved gases to a more normal level in the water before it goes in the tank.

Q2 they probably have an internal digestive problem. Possibly worms.

 

[dzsigmond217]

no to question 1. The fish are gasping at the surface because there is either no oxygen in the new water, or there is chlorine in the new water and it is damaging their gills causing them to suffocate. Make sure any new water going into the tank is dechlorinated before it goes in. Also make sure it has a similar temperature and PH to the tank water.
If possible aerate the water first for a few minutes. This helps get the dissolved gases to a more normal level in the water before it goes in the tank.

Q2 they probably have an internal digestive problem. Possibly worms.

I do use a dechlorinator in the water before I put it in the tank. I also make sure the temp is the same. How do I aerate the water?

What could cause an internal digestive problem? I'm giving them the same food as before..the other 3 platies that were with them aren't having this problem..what can I do to make them better?
Thanks Dianne

 

[WILDER]

Do you have an airstone in the tank.
Long stringy white poo can be constipation, bacterial infection, internal parasites.
What do you feed your fish?

Internal parasites signs are.
Being thin or bloated.
Long stringy white pook, or clear mucas poo.
Red inflamed anus to enlarged anus.
Worms prutruding from the anus.

 

[dzsigmond217]

Do you have an airstone in the tank.
Long stringy white poo can be constipation, bacterial infection, internal parasites.
What do you feed your fish?

Internal parasites signs are.
Being thin or bloated.
Long stringy white pook, or clear mucas poo.
Red inflamed anus to enlarged anus.
Worms prutruding from the anus.

No..I don not have an air stone in my tank..guess I'm going to get one now!

I feed my fish a mix of 'tetra algae' vegetable enhanced crisps (because i heard the vegetable flakes would be good for there digestion), tetra tropical flakes and perhaps once a week some freeze dried blood worms.

The fish are neither thin,bloated..have no inflamed or enlarged anus and there is definitely no worms coming out of their butts! They look completely fine. Could they just be constipated and should I try feeding them peas?
Thanks for any advice! Dianne

 

[WILDER]

Cook some frozen peas for a few minutes, let cool down, pop out of shell, mush between fingers into small pieces and add to the tank.

 

[dzsigmond217]

How often and how much of the peas should I give them?
I gave them 1 mashed up pea last night and an hour or so later some regular brown poo came out along with some of the white.. I hope this is a good sign!