Black Molly....

[nataliemc]

Hi everyone!

Okay... my black molly is poorly!! I have been researching for a week now and I can't come to any conclusion other than that it is some sort of worm or parasite. I just don't know what type of worm/parasite etc so I really don't know how to treat. Could it be a tapeworm? But can you see these on the outside of the body???

I have managed to take some pictures... one of which is below. If you would like to see more please go to this link Black molly photos.

I noticed it about 3 weeks ago, when he had a bit of a film over his eye too. So i thought it was cotton wool. I treated for cotton wool, the film over his eye went, but the white shaped worm thingy stayed and it is getting bigger. I have also tried adding salt to the tank, but as I have clown loaches I was only able to put two teaspoons of salt in.

It's probably about 1cm in length and it is raised from the body, just behind his left side fin, so it is away from his gill. I've looked very closely and i can't see the worm/parasite moving (if that's what is), no other detail either like markings/head etc. It's just pure white and completely smooth/markless.

He's not as active as he was. He's still eating. And I have seen him on a couple of occasions just resting at the bottom, not usually for long. I am worried and want to try and get this sorted before it gets any worse.

Can anybody help?

 

[nmonks]

Simple question: do you have him is brackish water or fresh water? Contrary to popular misconception, mollies need to be kept in brackish water. Some people keep them fine in freshwater, it is true, but that's the luck of the draw and nothing else. Mollies ALWAYS do well when kept in brackish water, as opposed to SOMETIMES well in freshwater. See this pinned topic.

Now, if you don't have salt, go buy some Marine Mix salt of the sort used in marine tanks. NOT "aquarium tonic salt". Then, add 3-5 grammes per litre of water in a bucket, stir well, and add to the aquarium. This will make the water brackish, and your molly will immediately begin to get better.

Note that most freshwater fish are intolerant of brackish water. Other livebearers (like guppies and platies) are fine, but tetras and most catfish don't like salt. This is why mollies are not good community fish, despite being widely sold.

Cheers,

Neale

 

[nataliemc]

Hi, thanks for the reply.

It is kept in freshwater, unfortunately I had no idea they are best kept in brackish water and was also told by LFS it is community. I have had him for about two years, so have since learnt to do my own research and not listen to the LFS!!

I have tried adding a little salt to the water but only two teaspoons as I have clown loaches, to corys and a plec. Because of the clown loaches i was told only to add half a teaspoon per 10 gallons. I believe it's rock salt that I have bought and was told it was suitable for marine and tropical.

 

[nmonks]

I'm afraid to say that your LFC has been telling you rubbish. They often do, sadly. Whether this is deliberate or mere ignorance is a different story.

Anyway, fundamentally clown loaches, plecs, and mollies are not compatible. A plec will tolerate a little salt, though it isn't particularly good for them, but as far as I know clown loaches are completely intolerant of salt. I'm not sure the workaround. Ordinarily, I'd recommend moving the molly to another tank, if that's an option.

What is your pH and hardness? Mollies need a high hardness and a pH of at least 7.5.

Have you added any anti-fungus or anti-finrot medication? Some do both, and those would be worth using, but clown loaches can be intolerant of some medications, so you might want to ask in the loach section about that.

Rock salt will do in the short term, but when you're done with it, buy proper marine mix. The price difference is trivial and it is so much better over the long term. I wish shops would stop selling rock/tonic salt.

Cheers,

Neale

Hi, thanks for the reply.

It is kept in freshwater, unfortunately I had no idea they are best kept in brackish water and was also told by LFS it is community. I have had him for about two years, so have since learnt to do my own research and not listen to the LFS!!

I have tried adding a little salt to the water but only two teaspoons as I have clown loaches, to corys and a plec. Because of the clown loaches i was told only to add half a teaspoon per 10 gallons. I believe it's rock salt that I have bought and was told it was suitable for marine and tropical.