Dalmation Molly Help

[Druzilyn]

Hello, I bought a 10 gallon tank the water levels are right ph and everything. I just recently bought two Dalmatian mollies a male and female. Yesterday the female was chasing the male around I was worried but read it was to show dominance or she didn't want him breeding her. They stopped today when I went to work so I ignored it. When I came home I checked on them and noticed that the male was laying sideways on the bottom of the tank. Thinking he was dead I went to net him out and he swam away. I was watching and noticed that his left fin don't seem to be working, and my ghost shrimp push him upright when he falls down. I don't know what to do to place him into another tank or leave him in the tank or what might have happen or if he will die or be okay. any help is much appreciated. I'm highly worried about him. thanks

 

[clay]

i would make a hospital tank. and then put some water from the main tank into there with a filter and see if it turns into an infection or if it heals. i would also look into getting a bigger tank. it looks much nicer, the fish will be happier, and there is more room to work with . also there will be more places for a fish to hide if it is being harrassed to moch.

 

[Druzilyn]

Well he seems to be swimming around more is it possible that she banged into him and he got a sprang or something? I live in a apartment so a 10 gallon is pushing my "no pet" limit. I have two mollies and four ghost shrimp, and don't plan on getting anymore fish for this tank. He started using his left fin but don't move it as fast as the left one, and seems to just want to lay sideways. and when he does swim he swims upwards.

 

[clay]

hmm. he could be just a little banged up. if he is still swimming odd in a week then he might be permanently maimed.

 

[Druzilyn]

Thanks, I don't know now he is laying sideways and breathing hard so I guess it is just something that time will tell. If he does go *which I hope he does not* I'm kinda worried about getting another one, I don't want my female hurting another one....

 

[clay]

you could have a mean female. i had a few back when i owned livebearers. i would see if your lfs( local fish shop).
would trade you out or take the female off your hands for you. i would try to get the female if you are sure that it is her attitude instead of the environment.

 

[Druzilyn]

Well ending to this he did in fact end up dying in the night =(

 

[clay]

sorry for your loss.