Help _Young Molly Spinning Out Of Control

[fishnovice]

One of my young 2cm mollies in fry tank is acting strangely swimming almost vertically up to the surface, then nosediving vertically to the bottom spinning round and round all the time as it goes down- sort of like a small plane does when it's shot down in old WWII movies.It seems to do this for a while, then go back to normal swimming and even scavenging tank bottom for food. First noticed this odd behaviour last tight. Was afraid it might be the dreadeed molly shimmies so added a spoonful of aquarium salt to the tank and it seemed OK after that. Now it's started spinning again.Did the usual weekly 50% water change yesterday morning so water should be OK
- What's going on?
- Is this a disease and is it contagious?
It's in the fry tank with assorted fry who all seem OK.

 

[SlyPolak]

As far as I know you are supposed to do well over 1 weekly water change in a fry tank. Water should be prestine.. if I was you I would do more like 3 or 4 water changes a week around 25% each. As far as I know with the baby "freaking" out, it could be something with its swim bladder...just wait a little longer for more of a "professional" response. If you can wait till tomorrow morning I know Wilder should be on here to help you out... Good Luck

 

[WILDER]

How many gallons is the tank.
How many fish and which type.
Water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.

Spinning can mean, bad water quality, swim bladder, internal parasites, external parasites, toxins, the fish is dying, ph shock, brain damage, bacterial.

Does the fish look bloated or thin.
Can the fish maintain balance in the water.
Any signs of darting or erratic swimming.
Any signs of flicking and rubbing.
What do you feed your fish.

 

[fishnovice]

Thanks Wilder
How many gallons is the tank - approx 10
How many fish and which type -assorted fry molly sword guppy
Water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.- will check tomorrow but shoiuld be OK as water is changed regularly

Spinning can mean, bad water quality,toxins, ph shock - unlikely as water changed regularly and other fry, even much smaller are OK
swim bladder, the fish is dying, brain damage - possible causes???
, internal parasites, external parasites,
Does the fish look bloated or thin.- no
Can the fish maintain balance in the water -yes except when spinning.Otherwise swims and even feeds normally
Any signs of darting or erratic swimming - only the spinning
Any signs of flicking and rubbing- no
What do you feed your fish -fine powder fry food which I've used for months, brought up all my fry successfully on it with high survival rates. Grew into healthy adults

 

[WILDER]

Check water stats as it's the first thing to look at.

Also check all fish when they go to the toilet.
Check the anus is not enlarged or red and inflamed.

Livebearers can pass internal parasites onto there young.

 

[fishnovice]

Molly is still alive and spinning from time to time but appears fine between spins. It really upsets me to see her - is there a cure or anything I can do? I've added a little salt. Should I dose the whole tank with EDSH 2000?

Check water stats as it's the first thing to look at - Stats Ok and did another 50% watwr change today just in case
Also check all fish when they go to the toilet - no sign of any poo yet, difficult to see in fry
Check the anus is not enlarged or red and inflamed - no anus is OK not red

Livebearers can pass internal parasites onto their young -got these moollies as 1cm fry. No idea if mum was infected with parasites although the tank I got them from looked clean and fish in it healthy. Spinning molly's siblings seem OK and healthy so far

 

[WILDER]

I would maybe think of worming your fish for internal parasites.
What's your location?