Help A Dying Fish

[Dean_89]

My balloon molly is lay at the bottom of my tink and struggling to breathe. By its gills and part of its mouth is covered with some greyish/whitish thing. No idea what it is. Someone in the tropical discussion thread said it could be fungus, although it could be, the greyish thing isn't "candy floss like and puffy." Think I'm resigned to it dying anyone any suggestions as to what it could be? or how it can be healed?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[WILDER]

its columnaris.
Uk Myxazin by waterlife and pimafix.

Is the mouth rotting away.

Size of tank in gallons or litres.
How many fish and which type.
Water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.

A link for you.
http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/hdcolumn.htm

 

[Dean_89]

its columnaris.
Uk Myxazin by waterlife and pimafix.

Is the mouth rotting away.

Size of tank in gallons or litres.
How many fish and which type.
Water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.

A link for you.
[URL="http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/hdcolumn.htm"]http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/hdcolumn.htm[/URL]

thanks for the reply Wilder. The mouth looks like its rotting away poor guy is struggling to swim and didn't bother moving when i fed earlier. Would it still be worthwhile buying the product and if so how long would you imagine it would take before it gets back to its normal self?

Size of the tank is 50 litres. Got 4 platies, 2 balloon mollies and 3 corys.
Water stats no idea...added the tetra safestart if that helps

 

[WILDER]

Once the mouth starts to rot away is usually best to destroy the fish. Not nice I know.

Get water tested at lfs and ask the to write the readings down for you.

Take a look at this link.
http/www.articledepot.co.uk/article-29320.htm

 

[Dean_89]

Yeah was thinking of putting it out of its misery. And with the last link you posted i think its best. Wouldn't want the other fish catching it.

 

[WILDER]

Sorry but its not sounding good. Now that he's struggling to swim aswell.

Water changes on the main tank for the next few days.
Columnaris lives in the back ground of the tank, thats why is so important to keep up with water changes.
A fish can soon break out in columnaris if its stressed, bad water quality, overstocked tank, unstable temp.

 

[Dean_89]

It seemed fine the fish yesterday, didn't notice out. Just seen it this morning hiding which i thought was very strange. Once i remove it what would you suggest i do so the problem doesn't occur again, other than get my water quality checked?

 

[WILDER]

A gravel vac and water change.
Keep a close eye on the rest of the fish.

To end a fish life I find this method the best.

Jug of cold water and add ice cubes till the water freezing cold. If no ice cubes put the jug in the freezer till a thin sheet of ice appears on the top.
Place the fish in the freezing water. It won't take long for the fish to pass away.
Check gills are no longer moving. Leave the fish awhile in the jug just to make sure its passed away.

Get water tested.
Buy some liquids test kits of your own as not all lfs are to be trusted.

 

[Dean_89]

Did a water change before but i'll do another one tomorrow aswel.

Was going to ask the best way to kill it, dreading doing though

Will buy a water test kit aswel...also would you suggest me buying the product you suggested before as a precaution to this happening again?

 

[WILDER]

I always keep a whitespot and bacterial med in stock just in case.