Is My Molly Gasping For Air?

[Autumn11]

I'm new to taking care of fish, and I'm trying to take the right steps to a healthy happy fishy. I've recently bought a 10 gallon tank and got it up and running with a heater (water is about 80-81 degrees), and API Stress Coat and Stress Zyme, and a bit of Aquarium Salt for my female Black Lyretail Molly. I have also purchased Java Moss and Rotala Indica plant. I waited 3-4 days before I slowly introduced my Molly to her new tank. I have no clue what type of light or how long one would need to be on for.

My primary concern is weather or not I waited long enough for my tank to "settle in" before I introduced my Molly. And I didn't get store bought gravel, I collected rocks from Lake Superior as my substrate and one very large rock to place in my tank. Considering I don't know much about fish behaviour I'm not sure if it means something when she "pecks" or "kisses" objects in the tank, she'll do it to anything. And now it seems shes gasping for air occationally (after being in there for about 12 hrs this started) and I'm finding this a bit concerning, I don't want her to die . She didn't start doing this until she stopped being so active; she'd swim all over the tank, idle for a moment, and adventure some more. Even though she'll gaspe for air from time to time she's still decently active. One thing I noticed was she would swim figure eight like patterns right next to the glass over and over again, does this mean something?

Thank you so much for any advice

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Gasping for air at the water surface is a classic symptom of toxic nitrite levels, common with adding fish to tanks that have not been cycled.

~95% water change ASAP, leaving just enough water to cover the fish on the tank floor (having given any heater at least 10 mins to cool down after being diconnected from the mains supply).

Your Molly is going to need a far bigger tank than a 10g long term, they should reach close to 12cm, at least a 3-foot tank is in order.

 

[Dazzler666]

Agree in that it does sound as though she maybe suffering from ammonia poisoning which i also suspect is because your tank was not cycled. Do you have any other fish with her?
Also, do you have a water test kit as ideally you will need one in order to check your water statistics i.e. ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH at the least really.
Also, id be careful of the stones you have collected, were they cleaned sufficiently, etc?
Definately do as larger water change as you can and you may have to continue this daily whilst your tank cycles.
I suggest you read on this site about tank cycling and understanding the relationship between bacteria and water quality, etc etc etc. truthfully, fish keeping is in my opinion as much if not more about research BEFORE doing things than anything else, well thats what i found out & the hard way!! .
Also, why you adding salt? I know they say mollies like salt (i have two in my 5ft tank and have kept others previously) but i wiuld nit add it to your tank. In particular black mollies require salt but a simple salt 'bath' once s month will suffice. Ive never ysed it in my awuarium & never will and ive had no problems with any of mine .... I think!!! Lol.
Your mollie swirling and swimming up & diwn is perfectly normal as mine do it regular. Also they are ysyally bug eaters and always hungry, dont overfeed and if her appetite feins then something is definately wrong hence back to water change & get your water tested.
Oh, personally my mollies didnt grow that large (max 3 inches) though i have sailfin now too but i dont think it requires a 3ft tank. 10 gallon for a single in my opinion is ok so long as its well looked after.
Good luck & fingers crossed!!

 

[Yorkie191]

I have a question so in my tank I have 6 guppy’s, 6 Dalmatian mollies and 12 neon tetras, they have been swimming near the top of the tank looking like they are getting air so today I went and brought an air pump and air stone and put that the opposite side to my filter thinking this would help but they seem to keep doing it? Does anybody know why this is??

 

[Byron]

I have a question so in my tank I have 6 guppy’s, 6 Dalmatian mollies and 12 neon tetras, they have been swimming near the top of the tank looking like they are getting air so today I went and brought an air pump and air stone and put that the opposite side to my filter thinking this would help but they seem to keep doing it? Does anybody know why this is??

Welcome to TFF. The thread you posted this in is old, from 2012. It would be better to start a new thread with your question so more members see it as such.

To your problem, we will need more data. Tank size (dimensions as well as volume), water parameters (GH, pH, temperature), how long has this tank been running, was it cycled first. Be as detailed as you can.

Have you tested for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and if yes what are the numbers?

Put this information in a new thread and members will be able to advise.