Looking for Info

[johnnybegood]

Recently stocked a tank running for 3 weeks, which had plants and 2 starter fish living comfortably. The following day a golden sword (male) died, however he did look to good when I released him from the bag. (i think that was stress related) But I also have a male and female Black Molly, which now look like they are stressing. (three days later)
What is the general time line for signs of stress?
Do Molly's show any physical signs of stress?(body posture) (Male Molly's tail fin is not fanning out and has a slight upward curvature, sits motionless with head up higher than tail, lethargic and it appears as though they are having a harder time breathing than the sword's, looks very similar to a fish dying of old age)
What should I look for in a water testing kit? (for a newbie/oldie)
30 gal tank
sorry no the chemical data!

Any thoughts

 

[Wiggler 1]

Welcome to the forum...your questions on your condition of fish, since It might be they are real sick or even dying would be better suited in Tropial fish emergencies section of forum...you will get a quicker responce from some one that can help you.....If you are new to aquariums and not sure about cycling a tank then the beginners section would be helpful to you too.....questions they will ask you will probiblly be if you cycled your tank and if you conditioned water, if you can get a water test kit get it they will want to know this to (if you have no kit ,take a sample to your fish store and ask them to sample it...)
Im fairly new at this cycling tank stuff but I did what I read on the forum and it works.
Hope this wil help you and your little ones take care