Mollies

[Galaxy]

I introduced 6 mollies into my tank on Saturday after 2 weeks fishless cycling.

So far so good although I noticed that one of them (a small dalmation) has a tendency to lie on the bottom of the tank for long periods of time (several hours). It does swim around at times and has eaten both times I have fed the fish so far Is this a danger warning or is this common behaviour?

 

[Cheese Specialist]

It's not normal but it could just be them getting used to the tank. Takes fish a little while to settle in. As long as it's eating, I would not worry too much about it for now.

 

[Galaxy]

Dalmation Molly is no more. When I arrived home from work yesterday instead of lying on the bottom he/she was floating on the top.

Worryingly another molly has started exhibiting the same behavior of lying on the bottom for long periods. It does respond to food for a time and then returns to its slumber. The four remaining fish are all fairly energetic and seem happy enough.

After the death I tested water and all results seemed ok. I did a 25% water change anyway.

I fully expect the second fish to have passed on to a better place before I get home this evening.

Any thoughts people??

 

[tstenback]

After the death I tested water and all results seemed ok. I did a 25% water change anyway.

What are the readings? How long has the tank been set up and cycled? i really think that the tank did not cycle as you were using fish food as the ammonia source and it takes several days minimum for this to breakdown into ammonia and you stated that you did this for 2 weeks and then took your readings. I think you may be just starting to cycle. We really need that ammonia reading. Also do a 50% water change right away as a precaution until you can get the ammonia reading. Most fish can make it through a cycle but it takes a lot of dedication from you and tons of water changes. Keep us posted.

 

[Galaxy]

Tank was set up for 2 weeks before the fish were introduced. At that time all readings were zero. (Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate) Like you I was unconvinced that the tank had cycled (see earlier post) as there was no nitrate present. However LFS insisted that it would be ok to introduce mollies at that time. Yesterday after the dalmation died I did a test for ammonia and there was barely a trace and I did a 25% water change at that time.

On a positive note the second molly has perked up today and is swimming around with the others again. Fingers crossed!

 

[tstenback]

I really do think that you are in a cycle right now so make sure you check the levels daily and do a 25% change dialy until the ammonia and nitrite are both zeero and you have a measureable amount of nitrate. Good Luck

 

[Galaxy]

Just an update really.

24 Hrs later five remaining fish still alive and doing well .
3 out of the 5 are definately more energetic than the other 2. I am not sure yet about telling males and females apart but I have a notion that the 2 less active fish might be female. Is this typical??

 

[K-Holed]

Males tend to be more active in as much as they weill persue the females. The females will just tend to sort of float around the tank. It should be fairly easy to tell them apart. The male will have a gonopodium, this is a small tube like thing under their bellies (it's actually a modfied anal fin)

MALE

FEMALE

 

[Galaxy]

Thanks for the pics.

It would appear that I was right that the males are the more active. I now have three males and two females. I know this isn't ideal and once the tank has definately finished cyclin I will introduce a few mor females. The dalmation that died was also a female, since then the girls have been outnumbered.

 

[Galaxy]

Continuing the water changes -25% per day and testing the water daily.

Ammonia-0.5ppm
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-0
pH-7.2

One molly still very subdued. Spends most of time lying on the gravel, however does respond to food or when badgered by other fish. Other four remaining fish very active. Never having kept fish before this fish behaviour does concern me. I still think that the poorly molly is going to die it and it is only a matter of time. Perhaps the loss of the first molly is making me pessimistic.