Molly Back Problems

[mollylver]

I have 2 female and one male molly in a ten gallon tank. The tank is salted and the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate is at proper levels according to the local pet shop's testing. The one female that dosent look pregnant and the male seem to have back problems. They do not swim well and it looks as if they cannot move their backs. One can swim to a decent degree while the other only seems to be able to get above the gravel during feeding. Do they have an illness and if so, can I do anything about it? Thank you very much.

 

[ox5477]

What do you mean appropriate levels? If they are "appropriate" then they should equal:

• ammonia = 0
• nitrite = 0
• nitrate < 40 or 50 ppm
• pH around 7 to 7.5

If they are different from this they are not appropriate and could be causing probs with the fishs health. Mollies seem to be really sensitive as when I had them they would get sick very easily and alot of them are deformed.

 

[mollylver]

The nitrate is at about 50 ppm but that is the only diffrence. I'm wondering why the pregnant molly is the only one that is not sick. Thanks.

 

[WILDER]

Are there spine bent.

 

[mollylver]

Thank you for a response. Yes, the spine of the male is particularly bent.

 

[WILDER]

You put nitrite 50 do you mean nitrate.
What your tap nitrate reading.
Bent spine born that way, or fish tb to internal parasites.
Check the anus to see if it's enlarged or red and inflamed.
Check what it looks like when the fish goes to the toilet.

 

[mollylver]

Yes yes yes. Opps. That would not be good. Thanks for catching that. The tap water is acidic so I add a bit of ph up whenever changing water but it reads no nitrite, ate, or ammonia.

 

[WILDER]

Don't mess with the ph it's not worth it.

 

[mollylver]

The water is very acidic. When I test it it reads 6.4, which is the lowest on the strip I use. I'm afraid to put anything in such water.