Molly Pineconed And Now Dead!

[kristins1877]

Last Sunday when I did my water change I had problems with bloating and I ended up losing my male ram. Thank you to all who helped and all the other fish semed to recover just fine. Yesterday morning when I fed all of the fish looked fine but last night when I checked on them my male molly was next to the heater and his fins were clamped and he lost his color. When I further inspected him he was very bloated and his scales were sticking out on his belly. He was my healthiest fish, always swimming and chasing the others around. This morning, he was dead. All the others are showing no signs or symptoms of sickness right now. I don't have a water test kit - lfs opens in 2 hours and Im going to buy one but my stats are usually fine as I take a sample to the lfs weekly for testing.

Should I worry about my other fish?

 

[aaronnorth]

It was more than likley dropsy, which is very hard to treat at late stages and if the scales burst it is very contagious. Best bet is to do a 70& w/c to make sure no bacteria was left behind.

 

[TigerIssey]

When you do water change, don't forget to double the dose on your dechlor, should avoid the stress you had after w/c last week. Keep an eye on the other fish for any further signs. If you get bloating again after w/c let us know.

 

[kristins1877]

thanks guys - going to do the w/c in about an hour. Do you think it would be wise to treat the tank with bacteria meds as well? I have Maracyn II on hand

 

[TigerIssey]

Are your fish showing any symptoms

Bloated body?
Bulging eyes?
Cloudy eyes?
frayed fins?
If frayed do they have a white rim?
What are you feeding?
Is there any glancing, jumping out of water or sudden dashes?
Any gasping at the surface?
Did you run carbon for a few days after the last water change.
Any red streaking?
Can you get the water tests or get them done and with numerical values.

 

[kristins1877]

Are your fish showing any symptoms

Bloated body? Not right now
Bulging eyes? No
Cloudy eyes? No
frayed fins? No
If frayed do they have a white rim? No
What are you feeding? Flake, Algae Tabs, (stopped bloodworms since last week)
Is there any glancing, jumping out of water or sudden dashes? No
Any gasping at the surface? No
Did you run carbon for a few days after the last water change. Put extra carbon sleeve inside the filter
Any red streaking? No
Can you get the water tests or get them done and with numerical values. Yes, will buy a kit today when the lfs opens (long overdue!!)

 

[TigerIssey]

I would not treat at the moment, do the large water change previously recommended, double dose the dechlorinator. Get your test kits and test at least an hour after the w/c. Do w/c before going to lfs. Keep watching fish, post us test results after doing them.

Tina

 

[kristins1877]

OK, went to lfs and bought ammonia and nitrite test. I tested b4 water change, both were 0. I did the water change, doubled the dechlor, and tested again, stats are still 0. I dont see any bloating and they seem ok for now. Can I detect dropsy before the fish pinecones and gets raised scales?

 

[TigerIssey]

Did you not get nitrate and pH tests??
Fish should bloat, become lethargic before pineconing occurs. Pineconing is usually the last symptom and can rarely be treated once reached this stage.

 

[WILDER]

I agree with other members just water changes for now using double declorinator.
Still need a more varied diet of frozen foods and veg.
Are you over feeding the fish.
Keep a look out for when your fish go to the toilet.
Check the anus of the fish see if it's enlarged or red and inflamed.

 

[kristins1877]

I have a ph test - Im at 7.2. Didn't buy the nitrate (ran out of money at the store, lol) As of last night there is still no bloating and nobody seems lethargic right now. I know I need to vary the diet, going to buy some frozen foods (hopefully today) and maybe try a different veggie as they didn't like the zuchinni. Anuses seem fine but a few of the fish have stringy poop...

 

[WILDER]

Stingy white poo can mean constipation, bacterial, internal parasites.
See if the veg clears it up, if not get back to the board.

 

[kristins1877]

OK. last night my female ram acted just as my male did before it died - labored breathing, hiding begind the filter and completely lost its color - looked almost clear. She was dead this morning and i noticed her tail wad some white on it. Not fluffy cottony white and not salt looking ich, just like a white patch on the tail. Im thinking its definately a bacteria issue. I turned the temp up to 84 degrees, bought an airpump and stone to increase areation, and I want to start using maracyn II (if you guys think its appropriate) I tried some cucumber and it sat at the bottom of the tank - noone wanted to touch it...

 

[WILDER]

Ok thats fine then.
Just make sure fish are not flicking and rubbing, fish can labour breath with a bacterial infection, but it can be other things too.
Bless Him. R.I.P.

 

[TigerIssey]

Sorry to hear about the ram. Unfortunately they are very sensitive to water problems, will have left them susceptible to infection, they go downhill very quickly once they show any symptoms too. I lost a pair about a week after a very long (12hrs +) powercut, thought I had got away with it, then suddenly lost them, same after a filter / chlorine incident they don't give you much warning at all. The other fish were fine though.
What other fish do you have?