Molly Update

[CBTF]

As some of you may know i've been desperately trying to help my male molly. He has been swimming with his head straight up, for some time now. He is almost shaped like a comma when he swims. This isn't all the time, but is regular.

Now, nobody on any forum has been able to come up with a reason for this. (I dont blame you guys.. it's messed up.) The pet store told me it's stress or my water quality. I'm sure its neither as everyone else in the tank is fine.

After doing some reasearch i've discovered this can be a common thing with some mollies, specifically white ones such as mine. Unfortunately, there seem to be conflicting reasons why this may happen. I'm here asking for opinions.

Here the possibilites are:

-Genetic Flaw: Some argue that it's just a genetic flaw. Easy enough to believe, as it seems that his back end and top tailfin are paralyzed (his fin never goes down). This may lead the irregular swimming im assuming.

-Parasite: On a certain site, someone proposed that it's a parasite..


Quote:
Actually very likely a microsporidean endoparasite... You might be able to cure this with the use of Flagyl/Metronidazole.



-Last but not least (or maybe least.) someone stated that mollies are actually brackish water fish that are sold in fresh water, lowering their life quality.

I'd call the pet store for advice but we know their stance on it. Any comments or feedback would be greatly accepted- this one is stressin me out, im sure you all know how it feels not to be able to help a little guy!

If it means anything, ive noticed he is producing a large amount of waste. it's not unhealthy looking waste or discolored though.

If it popular opinion leads towards it being a parasite, then i'll get the medication mentioned above asap. If people think it's genetic, i'll leave him on his own as he seems to be eating fine and should (im guessing) live a regular life.

If anyone has had this problem before, it would be great to hear it. Even if the fish died- how long did it last?

edit: swimbladder problems have been ruled out.

 

[tttnjfttt]

I doubt it is a genetic deformity, simply because if you saw him swimming that way in the LPS, would you have brought him home? I wouldhave a hard time believeing that a deformity wouldn't shown up at the store.

Internal parasite problems usually show by the fish wasting away or seeing worms physically hanging out of the fish.

Have you tried treating with antibiotics?

 

[CBTF]

No antibiotics. I don't even know which to buy and the LFS told me they dont think it's bacterial or parasites... What should I look at? I guess theres no harm in trying.

The akward movements began shortly after I got home from the store with him, so perhaps it's a permanent injury from the netting at the store (she was rough) or the transportation home.

 

[tttnjfttt]

The only reason why i'm moving to antibiotics is i think all other (treatable) causes have been ruled out. Its not water quality, its not poor diet, its not constipation. I really think it is swim blader problems, as that is what controls how the fish is positioned in the water, but remember there are seveal causes.

If you think it is parasites, clout is a good med, but usually that one has some signs, mainly the fish eating but not gaining wait or wasting away.

 

[WILDER]

If hes' thin and has a deformatity consider this.
http/www.4qd.org/Aqua/disease/tb.html

 

[CBTF]

It's not TB. Symptoms just aren't there.

If it is bacterial, would a week be too late already? Im unsure of that because he wasnt showing it at the store, but suddenly did at home.. seems injury-ish.

 

[CBTF]

He is losing a scale around the gill area. Just noticed. Doesn't look bad though.

 

[WILDER]

Like i said in the previous post, they could of damaged his swim bladder when catching him or bagging him.
As for the scales coming away from the gills, does it look like the are sticking out.

 

[CBTF]

The scale just looked like it was coming off, like maybe he had brushed against something. It's fine now.

But I did notice today that his swimming is improving. Although there's a new problem- one of his gills appears to be swollen.. what gives? its not discolored or anything, doesnt look infected. could sand be caught in there?

 

[WILDER]

I doubt it's sand, what are your water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph, is he flicking and rubbing on objects.

 

[CBTF]

unsure of the quality atm.

his gill that is swollen now looks like there is some internal bleeding.

 

[WILDER]

Well if you have internal bleeding you have septicemia, i would issolate the fish, as with all what going on he's not in good health.

 

[CBTF]

this makes no sense, he's still acting normal. on the bright side his swimming is improving.

ill update tmrw with my decision on what to do.

since he was bought a week ago, maybe ill take him back to the petsmart. this is a lot of stress. id feel bad but i just dont know.

 

[tttnjfttt]

I agree that it sounds like septcemia has now begun which is now bacterial. here is an article for you with some more info. I am not the author of this.

Septicemia

Symptoms:

Fish may have reddening at fin bases, blood streaks throughout the fins and body, small hemorrhages around the eyes. Dull listless behavior and lack of appetite may also be present.


Cause:

Systemic bacterial infection caused by various bacteria, including Aeromonas, Pseudomonas and Vibrio. The illness is often brought on by poor water quality or as a result of parasitic infestations or other infections. These bacteria enter the blood stream and circulate through the tissues causing inflammation and damage. Inflamed blood vessels in the skin and at fin bases stand out. Blood vessel and heart tissue damage cause hemorrhaging and consequently leakage of body fluids into the abdomen, which may lead to Dropsy.


Treatment:

Water conditions must be improved for all fish in the tank, regardless of how many fish are infected. Check your water’s Treat with Kanacyn or Tetracycline as well as with a medicated food if the fish will eat. If parasites are suspected, all the fish in the tank should be treated with antiparasitic medication. Using salt to help restore osmotic balance might be helpful.

 

[CBTF]

Thanks for that post.

I dont know if this has been brought on by parasites. Should I worry about his tankmates? The female which he was with at the store shows no signs of this, so im guessing its not the parasites.

Im debating on what to do. Seeing as how ive owned this fish less than a week im considering just taking it back. The only thing stopping me is im not sure if they'll even treat him, or leave him for dead. (petsmart.)

Another concern is that my tank is very new, the setup. You mentioned that this is brought on by water quality- something that is kind of outta my hands at the moment, although it is steady and the other fish show no signs of distress. Readings arent able now, as ive been very sick and have not found time to buy a kit.

If I treat him, how long will it take? My hospital tank flat out sucks and i'll have to set it up with fresh tap water so it's ideal that he doesnt stay in there too long.. also, what is the chance of him making a recovery since its already been about a week? I would be using tetracycline as i know my lfs stocks it. probably not the med. food though.

thanks a bunch, again. i eagerly await some advice. i'll treat him if i can, but if its best to take him back then i'll do that too.