My Mollies Are Not Eating!

[tonilee7]

Hi I have 8 mollies ( 2 males and 6 females) they were really healthy, but the last 2 weeks I noticed they have not been eating, I was only feeding them flake so I changed thier diet to fozen brine shrimp, frozen bloodworm, flake and vegetables. But they are still not eating and you can tell. They look horrible they are all really skinny.
I don't want to lose all my mollies please help!!!!!!

They are in a 120 litre tank: The tank gets a half water change every week and all of the levels are normal (ammonia, nitrate, ph etc) I use a 1500L/H submersable pump for filteration.
They are in with 4 tiger barbs, 2 black widows, 2 red tailed sharks,2 cories, 1 eel tailed cat fish and 1 sucker.
The only fish in the tank that seem to be eating normal are the tiger barbs.

I am afraid of losing all the fish in the tank, anyone who thinks they can help please do, it will be much appreciated!

 

[tttnjfttt]

I don't think this is likely, but are the spines becoming curved (like an S shape) of any of the molies? This could be a sign of fish TB.

I notice you have some more agressive fish in the tank, notably the tiger barbs and the shark (which btw, you should have only one because they can become territorial and fight each other). When you feed, are the tiger barbs hogging all the food? Also, I recomend getting some specific bottom feeder food for the shark and catfish. Algae wafers and shrimp pellets are what I use. Actually, all my fish except danios LOVE algae wafers and shrimp pellets, including tiger barbs, clown loaches, and gouramis. There are a few more foods to try. Also, try peas, cucumbers, zucini. blanch it in boiling water to make them softer for the fish.

When you do frozen foods, do you thaw them first? Is there any interest in food from the mollies? I know i've given you more advice for everyone but the mollies, but i hope this helps some

 

[tonilee7]

I don't think this is likely, but are the spines becoming curved (like an S shape) of any of the molies? This could be a sign of fish TB.

I notice you have some more agressive fish in the tank, notably the tiger barbs and the shark (which btw, you should have only one because they can become territorial and fight each other). When you feed, are the tiger barbs hogging all the food? Also, I recomend getting some specific bottom feeder food for the shark and catfish. Algae wafers and shrimp pellets are what I use. Actually, all my fish except danios LOVE algae wafers and shrimp pellets, including tiger barbs, clown loaches, and gouramis. There are a few more foods to try. Also, try peas, cucumbers, zucini. blanch it in boiling water to make them softer for the fish.

When you do frozen foods, do you thaw them first? Is there any interest in food from the mollies? I know i've given you more advice for everyone but the mollies, but i hope this helps some

sorry I forgot to add that I feed my bottom feeders sinking pellets, and no the mollies are showing no interest in the food at all and no I don't thaw it first I drop a cube into a net and they eat it throught the net so it doesn't jusy go every where, they used to love the frozen food but now they have no interest at all

I have all my platties and swords in another tank, they look healthier than they ever have before very happt with them, I have hundreds of baby platties, swords and guppies they are doing very well also it is just the mollies tank, I have noticed that my plants have started to go fury and it isn't algue it is just like they are covered in white fluffy stuff, should I completely clean out my tank??? I just noticed that the mollies are hanging in the one spot right up near the filter at the top of the tank.

 

[tttnjfttt]

besides the case of popeye, any other signs of illness? If you have two nets try two feeding batches to make sure there isn't too much competition? Honestly, i've never had frozen food make a mess of the tank, the fish hunt everywhere to eat it up, so maybe try to feed it so they aren't compeeting with the tiger barbs?

Do you add anything else to the water? Are your ammonia and nitrite levels both zero? (asking specifically because i've seen people swear their levels are fine when they arent)

 

[tonilee7]

besides the case of popeye, any other signs of illness? If you have two nets try two feeding batches to make sure there isn't too much competition? Honestly, i've never had frozen food make a mess of the tank, the fish hunt everywhere to eat it up, so maybe try to feed it so they aren't compeeting with the tiger barbs?

Do you add anything else to the water? Are your ammonia and nitrite levels both zero? (asking specifically because i've seen people swear their levels are fine when they arent)

Tiger barbs are really good they just wait under neath near the bottom for the frozen food to fall to the bottom they never go to the net, I just fed my mollies and they seem to be starting to eat, I will cross my fingers that they keep eating I might try and change my brand of flake food maybe that is why they ain't eat it they might not like the brand.mmmmmmmmmmmmmm thanks for your info

 

[morgan]

Hi, I don't know anything much about fish disease. I do know about Mollies and what they like to eat. I have noticed that mine go mad for freeze-dried daphnia. If you want to tempt them to eat that might work. You sprinkle it on the surface and as they are top feeders by design I suppose it is natural food for them. Mine have it as a treat, amongst other things.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Hi, I don't know anything much about fish disease. I do know about Mollies and what they like to eat. I have noticed that mine go mad for freeze-dried daphnia. If you want to tempt them to eat that might work. You sprinkle it on the surface and as they are top feeders by design I suppose it is natural food for them. Mine have it as a treat, amongst other things.

Word of warning against freeze dried daphnia: Freeze dried foods are very rough on a fish's digestive track, so be sure to soak it in watr first. Personally, I'd go for the fresh stuff first if possible.