Sick Molly?

[Erick46]

The silver molly has started to swim with it's head towards the top of the tank. The fish is eating normally, and can be coaxed to swim like it should, however it hangs around the tank most the time in a vertical position with it's head near the surface. Any idea what's going on?

 

[Angry_Platy]

How long has it been doing this for? Are there any other fish in the tank? Are they acting normally?

My platies tend to act this way just before they are about to give birth....could that be possible?

Let me know and I'll try and help

Cheers

Chooklet

 

[Erick46]

Thanks for responding. It's been doing this for a few days. All the other fish are active and appear fine. Once in awhile a shark will chase it around, and it will swim normally. There's never any contact when they do this.

 

[Angry_Platy]

How old is the tank? Was it cycled before you put the fish in?

The only other time I saw my fish doing this was during cycling when the ammonia and nitrites were high.

Is your water oxygenated enough? Could it be possible that the tank is still cycling?

In the meantime, I would do a 25% water change and see if that helps...it certainly won't hurt your molly.

It could also be stressed from being chased by the shark.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[Erick46]

The tank is 6 months old. The nitrates are a little high, but ammonia and nitrites are zero. I did a 25% last weekend, and lost this ones' mate. I'm not sure of the sexes on these 2 fish. The mate was dead the next morning. I don't think it had anything to do with the water change because all the other fish are very happy. these 2 mollies were bought recently, like last week...so I'm wondering if it's shock. I'm using spring water for my partial changes. The tank temp is 76*. I also added a tbl. spoon of salt afeter the change.....matbe mollies don't like salt??

 

[Angry_Platy]

Mollies like salt....

Perhaps the fish came with a problem from the LFS...I would contact the LFS to see if they have had troubles with any of their fish from the same tank.

In the meantime...as long as it is eating it should be OK...just keep an eye on it and keep thr nitrates under control....even if it means doing water changes a few times a week.

Keep me updated though...if it gets worse....etc...

 

[Erick46]

I will. Thanks for the help and info. I will add a footnote here. After observing her for some time last night, she is not able to use her tail. She swims by using her whole body back and forth. The rest of her fins move, but her tail doesn't move. I have deducted that it is a female, since it was the larger of the two, and her belly is quite a bit more rounded than the one that died. But she still seems fine except for the weird angle she hangs out in. Again...thanks.

 

[-Chewy-]

you know...i m no expert in this but i have read that feeding it baked green peas (smashed) will have this type of sickness...
Well, no harm trying rite?!!

-Chewy-

 

[Erick46]

Thanks Chewy!!! Baked peas coming up!!!