Silver Molly Not Moving

[unknowntbeast]

Not sure of the issue here, but this morning I noticed it was just lying on the top of the water floating. I was going to lift it out of the water and put it back in quickly, and when I did this it would flap its fins, so it is alive. It also has some dark vertical lines near its head. Ideas? I'm going to transfer it to an empty tank now for the time being.

Also it's top fin is not sticking out like the others are.

 

[WILDER]

What are your water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.

Do you mean the fin is clamped to the body.
Does teh fish look pale or darker in colour.
Is the fish actling listless and lethagic.
Any signs of laboured breathing or gasping.
Any signs of flicking and rubbing.
Any signs of darting or erratic swimming.
Does the platy look bloated or thin.
What does it look like when the fish goes to the toilet.

 

[unknowntbeast]

Everything but the pH was good. I'm not sure why the pH keeps dropping in that tank. I did however move it to a different tank this morning were the pH is fine. The two side fins do work, when it uses them. I see no use in the top fin. I'm not sure if it is clamped or just not being used. Breathing looks normal, not swimming at all, just floating at the surface, but still completely underwater. Doesn't move side fins unless I (for lack of a better word) poke it. Does look a little pale on the bottom half. No waste yet, and since it is lying on its side, I'm not quite sure if it will eat. I am about to try and take image and feed it.

 

[unknowntbeast]

And to think about it now, I remember seeing one of the silver mollies swimming all crazy like. I think it was this one.

 

[unknowntbeast]

Well just got home from work and there is still no change.

 

[WILDER]

Issolate and try a bacterial med.

Got to find out why your ph keeps changing.
Tap ph.
What substrate and ornaments do you have in the tank.
Do you have bogwood.

 

[unknowntbeast]

Tap pH comes out around 7.3. LFS bought gravel for substrate. 13 ribbon plants. Oh and about a dozen plus snails (and more to come I assume). Any particular bacterial med I should get?

 

[WILDER]

United States Maracyn.
United Kingdom Anti internal bacteria med by interpet.

 

[OldMan47]

If your water pH goes down easily, it is probably low in mineral content. Something mollies require, that is often misinterpreted as a need for salt, is a high mineral content in the water. In your situation, I would use some of the African rift lake salt in your tank, if your other fish can tolerate the increase in pH and mineral content. Clamped fins and swimming in place while just shaking from side to side is what is called shimmy and is often the result of low minerals and low pH water in a molly. There are few other fish that will show those same symptoms.

 

[unknowntbeast]

Well that one fish ended up dying Christmas morning. When I do the next big water change, I will see how fast the pH drops.

 

[WILDER]

Bless Her.
R.I.P.