What's Wrong With My Molly?

[eeka97]

I'm a fish newby and got my daughter a tank for Christmas. Petsmart told us that Mollies get along with vurtually all fish. So we chose to also get a Zebra Danio, a Lyretail, a cardinal tetra, and a tuxedo guppy. The cardinal tetra was fin nipped and died. The internet says that Mollies do not get along with fish outside their species. Is this true and should I get rid of the Molly because of that? I don't want her killing the other fish. Also, I don't know if she's pregnant or has been nipped herself, but she has a large bump on her skin up by her top fin. What's happenning??? HELP!!!

 

[beesnees]

when you say you bought your daughter a tank 4 chrimbo do u mean this year as in a few days ago, if so you need to cycle your filter.
this may help

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

do you have a water test kit if so what are the readings

amonia nitrate nitrite ph etc

 

[eeka97]

when you say you bought your daughter a tank 4 chrimbo do u mean this year as in a few days ago, if so you need to cycle your filter.
this may help

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

do you have a water test kit if so what are the readings

amonia nitrate nitrite ph etc

Forgive my fish ignorance, but how do you cycle the filter? What does that mean? And yes, she got the tank this x-mas. I di more Molly research online and discovered that the now hole in her body is where the babies pop out. Is that indeed correct? No, I do not have a water test kit, but I guess I'm going to get one. Unfortunately however, I don't know what's supposed to read what. Oh man, I should've gotten my kid a dog!

 

[WILDER]

Added to many fish to soon, you only add a few hardy fish till the tank has cycled.
They have to go through the ammonia and nitrite process its like living in a toiilet.
It can take its toll on a fish causing the immune system to shut down.


http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling.htm

http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling2.htm

 

[eeka97]

Added to many fish to soon, you only add a few hardy fish till the tank has cycled.
They have to go through the ammonia and nitrite process its like living in a toiilet.
It can take its toll on a fish causing the immune system to shut down.


http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling.htm

http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling2.htm

Boy do I feel like a fish moron! What does "cycled" entail? The tank was running for more than 24 hours before we put 1 fish in. Then a week later we added 3 more. The Molly is now separated because I believe she's pregnant. The other three are cruising around happy as can be. I swear I'm not listening to anymore PetsMart employees. Everytime I ask a question I get a different employee and the info is always contradicting. I've done everything they told me and bought everything they told me and this is the first I'm hearing about a water test kit! WARNING: STAY AWAY FROM PETSMART!!! They get paid $6 an hour for a reason!

 

[InaneCathode]

Added to many fish to soon, you only add a few hardy fish till the tank has cycled.
They have to go through the ammonia and nitrite process its like living in a toiilet.
It can take its toll on a fish causing the immune system to shut down.


http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling.htm

http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling2.htm

Boy do I feel like a fish moron! What does "cycled" entail? The tank was running for more than 24 hours before we put 1 fish in. Then a week later we added 3 more. The Molly is now separated because I believe she's pregnant. The other three are cruising around happy as can be. I swear I'm not listening to anymore PetsMart employees. Everytime I ask a question I get a different employee and the info is always contradicting. I've done everything they told me and bought everything they told me and this is the first I'm hearing about a water test kit! WARNING: STAY AWAY FROM PETSMART!!! They get paid $6 an hour for a reason!

You learn quickly grasshopper! Petsmart is kinda like walmart or an auto parts store. Only go there if you know exactly what you need, they're basically useless for advice. God bless em for trying though! (not really, disinformation kills alot of fish..)
Just read that article on cycling REALLY well, it'll tell you everything you need to know!

 

[eeka97]

Added to many fish to soon, you only add a few hardy fish till the tank has cycled.
They have to go through the ammonia and nitrite process its like living in a toiilet.
It can take its toll on a fish causing the immune system to shut down.


http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling.htm

http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling2.htm

Boy do I feel like a fish moron! What does "cycled" entail? The tank was running for more than 24 hours before we put 1 fish in. Then a week later we added 3 more. The Molly is now separated because I believe she's pregnant. The other three are cruising around happy as can be. I swear I'm not listening to anymore PetsMart employees. Everytime I ask a question I get a different employee and the info is always contradicting. I've done everything they told me and bought everything they told me and this is the first I'm hearing about a water test kit! WARNING: STAY AWAY FROM PETSMART!!! They get paid $6 an hour for a reason!

You learn quickly grasshopper! Petsmart is kinda like walmart or an auto parts store. Only go there if you know exactly what you need, they're basically useless for advice. God bless em for trying though! (not really, disinformation kills alot of fish..)
Just read that article on cycling REALLY well, it'll tell you everything you need to know!

Thank you so much for the advise. The Molly was indeed NOT pregnant. She died last night. My daughter and I had a ceremony for her over the toilet. I will read all of the info on the links you provided. Again, thank you so much!

 

[WILDER]

Sorry R.I.P.

 

[eeka97]

Sorry R.I.P.

Thank you. Hopefully the other fish will prosper.

 

[WILDER]

Keeping fingers crossed but there no guarantee's that a fish will survive or even get through a cycle, it takes it toll on the hardiest of fish.
Good luck.