mammabrooks

So I have a dalmation molly who is new for me and has been the happy one in the tank as far as I am aware. She has been swimming around all great until tonight. Now she is wriggling back and forth, whole body not just the tail, in one spot at the tank. SHe has been doing this for atleast an hour now, nonstop. It looks like it is having a little fish seizure, they don't get seizures do they? Either way something is clearly not right. I have had this feeling that she is pregnant for a few days now, her tank mate is a black molly, a male as far as I can tell. And there was a plato I think, a sucker fish, in the tank who died last night. Any ideas on what might be going on I 'd appreciate any help possible, thanks.

swords3711

You might need to test your water. This may be a sign that she is getting old, depending on her size.

mammabrooks

If we just got her the other day from the pet store could she really be old? She is about 1 1/4 inches long including the fin. What do you think?

swords3711

prob not then
just test ur water

mammabrooks

This probably sounds insane, but my kids just got them as gifts and we had no idea that there was this much involved and honestly don't own a test kit or anything. So is there anything I can do in the mean time that might help? I just put soem food in and accidentally put in too much, but she is eating like a champ! It is the black one that hangs out and I have never seen him eat once!! If she was sick would she snap out of it to eat like that? And if the black one lies still on the gravel from time to time is that a bad thing? He also hangs out in this one spot in the tank still a lot. Is this normal for Mollies or fish at all?

0morrokh

Well first off Welcome to Fishlore (if you haven't already been welcomed)

I'm guessing the people at the store didn't give you much information, so I'll start with all the basics, and sorry if some of this is stuff you already know.

First of all, it would help to know what your tank's like...what size, the temperature, how many and what kind of fish, how long it's been set up, exactly what and how much have you been feeding, and what conditioners or other chemicals are you putting in the water.

The Nitrogen Cycle... http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm -definately need to read this. Since you just got your tank there is no bacteria in your filter yet, and you will experience a spike of ammonia as your fish produce waste but the bacteria have not grown to metabolize it yet. You will need to do very frequent (daily is best) water changes to keep your fish from being poisoned.

You will also need to test your water for the ammonia, and as the bacteria grows and converts the ammonia to nitrite you'll have to test for that, and finally the end product nitrate. Once the tank is cycled you should have 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and less than 20 nitrate. Get liquid test kits, not dip sticks. API is the brand of tests most of us use.

You'll need to do water changes once a week after the tank is done cycling. They should be around 25% of the water, or more if your nitrates are high. But remember that while the tank is still cycling you should be doing water changes every or every other day.

The Molly definately sounds stressed or sick and it's more than likely due to ammonia. I'd do a 50-75% water change immediately and get those test kits as soon as possible.

susitna-flower

Hi Mommabrooks, WELCOME to FISHLORE! Hopefully we can give a hand to help you through. Don't feel bad, everyone is a beginner sometime, and we all have gone through just what you are today.

First: You need to do a water change tonight! If you aren't set up to do it, with water conditioners, you need to draw enough water to change about 50% of the tanks water and let it set over night. You can't put water in right from the tap, unless you have untreated well water. You always try to match the temperature of the tank with water you put in. If you have conditioner to take out the chlorine, go ahead and change 50% of your water.

Second: The list of things to get if you don't already have it,

Syphon tube with vacuum attachment, API Master freshwater test kit.

Your tank needs, filtration, heater, themomoter, Air pump and airstone.

How big is the tank?

You don't say you cycled the tank before introducing fish. The fish are probably suffering from ammonia poisening.

Now that the pleco is dead, don't add ANY MORE fish until the cycle is complete. It will be a lot less traumatic for you and your children.
When you do test your water, post the results and we can tell you more.
I see Omorrokh has also posted. Sort all this out and we will try to help further.

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore

It sounds like she has shimmies, which is caused by a electrolyte problem in the water. Call your local fish & pet stores for http://www.aquariumguys.com/mollybright2oz.html

Have you been using any tap water conditioners on the tap water? If not, that would probably be the biggest problem. I would recommend a conditioner called "Prime", it's the best and will help your fish out.

armadillo

Don't worry about it. That's how everybody starts off. Here's a really thorough list of required equipment. I know it's a huge post, but take your time reading it and it will prevent you making the beginners' mistakes we all did.

http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/fr...tml#post295265

Good luck!

swords3711

the pet stores usually offer free water tests

0morrokh

True, but still best to get your own if possible in case you need a test right away and the store's closed.

COBettaCouple

As far as pet store "free water tests" go, you get what you pay for at the big chains and most of the local shops. They usually use the inaccurate strips and often the employees doing the tests don't really know how to do them.

We got the API kit with our 1st tank - who would I trust more to do a water test on our tank, I figured. Plus spending $3 in gas to go to the store & back for a water test wouldn't be free even if they did accurate tests with the API kit.