Calab

Looks like my male silver molly has a case of swim bladder (or what else).

If he tries, he can usually get himself swimming normally, but as soon as he relaxes, his tail goes right and and he ends up facing the bottom of the tank.

I've got him in a small "hospital" tank and haven't fed him in about 36 hours. Also added some Melafix and Pimafix as well.

I know he's not happy in this condition, but looks normal otherwise.

Is there anything else it could be? Is there something specific that I should be doing?

He was in my 33 gallon tank with about a dozen other fish, including another molly, and those fish are fine. They were getting flakes, dried bloodworms, algae pellets and some zuccini.

COBettaCouple

Do you have plants with broad leaves or a breeder net that he could rest in? It might help lower his stress if he has help staying upright.

Does he eat? Has he had white, stringy poop? If you have Fish Protector, I'd add that to the water daily, along with vita-chem and garlic guard.. 1 drop per gallon of each.

Calab

I've been trying to figure out what I can do to help him stay upright. I do have some plastic plants in there. If he would swim underneath the plants he'd stay upright.

He seemed to be eating, but I haven't fed him in two days. I'm thinking it might be "gas" or something else digestive. No odd poop, etc.

Thanks!

COBettaCouple

It does sound like a swim bladder disorder. Hopefully, it will be able to clear up with the stuff you've been adding to the water.

Calab

So far there hasn't been any change.

I put some mashed peas and a small bit of zucchini in the tank yesterday morning, but he doesn't seem to be eating.

I even took him out of the tank and tried to massage his belly a bit today... Very gently of course. He didn't do much to try and get away.

At this point I don't know what to do. He seems to be getting pretty worn out and I can't imaging him fighting this much longer.

Is there anything else I can do? Something I can add to the water that would help clear any constipation or gas?

Calab

I can't stand to see him bobbing around like he is...

I've scooped him into a net and hung it from the side of the tank. He's upright, and has water circulation. He can't really move around.

I can only hope that he doesn't stress too much and uses this as a chance to rest.

COBettaCouple

Unfortunately, I'm not sure there's much else to do at this point. Just making the fish as stress free as possible and trying peas or freeze-dried daphina is what we can do and pray they recover.

Calab

He didn't make it. He died sometime early on the 8th.

At this point I'm trying to find something other than flakes to feed the fish. They definately do NOT like the Nutrifin granules. I found some soft pellets at the store, so I might try them instead.

COBettaCouple

I'm sorry that you lost him.