kellymegan18

Hi! I have 4 mollies in my tank right now. One is a potbelly, one a dalmation, one a black, and the other is a 4 week old baby whom I suspect is an offspring of the dalmation and potbelly. I noticed that the potbelly had developed a red spot near its gills and later it developed a couple more spots on different parts of its belly. The dalmation has now developed a similar spot near its gills and I noticed tonight the baby has the same spot once again near its gills. I had my water checked and passed in all categories. Also, I have tried treating the fish with Melafix. Their condition has not changed but other than the spots the fish act and look completely normal. The baby is growing fast and all the fish eat and swim actively. I'm so confused about these spots! Please give me your advice!

Jrd929

It might be Gill Flukes which is a parasite, but keep up with the melafix, and if nothing happens it might be just a bodily marking

susitna-flower

HOW did you test your water? I recommend you buying an API Master test kit yourself, ANYTHING short of that and you are putting the health of your tank in someone else's hands, that you have NO idea how experienced they are!!! Until you know just what the reading is for:
Ammonia?
Nitrite?
Nitrate?

You won't know if your tests are ok or if there is ANY ammonia, which could cause red gills. ANY ammonia, or nitrite can be toxic, and will certainly cause stress that will allow your fish to be susceptible to parasitic, fungal, and bacterial infections.

That said, red spots can also be septicemia, the treatment Melafix is a general antibacterial, good for some conditions, but if after a full course of treatment, if there isn't marked improvement, try Maracyn-Two by mardel. With any medication, use it according to directions, and be especially careful to heed the cautions about use with scaleless fish, invertebrates, and tetra fish which can all be sensitive to medications.

kellymegan18

Thank you for your help!

susitna-flower

How are your fish doing?

kellymegan18

They are doing the exact same. I really think it may be just coloration. I wish my camera was strong enough to take a close-up.

Miss Fish

I have 4 mollies 2 male 2 female in a community tank. Yesterday I noticed the two females had pink strink hanging from their anus. They picked it off with their mouths and ate it. The only thing I have done differently was feed them some blood worms. What is happening? Water is good.