biscotti

I think one of my molly's has ntd. About 4 months ago I lost another molly but I didn't know why. He was a gold dust molly, and his color began fading along his spine. Also after a while his spine became bent out of shape and he had a lot of trouble swimming. I put him in isolation and he died a few days later becoming weaker and weaker.

Yesterday my daughter noticed that one other gold dust molly had a pale area on the back of her head along the spine. It looks like it could be the same as before. From what I've read, there is no cure. I'm very worried about the other fish in my tank, that they could have already been infected by the disease and are just not showing signs. I bought some Melafix today to try.

There doesn't seem like there is anything I can do except wait and see.
It's so frustrating.

Also, if it gets to the point of euthanizing a fish...has anyone done that? I've read about but I'm not sure how it's done, and it would break my heart to have to do it. But I also hate watching them suffering for days on end until they finally die.

Sorry, no water parameter info. I'm using the test strips and all my colors are normal. I know ya'll hate the strips and I promise to get the good kit someday.

Dojella

I can't give much advice on the symptoms you have mentioned, but the "euthanasia" process I have read about is to put a bowl of water in the freezer until just before it freezes (i.e. still liquid but ice cold) and put the sick fish in it. All of the systems are supposed to shut down and the process is instant. I've never tried it though. I always hold that glimmer of hope.

Lucy

I'm sorry your molly isn't well. Although NTD isn't limited to neon, I think it can effect danios, maybe some other fish as well.

I don't recall mollys being susceptible to it, but it sure sounds like your molly is showing symptoms of it. But aware, other fungal infections can have these same symptoms.

Can you post a pic? Maybe someone will be able to identify the symptoms.

Should it come down to that, and only you can be the best judge, Clove oil is said to be humane than freezing, but like Dojella, I've not had to do this.
There's a thread on the forum somewhere.
If I can find it, I'll edit this post and give you the link.

Edit: preferred euthanasia method
euthanasia

biscotti

I'm attaching a picture of my fish. It's hard to see the faded area above her eyes. She's still eating and acting normal. I'd love to see her get better.

BTW, what are clamped fins? I think that's a term I heard while reading up on some of the diseases.

Attached Images

2008-8-9 016.jpg (285.0 KB, 19 views)

Lucy

Clamped fins is when they hold their fins close to their body, and their tail is not full......kind of like the difference between spreading your fingers or holding them together. I hope that made sense.
I can't see the tail, but his fins aren't clamped.

Poor little thing, has the melafix had any effect?

biscotti

I know she doesn't have clamped fins, but I was a little unsure of what they look like if one of my fish did ever have that. The spot that concerns me is a gray area above her eyes on her back. It's a discoloration that spread quickly with my fish that died in March. It looks the same. With my other fish, his back began bending in a strange way also. I'm just worried about her.

LilMollieBreeder

I hope your molly gets better my molly male is still recovering from pop eye and frayed fins. I hope she gets better!

Lucy

Fish don't die from clamped fins, it's a symptom of something else going on.
How's she doing doing tonight?