Black Molly with foam on the gills

HI everyone,
I've noticed that one of my mollies occasionally had what looks like a bit of foam coming out of her gills. The tank is 20gal and we've had it set up since January. There are 3 other black mollies with her (one is a baby that was born a couple months ago), an algae eater and 5 guppies (one of which is also a new baby from about 3mths ago). I change about 25 to 30% of what water weekly, and change the filter bi-weekly. I use "easy care" and an aquarium conditioner with each water change. I have also started adding aquarium salt with the water change.
The Molly seems healthy. It just randomly will have what looks like foam coming from her gills. I happened the first time a couple weeks ago, but then nothing for about 4 or 5 days. I check her each day and it just seems to be a random thing. Her behaviour hasn't changed at all, she still swims around and eats as she always has. Is the random 'foam' something that I need to treat??
Any help would be appreciated. I haven't been able to get any clear pictures of it. But will keep trying and add them.

Thanks!

 

What are your water parameters - pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrates? Salt isn't necessary for freshwater tanks so I would stop adding it. What is the "easy care" additive that you're using? Is it something to help keep the tank cleaner? If so, I would also stop using that. Water changes, gravel vacs and filter rinsing in removed tank water or in dechlorinated water are what will keep your tank healthy.

And if you've been changing your filter media, you're essentially starting over with your cycle as most of the beneficial bacteria reside in the filter media. As mentioned, you should only be rinsing it in removed tank water or in dechlorinated tap during water changes.

A picture of the molly will help when you can get it.

Also, 4 mollies in a 20 gallon is not suitable. They get around 4 inches each and are huge waste producers. I would look to rehome them if possible especially if you have mixed genders or upgrade to a 29/30g min.

Btw, welcome to Fishlore!

 

The easy care solution just dechlorinates the tap water. I only just started using the salt the last two water changes because I spoke with someone at Petsmart and she suggested adding the salt to see if it would help clear up whatever the "foam" is. I looked on Google to see if there were any pics that I could find that are similar but no luck. The sales girl also suggested that I join a forum and see if anyone had a similar problem. I'll have to see if we can get a second tank, don't really want to upgrade a tank to an even bigger one when we only just got it.
Also, for the filter, would I just rinse it off and reinsert it into the pump? I'll test in the morning for the pH level and the others. I think it should ok. All our fish are thriving, and growing.
And thanks for welcoming me! Having a fish tank so far has been really fun!

 

So you add both the easy care and another aquarium dechlorinator? If both are doing the same thing, I would just pick one to use. Better yet, I would invest in Seachem Prime which is another water conditioner but this one also has the ability to detoxify ammonia and nitrite up to 1ppm for 24hrs. It's an excellent product to have on hand if/when you get any trace of those levels in your water.

Yeah, I don't see how salt will help with whatever issue your molly is having.

Yes, you just take the filter media and rinse it the bucket of tank water you removed during a water change. You never want to change or replace it unless it was falling apart or the water wasn't flowing properly. What kind of filter do you have? If it's the one that takes cartridges and time comes for it to be replaced, you just cut out the floss and place it behind the new cartridge. That will help seed the new cartridge without losing your beneficial bacteria.

Here's a pic on how to attach photos if you don't know how:

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/how-to-attach-pictures-to-posts.169875/

Glad you're having fun with the hobby.. it's very addictive and I will bet you will get that second tank soon! lol

 

So came home this afternoon and found the Molly with the foam coming out her gills again. When she swims it falls off. The other mollies are fine and I checked the water and it's within the correct parameters. This is the worst it's been.

 

 

I haven't seen anything like it so hopefully someone can advise.

Can you post your water parameters though so we can rule out any water quality issues that may be contributing to the issue - ph, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate? When was your last water change and how much did you change out?

 

If you could post a better pic that would be great. The one you posted is not a good quality. I'm so curious to see what it looks like

 

I'll keep trying. It's so random that she has the 'foam'. I took the photo that I posted on July 4th that afternoon. It hasn't happened since. Next time she has the foam I'll try and get a picture. She is still so lively and swimming around no bother that it's tough to get a clear picture!! I'm beginning to think it might be nothing too terrible since it doesn't seem to bother her and she's swimming and eating still. Fingers crossed!