Constipated fish

I have a 10 gallon tank that includes 4 Dalmatian mollies, 1 guppy, 2 Micky mouse tetras, 2 ghost shrimps (1 pregnant) , and 1 mystery snail! I also have 4 babies in a breeding net (not sure who the parents are). A couple of my fish are constipated. They have stringy poop stuck to them. I have heard using epsom salt will help. How much should I put in my tank?

 

Clear poop is likely constipation and can be resolved by fasting them for a day or 2 then feeding shelled frozen peas warmed to room temp.

If the poop is stringy like hairs and more white then that is likely parasites unfortunately.

 

This is a little unrelated but I think your tank is overstocked by a lot which could lead to stress and constipation in your fish. Also overfeeding can contribute to this as well as fish really don't know when to stop eating. The dalmation mollies get about 4-5in and are supposed to be in a 30 gallon tank minimum. Also for the Epsom salt its does work as a mild muscle relaxer so about 1-3 teaspoons per 5 gallons of tank volume hope I could help !

 

I would try feeding deshelled crushed peas first to see if that helps, fast them for 24 hours first then feed the peas, no other food that day just peas.
Once they're pooping normally try giving them a variety of different foods rather than just one kind to help prevent them being constipated again.

 

I have tried peas before with my other fish and they wanted nothing to do with them. I have reduced feeding to once a day and not a lot of food. I feed them different types of foods each day. For example, 1 day they may get algae wafers, the next day they may get dried worms, and the next day regular fish food. Just depends what I pick up that day. I never feed them more than once a day and try to feed them the right limits. And, about the overstocked comment I got all my fishys at petsmart. They told me Dalmatian mollies were fine in my tank that's the only reason I got them. I thought they were so pretty. They seem happy! My babies that I have I don't plan to keep I'm just trying to let them grow and get some size mainly to see what they are. I keep my snails and shrimp to keep algae at a minimum. I made sure what I had was fine in my tank before purchase because my fish are my pets and I have grown to love them all!

 

Hi, epsom really should be dosed at 1/4 to 1/2 tsp per 10 gallon and removed after a week.

I know you probably don't want to hear this and I'm not picking on you but a lot of times petsmart employees may not really know the correct info especially if they aren't actually fish keepers. The petsmart by me has some pretty knowledgeable people and I know they would not have sold you four dalmation mollies for a 10 gallon tank. Even if you went by the 1" per gallon rule which is unreliable you are still way overstocked. The mollies can get to be 5" a piece, you really shouldn't have more than one in there with your other fish. Did you mean micky mouse platies? They only grow to 2" a piece. Any possibility you can upgrade to a 20 Long or a 30 breeder in the next year?

 

That's exactly what I meant! Didn't catch my mistake there! And I'm well aware of some of the, sorry if this offends anyone definitely not trying to, airheads that work at petsmart. I thought the woman who sold them to me was pretty knowledgeable, but I guess I was wrong! I do really want to upgrade! I have since I started this tank. I've done lots of research and I didn't come across anything dealing with my mollies getting that big. If I would have I would have never gotten so many, but they are my absolute favorite. I wish I would have gotten a bigger tank to begin with I just didn't have the money at the time. I hope to upgrade to at least a 20 gallon by summer if possible. Although, I would rather have 75 gallon or bigger I just don't see that possible. Any ideas where to get a good tank that isn't too expensive? I don't want my mollies to kick the bucket and I'm sure my 3 year old niece wouldn't either. She loves them just as much as me!

 

If I would have I would have never gotten so many, but they are my absolute favorite. I wish I would have gotten a bigger tank to begin with I just didn't have the money at the time. I hope to upgrade to at least a 20 gallon by summer if possible. Although, I would rather have 75 gallon or bigger I just don't see that possible. Any ideas where to get a good tank that isn't too expensive? I don't want my mollies to kick the bucket and I'm sure my 3 year old niece wouldn't either. She loves them just as much as me!

Both petsmart and petco have the dollar per gallon sale that goes on and you could move filter, heater everything over to a 20. Petsmart has on sale their 20 gallon for 27.99 right now. If you have the room, go for a 20Long as it gives more swimming surface for the fish.
I have panda mollies and absolutely love them. They have wonderful personalities and are pigs which makes me laugh. They have personalities like goldfish which I used to have in the past. The tag at petsmart says they only get to 3" long but I don't think that's accurate though maybe some don't grow as big as others. I think the dalmations do get quite big though.
Another option is to look on Craigs list, you can find great deals!

 

I have tried eBay but the prices were ridiculous and they were all must pick up! Which didn't work cause they were all on the otherside of the country. I haven't tried Craig's list mainly because I like to stay away from it, but I may have to give it a try. Thanks so much!