Is My Black Molly Dead..?

Hello! I fear my black molly may have died.. it went into its barrel that I placed and its not moving. Its fins aren't moving, nor its tail which usually has movement when idle or resting. And I don't see it breathing, but its difficult to tell because its in that barrel. And I can't take a picture because of the barrel and such.

More information:

For the past few days he hasnt been his active self, and hasnt been eating much. Usually he would be going crazy over food. I fed him once a day in the morning and I fed him fish flakes. The tempature is fine, and his (potential) death happened about a week after he had babys (But he wasn't the one pregnant, he is a male black molly) And the female is fine. I fear for the other fish, as I have bonded with them and the black molly. And this is upsetting.. How long should I wait before I confirm his death? An hour?

 

Have you tried moving the barrel to see if you can stir him?

 

Have you tried moving the barrel to see if you can stir him?

I just did. No movement. I think he is now dead. I have no clue how long he has been dead, as I was away for about 6 hours visiting my family.

 

What are your water parameters? And are any of your other fish showing signs of distress?

 

What are your water parameters? And are any of your other fish showing signs of distress?

Other fish are fine, their pretty hyper actually. tempature is normal, not sure what you mean by water parameters. The fish tank is nice and clear, 5 gallons.. (The fish size are the smallest of their species, and the worker suggested it to me so its fine..)

 

hey due to the small nature of the tank, it might be ammonia / nitrite poisoning.

what are the fishes you have in the tank , i'd recommend picking up the freshwater master test kit. the liquid drop one, as its the most accurate for identifying your water quality (what water parameters are)

clear water doesn't necessarily mean safe water.

 

Mollies definitely need a bigger tank. You will get a lot of bad info from some pet stores; it is usually best to do your own research first.

 

Mollies definitely need a bigger tank. You will get a lot of bad info from some pet stores; it is usually best to do your own research first.

Well the mollies I have are pretty much adults and they fit the tank. Pretty small, actually. And I don't wanna just get rid of my 2 other fish because of tank size, they seem to like the tank and they fit the tank just fine.

 

Very likely to be ammonia or nitrite poisoning IMO with 2 mollies and other fish in a 5g. Mollies are big waste producers and females can get up to 5 inches, and since you have a male and female, they can very quickly overrun the tank with fry.

What are the other fish? Does the tank have a filter and heater? What exactly is the temperature?

Your profile says you don't know the nitrogen cycle, so I would read up and understand that first.

Parameters means readings for pH, ammonia, nitrite.

I agree that pet stores, more often than not, don't give accurate information.

 

Very likely to be ammonia or nitrite poisoning IMO with 2 mollies and other fish in a 5g. Mollies are big waste producers and females can get up to 5 inches, and since you have a male and female, they can very quickly overrun the tank with fry.

What are the other fish? Does the tank have a filter and heater? What exactly is the temperature?

Your profile says you don't know the nitrogen cycle, so I would read up and understand that first.

Parameters means readings for pH, ammonia, nitrite.

I agree that pet stores, more often than not, don't give accurate information.

Well the mollies are full adults like and they are small. They already have birth, but they all got eaten by the parents.

 

A 5 gallon tank is too small for any type of molly. They are fully capable of breeding well before they are full grown, although in such a small tank and depending on how long they have been in there it is entirely possible their growth has been permanently stunted. Such a small tank with such a high bioload fish is asking for toxic water and health problems. Please don't take any of this personally; you asked a question and we are answering it. Sometimes it may not be the answer you want to hear but it is what it is.

 

A 5 gallon tank is too small for any type of molly. They are fully capable of breeding well before they are full grown, although in such a small tank and depending on how long they have been in there it is entirely possible their growth has been permanently stunted. Such a small tank with such a high bioload fish is asking for toxic water and health problems. Please don't take any of this personally; you asked a question and we are answering it. Sometimes it may not be the answer you want to hear but it is what it is.

So what do I do? I can't just go to the pet store and say "Yea these fish? I don't want them"? And I won't flush them alive either, I will never do that. And aren't betta fish kinda small for a 5 gallon?

 

My advice is to upgrade if possible, and if not see about rehoming them. Some pet stores will take fish in, just ask. And I'm glad to hear you wouldn't just flush them, that certainly isn't right.

As for bettas a 5 gallon is perfect. A minimum of 2.5 gallons is recommended so a 5 gallon would be fine. All of mine are in their own 5 gallon with heaters and filters. A lot of stores will tell you that they can live in those tiny cups or small, unheated tanks but the betta is a tropical fish that needs warm water and filtration to stay healthy. Those cups are the equivalent of a person spending their life in a space the size of an average bathroom.

 

My advice is to upgrade if possible, and if not see about rehoming them. Some pet stores will take fish in, just ask. And I'm glad to hear you wouldn't just flush them, that certainly isn't right.

As for bettas a 5 gallon is perfect. A minimum of 2.5 gallons is recommended so a 5 gallon would be fine. All of mine are in their own 5 gallon with heaters and filters. A lot of stores will tell you that they can live in those tiny cups or small, unheated tanks but the betta is a tropical fish that needs warm water and filtration to stay healthy. Those cups are the equivalent of a person spending their life in a space the size of an average bathroom.

Ill look into rehoming my fish, however there is a large snowstorm coming in a couple days so it might be a while. And I thought one betta fish was a bit too small for a 5g, and I want my tank to be lively with as many fish as I can, but I cannot upgrade my tank because of the limited room in my home. I can only fit one 5 gallon tank. I fear the betta will just get lonley in a 5 gallon tank with no other fish

 

Until you are able to rehome, i'd do daily water changes of around 25% and get an API test kit (liquid, not the strips- those are inaccurate). 5 gallon is unfortunately not big enough for much more than a betta. You can always get some snails to go with him, or turn it into a planted shrimp tank. You can have quite a few in a 5g, there are many different color varieties and you would be surprised at the amount of activity and personality you get with them.

 

Ill look into rehoming my fish, however there is a large snowstorm coming in a couple days so it might be a while. And I thought one betta fish was a bit too small for a 5g, and I want my tank to be lively with as many fish as I can, but I cannot upgrade my tank because of the limited room in my home. I can only fit one 5 gallon tank. I fear the betta will just get lonley in a 5 gallon tank with no other fish

On the contrary, bettas PREFER to be alone and will be very aggressive towards other tank mates. Bettas are also fun to watch and have great personalities.

 

Until you are able to rehome, i'd do daily water changes of around 25% and get an API test kit (liquid, not the strips- those are inaccurate). 5 gallon is unfortunately not big enough for much more than a betta. You can always get some snails to go with him, or turn it into a planted shrimp tank. You can have quite a few in a 5g, there are many different color varieties and you would be surprised at the amount of activity and personality you get with them.

Well, if you don't mind linking me to an accurate post somewhere on the internet that includes all fish, shrimp, snails, etc that a 5 gallon can hold, that would be appreciated

 

And I understand not having room for anything bigger... we've all been there at some point.

 

On the contrary, bettas PREFER to be alone and will be very aggressive towards other tank mates. Bettas are also fun to watch and have great personalities.

Ive heard good things about bettas. Like they really bonded with their owners, and someone I saw online says their betta makes a happy little dance when they come by

 

Ive heard good things about bettas. Like they really bonded with their owners, and someone I saw online says their betta makes a happy little dance when they come by

If you were to get a betta you wouldn't be disappointed! They are so much fun! I currently have 6, all in 5 gallon tanks, and each has their own little personality and quirks. They are far from boring!

 

Ive heard good things about bettas. Like they really bonded with their owners, and someone I saw online says their betta makes a happy little dance when they come by

Mine gets super excited when he hears me shaking his food container, and comes up to the glass shaking with anticipation. He also likes sleeping in a little glass jar or on top of his heater.

 

If you were to get a betta you wouldn't be disappointed! They are so much fun! I currently have 6, all in 5 gallon tanks, and each has their own little personality and quirks. They are far from boring!

Alright. So I'm allowed to put some snails and shrimp with my betta, and nothing will get attacked? If so, how many snails/shrimp can I put?

 

Alright. So I'm allowed to put some snails and shrimp with my betta, and nothing will get attacked? If so, how many snails/shrimp can I put?

Snails will be fine. Shrimp depends on the temperament of your betta. All of my guys have amano or cherry shrimp with them and they don't have a problem with them, but I've heard some bettas eat them. If you plant it nicely (fake or living) and have plenty of safe places for your shrimp you should be ok. I've got 3-5 snails and around 5-8 shrimp in each tank.

 

On the contrary, bettas PREFER to be alone and will be very aggressive towards other tank mates. Bettas are also fun to watch and have great personalities.

I think vortexed was talking about the shrimp. Can either do a single betta in the 5 gallon or do shrimp. That's what I understood anyway

Snails will be fine. Shrimp depends on the temperament of your betta. All of my guys have amano or cherry shrimp with them and they don't have a problem with them, but I've heard some bettas eat them. If you plant it nicely (fake or living) and have plenty of safe places for your shrimp you should be ok. I've got 3-5 snails and around 5-8 shrimp in each tank.

I have 2 bettas. One can live with shrimp and snails, the other will kill everything including snails... it really comes down to the individual betta.

Re-homing fish sucks. I'll be re-homing two soon. Makes me sad but it's for the best

 

It is also fun to hold a small mirror up to the tank and let them see their reflection... They flare up and really flaunt their stuff, and then feel 10 feet tall when the other fish runs away (.. you remove the mirror). They act like little diva kings for a while afterwards Don't leave the mirror or do it too often, but it gives them some positive mental stimulation.

 

Snails will be fine. Shrimp depends on the temperament of your betta. All of my guys have amano or cherry shrimp with them and they don't have a problem with them, but I've heard some bettas eat them. If you plant it nicely (fake or living) and have plenty of safe places for your shrimp you should be ok. I've got 3-5 snails and around 5-8 shrimp in each tank.

Here is my 5 gallon fish tank with the two remaining fish. Any more stocking suggestions? Like how much snails or shrimp I should put with my future betta? And yea I know a lot about bettas. If I do the mirror thing too much they get stressed, but yea lol it sounds fun (Be aware the shells in the tank are not snails, just decoration.)

 

Here is my 5 gallon fish tank with the two remaining fish. Any more stocking suggestions? Like how much snails or shrimp I should put with my future betta? And yea I know a lot about bettas. If I do the mirror thing too much they get stressed, but yea lol it sounds fun (Be aware the shells in the tank are not snails, just decoration.)

You could do:

1 betta
2 nerite snails
5 dwarf shrimp

 

You could do:

1 betta
2 nerite snails
5 dwarf shrimp

Ok thanks. Ill attempt to convince my family to do so. Do you like my tank by the way?

 

I agree with Fahn on the stocking. And your tank looks great You've done nicely with such a small space to be creative in.

 

Ok thanks. Ill attempt to convince my family to do so. Do you like my tank by the way?

Just make sure your tank is cycled before adding shrimp. And your tank is very colorful, a betta would love that barrel as a hiding spot.

 

Just make sure your tank is cycled before adding shrimp. And your tank is very colorful, a betta would love that barrel as a hiding spot.

What does it mean to cycle my tank?

 

Ooh if you rehome all your fish you could restart from the beginning and we'd love to help with that

 

What does it mean to cycle my tank?

nitrogen cycle

read the bold text at the top. a cycled tank is one in which their is an established colony of beneficial bacteria in your filter media (that's why you don't wanna throw away filter pads). when a colony is established, they can keep your ammonia and nitrite levels in check, keeping the water healthier and cleaner.

 

nitrogen cycle

read the bold text at the top. a cycled tank is one in which their is an established colony of beneficial bacteria in your filter media (that's why you don't wanna throw away filter pads). when a colony is established, they can keep your ammonia and nitrite levels in check, keeping the water healthier and cleaner.

Ooh if you rehome all your fish you could restart from the beginning and we'd love to help with that

Is there some way we can chat live? Thatd be a bit helpful. Even if it was on a separate application, like discord.

 

Haha it's not complicated but what do you need help with

 

I'll explain:

Fish waste, decomposing plants, and uneaten food create ammonia.

Ammonia is broken down by helpful bacteria into nitrites.

Nitrites are broken down further by different bacteria into nitrates.

Live plants and water changes keep nitrates at safe levels, preferably less than 20 ppm.

The problem is, a new filter has no helpful bacteria, so ammonia can build to toxic levels. To prevent this, you do partial water changes frequently, and can speed up the process of establishing a helpful bacteria colony with products such as Seachem Stability and Tetra SafeStart. After a beneficial bacterial colony is established, your filter can safely break down ammonia into nitrates faster than your fish can produce it.

 

I'll explain:

Fish waste, decomposing plants, and uneaten food create ammonia.

Ammonia is broken down by helpful bacteria into nitrites.

Nitrites are broken down further by different bacteria into nitrates.

Live plants and water changes keep nitrates at safe levels, preferably less than 20 ppm.

The problem is, a new filter has no helpful bacteria, so ammonia can build to toxic levels. To prevent this, you do partial water changes frequently, and can speed up the process of establishing a helpful bacteria colony with products such as Seachem Stability and Tetra SafeStart. After a beneficial bacterial colony is established, your filter can safely break down ammonia into nitrates faster than your fish can produce it.

I agree with Fahn on the stocking. And your tank looks great You've done nicely with such a small space to be creative in.

Haha it's not complicated but what do you need help with

If you three want to help me live or in the future when I re home my fish, join this discord. I just made it, so now we can talk live and itll be easier . If you click the link itll guide you to sign up if you haven't already. Ill delete this link if the moderators don't like me doing this. I'm not trying to advertise, just an easier way of communication. Oh and thanks for the explanation