Molly Strange Behavior

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have a dalmation molly female who may or may not be pregnant. She has started acting strangely. She sometimes lists to one side but then swims fine. Just now I saw her rolling over like a barrel roll.

I have a 40 gallon planted tank.
As of Monday all parameters were good (ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate between 20-40, ph 7.8)
I have 3 adult mollies (1 female and 2 male)
3 green cities
6 baby mollies
8 baby Mickey mouse platys


One of the baby platys seems to be harassing her a little.

The temperature has been stable but recent jumoe about a degree and a half.

Any thoughts as to what us going on?

 

Most likely swim bladder disorder.
It's an infection that affects the bladder and makes it so the fish can't balance.

Caused by stress, no variety in the diet, over feeding, or feeding foods that expand upon consumption.

What are you feeding?
Don't feed her for two days, then feed her a cooked deshelled pea.
Fiber works as a laxative and will push out the excess food as well as calm the digestive track and bladder.

You can also do in the food, mix whatever you feed with slightly salty water before feeding.
I assume it's the same as a bath, about 3tsp per gallon.

Also try to get variety in the diet and avoid bloodworms

 

I agree with Crazycoryfishlady

You should also keep M to F ratio 1:3 for each male you want at least 3 females. This is to keep them from harassing the one female.

 

I initially had more females I thought. Turns out I actually had more males

I'm feeding flakes and some blood worms but I can stop that. The males have left her alone until this week and one Male has been messing with her.

Will Epsom salt mess with the babies?

 

I initially had more females I thought. Turns out I actually had more males

I'm feeding flakes and some blood worms but I can stop that. The males have left her alone until this week and one Male has been messing with her.

Will Epsom salt mess with the babies?

It shouldnt but there's a possibility that it would be more salt than they need since their bodies are so tiny.
I'm honestly not sure about that.
The one thing I haven't used epsom on is babies.

Bloodworms are NOT The worst thing I'll for sure say that, but they for sure shouldn't be the number one thing, especially if they're freeze dried.
Those ones specifically cause problems.
Much like potatoes or puffed foods, they expand quite a bit while in the stomach, this means that while you may think you're giving them a small snack, it actually grows to be the size of a normal meal.

You can feed them, just more like once or twice a week instead of every day or every few days.
I personally homemake foods as well as purchase quite a few frozen foods.

Mine include veggies from squash to brussle sprouts, and frozen foods from cyclops to beefheart, shrimos and worms being the inbetween.
I also have a veggie frozen food, it contains spirulina worms, and seaweed along with some other veggies.

I feed at least one or two veggie meals a week, the others are mostly protien based but still have a bit of greens mixed in.

 

So this morning she is swimming normally. However, she is hiding and has popeye in one eye. I don't have a QT. I do have a 10 gallon tank with a female betta and a clown pleco. The only problem is the ph is slightly different.