Something's wrong with my lyretail Molly! Help!

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pzuzu

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Sep 23, 2005
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So I just started up my new 46 gallon tank. It had been running for several days. I tested the water and all the levels looked pretty good, even though I did use a strip test, not a chemical one. So I decided to get a starter fish for it. I got a beautiful Platinum (silver) Lyretail Molly. He was looking great all through that first night and the next day and second night. But when I checked on him the next morning, his tail looked like it had been getting tail rot. I have treated a platy with tailrot before with Melafix, and that fish is still alive and well to this day. So I figured I would use the same medication on the Molly. However, what concerns me is that at the tip of his back fin, where it connects to his body, it is all outlined in red. Is this normal? Does it mean it has something else besides tailrot? He's just hanging out at the top of the tank with his mouth on the surface of the water. I first noticed this yesterday, and last night I found him stuck to the filter twice! Luckily I keep two filters running, so I unplugged the one that he was getting stuck on. But I have a feeling he was doing this on purpose because whenever I would approach he would swim away. It was just scary seeing his body twisted around the filter tube.

Also, yes, I have cycled the tank with CYCLE. It's what I have always used with my other smaller tanks, and it has always worked out great.

If anyone has any other suggestions, I would appreciate it! This fish was incredibly beautiful, and I don't want him to die!

Thanks!
 
pzuzu said:
I first noticed this yesterday, and last night I found him stuck to the filter twice! Luckily I keep two filters running, so I unplugged the one that he was getting stuck on. But I have a feeling he was doing this on purpose because whenever I would approach he would swim away. It was just scary seeing his body twisted around the filter tubeQUOTE]

Whenever my fish are week and can't swim very well they always end up getting stuck in the filter. That's where I look if I can't find a fish in my tank. They are uaully dead or about ready to die. I don't want to scare you or anything. Just telling you what has happened to me. Best of luck!
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i think u may have some water problems from what u said.. looks like ur fish is having difficulty breathing and it may have weakened it too much..
i maybe wrong though
but we can never be sure without testing ur water accurately ryt?
 
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It sounds like nitrites gotten toxic .....my quick fix is to add 1 teaspoon of aqum. salt to every 10 gallons...it work for my fish a few weeks ago
 
yup, nitrites, OR possibly ammonia, because of the redness you saw on the fish. In either case water changes are in order ASAP as well as additional testing of course.
 
i would also suggest a quick visit to the thread about cycling. it sounds like you may have a few misconceptions.
 
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