FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I have had a 50 gal. tank for about 8 months, I took my water in to pet smart for a test and it was ok. I had 6 black mollies in the tank and 4 have died, they get skinny and then die. The last 2 are starting to show the same signs of skinnyness I supect they have parasities, but being a newby to this I don't know. If it is parasites what should I treat them with or any other suggestions or ideas on what I shoud do? Thanks

my suggestion is allow the remaining two to die as if you med now it will just stress them out and they will die anyway. if they are showing signs chances are its too late. I also suggest you find another LFS to use as petsmart and petco are not very reliable with good stock...

\\\\\\\"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure\\\\\\\"

You can try looking for medicated food for parasites, not guaranteed to work, but it may be worth a shot to you. If you have a hospital tank or a breeding trap, it may be good to move them so you can be sure they're getting the medicated food.

Who else is in the tank with them? Have you seen them eating at all? Or pooping? They could be outcompeted for food, or just not getting enough if they are getting some. How's the filtration in the tank? Do they have somewhere out of the currant to go so they don't exhaust themselves?

Brandeeno is correct in that often some of the larger chain stores (wlmrt as well as ptsmrt and ptco) often don't care for their stock properly. Flip through your phone book and see if you can find a local fish store. Their prices may be a little higher, and they're not always a sure bet when it comes to good stock, but they often are better. Also, when picking out stock don't just go in one day and buy (especially from the chains!). Instead, go in and have a look, then come back later in the week perhaps in the evenings or during dinner time and have a look. The tanks at chain stores can look a lot different in the morning when they just opened than they do in the evenings when they're swamped with customers and havent had a chance to remove deceased fish. And as always, when buying fish, make sure you quarantine them for a few weeks (3-4) to make sure they don't introduce any nasties into the tank.
One other thought, were they adult mollies you bought or young fry? Is it possible they're just old?

^_^

Sounds like you have had a serious problem and it still is in the last remaining two fish.

Did you buy all those fish at the same time from the same LFS?
If so it looks like there were problems long before you bought them.
Is there any thing else in the tank and have any of those fish been dying or look very sick?
I agree with by what I have heard here many of these chain stores leave much to be desired. I would locate a good LFS.
If these fish look like they are dying I suggest you put them out of their misery.
I would also like to know a lot more about your tank that means every thing then we can assist you in getting your tank up and running to a very good standard.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

What did the store employee use to test your water? A strip? Drops?

Saint Paul, Minnesota USA 20g Freshwater Started June 10th 2008
-> Tank Info In Profile <-