[Handean]

Help needed urgently. I'm a beginner with tropical freshwater fish and have been doing reasonably well so far but have a big problem all of a sudden. My 1st Catfish was doing really well and when we looked in the tank last night he was dead. Today my other little Catfish has done the same and my Sailfin Molly (who is greedy but never had an issue) has bloated up. We did have to put our fry into the big tank urgently the other day as our breed tank had leaked? The fry were about 6 weeks old and we're a decent size however some have disappeared? We had put this down to our Silver Dollars as I had seen one devour a fry, I'm assuming mistaking it for food as they are vegetarian? Do I sound like a complete idiot? I'm very worried for my Molly now. Can anyone advise?

 

[TangibleTetra]

Hello, Maybe your molly is pregnant again? If you have males in with her thats deffinetly possible. Could you send a pic maybe?

 

[TangibleTetra]

For your fry though, if they are still quite small (size of a larger fishes mouth) they may still get eaten. Providing lots of cover for them is a good idea, including floating plants on the top. Sometimes my guppy fry get very bloated, but within an hour it goes down. Maybe your molly just has to dispose of its bodily waste Untill you get a seperate breeeding tank i would purchase breeding net if thats possible. It will protect your fry from the other fish.

 

[Handean]

Thanks for getting back to me. The Molly is a male. The fry are from a Guppy. We had an issue with the tank and had to get them in to the big tank quickly. Quite a few survived thankfully. We have now got 2 ranks up and running again and gave quarantined 'Vector'. He has lost a little bloating but I have just noticed an issue with a scale on his side which I'm assuming is not a good sign (excuse my ignorance, I'm learning a lot fast!) I was particularly worried as I lost my 2 healthy Catfish within 24 hours and wondered if it was related? I don't wNt to lose anymore if I can help it. I've found out about a fish specialist 20 mins from me so I'm off there now. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated and I'll keep you posted. I've taken a pic of his scale. Just hoping I can post it correctly!?
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[Handean]

Mmmm? My pic is not pasting? Any clues as to how I load a photo?
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[TangibleTetra]

Oh i see. No problem, your not being ignorant at all! I was browsing over some websites the other day for my guppy when i came upon this. I remembered seeing it and went back... heres the info. It could be this: Dropsy


Physical/Behavioral Signs or Symptoms:

• Bloating.
• Protruding scales.

Cause:
A bacterial infection of the kidneys, which causes fluid accumulation or renal failure. It appears to create problems only in weakened fish. May stem from untidy aquarium conditions.

Treatment:
External treatments are challenging; preventative care with regular water changes, maintaining ideal aquarium chemistry and adding aquarium salt is highly recommended. Antibiotic injections or feed are most effective, but some wide spectrum antibiotics may help like Tetra Fungus Guard®.

Explains what might be going on with your molly. Quarantining him is a very good idea, im not sure if its contageous but just incase. Wouldnt want anyone else getting sick!

As for the pic, if its on your phone i have no clue DX Havent posted a pic before Ill try and find out for you, get back on that one.

 

[TangibleTetra]

Some research and info i found on dropsy...

The disease is actually an infection caused by bacteria that are commonly present in all aquariums. Consequently, any species of fish can be stricken with Dropsy. Fish are only susceptible when their immune system has been compromised by some stress factor.

If all the fish in the tank are under stress, it’s quite common for the entire tank to become infected.

Some symptoms:

• Grossly swollen belly
• Scales stand out (pinecone appearance)
• Eyes bulge
• Gills become pale
• Anus becomes red and swollen
• Feces pale and stringy
• Ulcers form on the body along the lateral line
• Spine may become curved
• Fish clamps fins
• Fish becomes lethargic
• Fish stops eating
• Fish hangs near the surface

It is also possible for only one or two fish to fall ill, especially when prompt action is taken to prevent spread of the disease.

 

[TangibleTetra]

Here was the treatment, unfortunatly it said mortality rate was high

• Move sick fish to a hospital tank
• Add salt to hospital tank, 1 tsp per gallon
• Feed fresh high quality foods
• Treat with antibiotics

Oh and as far as the catfish im not sure I have had it happen to a couple fish before when i first started a couple years back, never since. Never knew why... but do you have the catfish in groups? Iv heard they need at least 5 to be happy and active. Dpends on the type i guess though.

 

[TangibleTetra]

Sorry for the spam! I did find out how to attach files though, when you post a thread go to insert image. You should be able to browse your photos and attach the one you want. It should bring you to a manage uploads attachment where you can upload that image then close that window and submit your thread with the pic attached. Thats on the computer though... i dont know what its like on mobile devices :/

 

[Handean]

Wow! Thank you so much for all the info I had heard of Dropsy and had my suspicions having googled the symptoms. He has all the issues mentioned in your thread so I'm hoping all the stuff I drove 2.5 hours to get (!) is going to have some impact. I'm not holding out much hope, I realise it's likely to be fatal but gotta give a bash. The others all seem happy and healthy (touch wood). I got a new tank whilst I was out with a fabulous filtration system so I'm hoping that's going to keep conditions a little better. We have had problems keeping this tank up to the same standard as the newer, smaller tank we use for pregnant Guppies. Fingers crossed. I'll keep you informed. Many thanks again
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[Handean]

Oh yes, sorry, with regards to the Catfish. We had one 'Puss in Boots' who was gorgeous. Very happy, quite a character and then we got him a friend 'Kitty Soft Paws' and they were very happy and healthy. It's bewildered us to be honest as both had been normal and active and then literally 'dropped dead'? I'm guessing they had picked up something on the bottom we had missed although we have been super keen to remove old food there's always going to be something you miss Very sad as they were my babies and I loved watching them. Roll on new tank days
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[angelcraze]

Is it possible that your molly over-ate? Maybe all the guppy fry? (sorry) But too much high protein can cause bloat. I didn't want you to panic with dropsy right away, with dropsy, all the scales will stick out like a pinecone. I didn't see any pics, but I don't think one scale would be anything to worry about.

If you think it may be bloat from over-eating, I can give you some pointers, let me know!! I don't know what to say about your catfish, I am sorry for your loss.

It would help if you were able to give some tank specs. like size of tank, inhabitants, how long it's been running. If you have a test kit, did you use it? What were the result? If you don't, do you notice if the water looks cloudy at all, or if there is any 'odd' odour to it? How are the other fish, besides the molly? Is your molly hiding, or swimming funny?

Sorry for all the questions, it would be best to figure out what happened to the catfish and go from there.

 

[TangibleTetra]

Wow! Thank you so much for all the info I had heard of Dropsy and had my suspicions having googled the symptoms. He has all the issues mentioned in your thread so I'm hoping all the stuff I drove 2.5 hours to get (!) is going to have some impact. I'm not holding out much hope, I realise it's likely to be fatal but gotta give a bash. The others all seem happy and healthy (touch wood). I got a new tank whilst I was out with a fabulous filtration system so I'm hoping that's going to keep conditions a little better. We have had problems keeping this tank up to the same standard as the newer, smaller tank we use for pregnant Guppies. Fingers crossed. I'll keep you informed. Many thanks again
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Your very welcome. Its always good to try, i wouldnt want to leave him there either. I hope he pulls through for you! Glad i can help Sorry about your catfish. Thats very sad, sucks when that happens. :-? But yes do keep me posted

 

[Handean]

Hi Angelcraze. Thanks for your reply and info. All the other fish are well and happy. The Silver Dollars are a little cramped at the mo though but feeding and acting normal. Unfortunately I lost Vector last night. I did everything possible in the time but it wasn't to be
We have a brand spanking tank purchased yesterday whilst getting relevant medication for Vector. I'll give dimensions now to both of you as I'm sure I'll be needing advice on a regular basis. It's a 95L Fluval tank. Has a central panel with filtration system and heater in. LED lighting as I (& our Silver Dollars, Harry & Keith) always hated our old one with the strip light. It's currently set up and getting to temp. We've aged the water & I've added a little enhancer to eliminate nitrates and ammonia. Would you suggest Stress Coat as well at this stage or not?
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[TangibleTetra]

Aww im sorry he didnt make it. :/ I wouldnt put my stress coat in no, not untill you put your fishies in. You plan to cycle it first? Or are you going to use old tank media to transfer the bacteria into the new tank?

 

[Handean]

Ok new one on me? What do you mean by cycle it? Here I am being ignorant again:-0
I'm planning on transferring 50% of the tank water they're in? Would you say that would be sufficient?
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[Handean]

Hi Tangible Tetra. I've researched cycling my new tank. We're a bit stuck to be honest as we desperately need to get the Silver Dollars and remaining Sailfin in to the big tank. The Dollars are so cramped and I daren't put them back in the old tank in case of disease. Any thoughts?
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[angelcraze]

I don't know what to suggest exactly, but if you add all your fish into a new tank that's not cycled, you will most likely run into problems again. I get you don't want to use sponges from your old tank's filter in case of disease, do you have a friend with a tank, for which they can give you some media with beneficial bacteria? If not, see if your local fish store has any product that claims to contain 'live nitrifying bacteria', as this would be your next best option to provide the best environment for your fishies with with your plans.

I didn't explain everything from the beginning, since you've said you read up the the cycling process. Does it make sense to you?

 

[Handean]

Absolutely does yes. I shall go to the Suppliers tomorrow. I'm sure they'll have the necessary. Many thanks for the advice ;-)
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[TangibleTetra]

Thats a very good idea angelcraze, wish i knew that was possible since i had a very similiar issue. For your old tank, take the dollars out and vaccum the crap out of it. Do a huge water change and replace with some new stuff, I think its better for them to be in a clean small tank then in a size fit but uncycled tank...

I wouldnt rush the cycling, but if you need to do a fish cycle, you may loose a few fish. If you make sure ammonia and nitrate stays down you should be ok