Nikki Casali wrote:
Elaine T wrote:

Nikki Casali wrote:

The sinking molly has been in the quarantine tank with 3ppt of salt
for a couple of days now. The medication I've used so far hasn't
improved her sinking condition. But she's become hyperactive and
can't stop begging for food. She looks on the skinny side, but that
could be to do with her swimming bladder not functioning properly.

I think I'll return her to the main tank in a week or so, whether she
floats or sinks.

Nikki

The increased activity and hunger is a good sign! I'd keep up with
the medicated food and supplement with algae flakes or blanched veggies.


There is no medicated food in the UK unless it is prescribed. I tried
some Hexamita cure for parasites the first few days with no improvement.
Nothing else has been dosed apart from salt. The water hasn't even been
changed.

Oops. I must have misread your last post.

I gave the molly a good look over today. And what do you know! The molly
has regained the ability to control its swimming bladder. I first
thought, all that turbulence from the filter and bubble stream must be
giving the fish an apparent ability to float. So I turned off
everything, but she still floated, mid-tank, without batting a fin.
What's that, a spontaneous self repair?

Yep. The salt takes any stress off of her kidneys, strengthens her
immune system, and kills off external parasites. By feeding her alone,
you've made sure that she's eating appropriate amounts of food.
Overeating can make it hard for a fish to empty or fill the swim bladder
and she may have been getting more of her share in the community.

Anyway, she's still on the thin side. I'll give her an extra helping of
flakes, see if that improves her weight. I'll continue with her in the
QT tank for another couple of weeks.

Nikki

Hope the swim bladder stays fixed!

--
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