Poofy fish
- Thread starter GooGirl
- Start date
Well, I haven't done a water change in quite a while... I'll start up the 5.5g again, and use that as a 'hospital' tank. But I know he will die.
Reason: both his siblings died, too. Brother: he turned 'squiggly'- S shaped, and couldn't swim well. He eventually died. Sister: She got sucked up the gravel vacuum and got her guts sucked out. I think there is something wrong with this breed line, because all of the siblings (that I have - some were given away) have died. They are from the gold dust molly, whereas all my other mollies came from black mollies.
Anyways, I know he will die - it's in the genes
Reason: both his siblings died, too. Brother: he turned 'squiggly'- S shaped, and couldn't swim well. He eventually died. Sister: She got sucked up the gravel vacuum and got her guts sucked out. I think there is something wrong with this breed line, because all of the siblings (that I have - some were given away) have died. They are from the gold dust molly, whereas all my other mollies came from black mollies.
Anyways, I know he will die - it's in the genes
With the first two deaths, I was doing good water changes, but I haven't done a water change in a couple weeks.
These fish are the first fish i've had born in my tank, and these three weren't bred in my tank-the mom was pregnant when I got her. Just so you know.
So, what exactly should I do? I can start with regular water changes, but what else?
These fish are the first fish i've had born in my tank, and these three weren't bred in my tank-the mom was pregnant when I got her. Just so you know.
So, what exactly should I do? I can start with regular water changes, but what else?
These fish are the first fish i've had born in my tank, and these three weren't bred in my tank-the mom was pregnant when I got her. Just so you know.
Keep doing, not start doing, regular water changes. Measure your water parameters weekly with a liquid test kit. More often if you have any readings you should not have (anything other than 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and over 20 nitrate).
Sorry for all of you 'perfect' fish keepers, but I have no money to get test kits, and don't intend to for a while. I have my eye on a $30 'master' liquid test kit that comes with like 800 tests for everything, like ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, etc., but I have 8 cents in my wallet at the moment...
When I said I didn't breed the fish in my tank, I said that because I thought you thought that it was my fault for the bad breeding
And sorry if I offended anyone, I'm having a bad day...
When I said I didn't breed the fish in my tank, I said that because I thought you thought that it was my fault for the bad breeding
And sorry if I offended anyone, I'm having a bad day...
OK, thanks. I appreciate all the help, I know you mean well, but everything that happens with my fish is always commented with 'Get a test kit!' and I keep telling everyone that I just can't afford one right now. I'm really sorry for all my, umm, fretting. I just want to know how to deal with things without relying on test kits! Sorry!
Anyways, (now that I got that out of my system) I've heard that dropsy could be both contagious, and not contagious. Which is correct?
Anyways, (now that I got that out of my system
) I've heard that dropsy could be both contagious, and not contagious. Which is correct?Dropsy is not a disease and is therefore not contagious. However, as it is caused by poor water conditions, fish living in the same aquarium are more likely to be affected in the same way.
Dealing With Dropsy
If you don't want to own a water testing kit, and can't get the water tested often (weekly until established, then every 2 weeks), I would just do frequent large water changes. A friend of mine is in the same boat (financially) as you are. She has 1 ten gallon tank and does a 50% water change on Thursdays and Sundays, and gets the water tested at a fish store on her way home from school on Wednesdays.
Dealing With Dropsy
If you don't want to own a water testing kit, and can't get the water tested often (weekly until established, then every 2 weeks), I would just do frequent large water changes. A friend of mine is in the same boat (financially) as you are. She has 1 ten gallon tank and does a 50% water change on Thursdays and Sundays, and gets the water tested at a fish store on her way home from school on Wednesdays.