whats wrong with my molly?

[moose1960]

Also posted in Brackish.

2 days ago my wife noticed the lone black molly swimming along the bottom scratching itself. Yesterday and today he is curled up like he is chasing his tail(almost as if he got sucked around the filter). He cant straighten up and is in an upside down position(like an upside down U).
Any ideas. I have moved him to a q tank yesterday but havent got a clue what to do?
He looks in rough shape but is still breathing.
I am thinking of putting him out of his misery, not sure what to do?
Any help please.
ps all other fish are ok.

[JeffP]

There is a nice article on sailfin mollies in the most recent (Jan or Feb 2003?) issue of TFH magazine. It includes some nice research on behalf of the author on some specific needs that mollies may have. Check it out.:)

[Serrateeth_2002]

Probably dropsy by the sounds of it,internal bacteria medication will work,i hope.

[JeffP]

Actually its the December issue of TFH. The author's mollys were dieing and many became disfigured and swam erratically before they died. You should read it for yourself to get a real understanding of the author's findings but in general it was water chemistry and nutritional issues and not a bacterial/viral/fungal issue.

[moose1960]

Jeff:

Could you tell me the pg number I have been trying to find it but I must be blind...lol
After 5 days of him chasing his tail so to speak I decided to put him to sleep. I just couldnt stand him floating in a ball untill I toucjehed him and then he would just swim in circles.
Another thought after reading a bit a my LFS was turbuculosis. It said curvatures of the spine. Could this of been what he had. No other fish in my tank are showing any signs of anything. All are happy and eatting and swimming like they should.

[JeffP]

The article is "Sailfin Secrets" on page 96 of the December 2002 issue of Tropical Fish Hobbyist.

Sorry about your fish.

[Roland Deschain]

I am having a similar issue with my sailfin molly. He began swimming erratically and it appeared that he had fungus around his mouth so I put him in a Q tank and medicated. The Fungus cleared so I put him back in general popsulation. He never lost his appetite and eats hardily still but has not re-gained his full swimming abilities and appears to have bouyancy issues. Yesterday I noticed that his body is curved along his spine. ANy ideas?

Thanks

[FishSeller]

I'm not trying to start a battle, but mollies, especially Sailfin Mollies require a fairly high amount of salt in their water. Shimmy can often be repaired by a few handfuls of salt.