i have a sailfin molly that i've had for a month or so. he eats well, but seems to be losing weight. his wife died a week ago - same thing, just started losing weight. i have a 65 gallon tank with 4 angels, 2 clown loaches, 2 pictus cats, 4 serpae tetras, 4 scissortail rasboras, 1 headlight tetra and 3 mollies. i don't see signs of aggression toward this fish at all - in fact, he is usually the aggressor. i see no signs of injury and his color still looks good. anyone have any ideas?
skinny fish
- Thread starter dmdiver
- Start date
Internal parasites? Try getting a medicated food for internal parasites, or soaking your foods in garlic prior to feeding. The use of garlic has many advocates, though the specific effects are sketchy. Lots of anecdotal support for it's use specifically with internal parasites.
Thats what I would have though but didnt want to be wrong again. I thought worms beacause when humans get tape worms they (im so special im beyond a human) lose weight like when you got tape worm but tape worms only go away with meds or if you $#!% it out which is kind of grose.
well, he eats flakes, how would i soak that in garlic? is that gonna make the tank stink? do the medicated foods hurt my loaches? - i'm very partial to them.
thanks!
thanks!
Medicated foods shouldn't harm any of your fish, but you should check the packaging for specific concerns. Medicated foods are generally more effective treatments than those that you dose into the water, since they actually get to the location of the infestation--inside the fish.
You don't want to soak flakes--it will turn them into a mush. See if you can pick up something solid--dried bloodworms, dried brine, ect, or a pack of either of these frozen. You could also try squishing and soaking peas--the fish will love them, and it will help pass anything that is in the intestinal tract. You can purchase the garlic from the grocery store or health food store--make sure it's packaged in water, not oil. There will be a slight odor, but it's not offensive and quickly fades, IME.
You don't want to soak flakes--it will turn them into a mush. See if you can pick up something solid--dried bloodworms, dried brine, ect, or a pack of either of these frozen. You could also try squishing and soaking peas--the fish will love them, and it will help pass anything that is in the intestinal tract. You can purchase the garlic from the grocery store or health food store--make sure it's packaged in water, not oil. There will be a slight odor, but it's not offensive and quickly fades, IME.
tapeworms
you know, ger, if you don't eat fleas or feces, you're not at high risk for getting tapeworms.
you know, ger, if you don't eat fleas or feces, you're not at high risk for getting tapeworms.
Mollys are brackish and need ocean salt in their water. Not having salt is ok for a little while but without it, it will jeopardize their immune system making them suseptible (spelling?) to disease and infection. My girlfriend made the same mistake a while ago before I got in brackishwater tanks.