Molly diseases – how to treat and prevent them

Mollies are a popular choice for many aquarium enthusiasts due to their vibrant colors and easygoing nature. However, like all fish, they can fall victim to various diseases that can affect their health and wellbeing. Understanding these diseases and knowing how to treat and prevent them is crucial for keeping your mollies happy and thriving.

We’ll examine a few of the common illnesses that can afflict mollies in this guide, including parasitic problems and fungus infections. We’ll go over warning signs to look out for and provide helpful guidance on available treatments. Since prevention is the key, we’ll also go over best practices for maintaining the condition of your aquarium.

You can maintain the health and vibrancy of your mollies by being proactive. You’ll be able to take care of any health problems that come up and keep your aquarium looking lovely and healthy with the correct information and attention.

Non-infectious diseases

Chlorine poisoning

Mollies frequently suffer from chlorine poisoning. The primary signs and symptoms consist of:

  1. It is difficult for fish to breathe.
  2. A white coating resembling mucus appears on the gills.
  3. The body color is lighter.
  4. The fish behaves restlessly, tries to leave the aquarium.
  5. After a while, they stop moving.
  6. Do not respond to irritants.

Usually, death happens suddenly, before the owner has a chance to comprehend what is happening or, more importantly, act. It is advised to routinely test the water for chlorine in order to avoid this. Before adding tap water to the aquarium, use water conditioners and settle the water. Additionally, avoid changing more than one-third of the water at once.

As soon as the first symptoms of poisoning show up, all living things are transferred to an area with fresh, clean water.

Oxygen deficiency

In this instance, the following outside indicators show up:

  1. Mollies are restless.
  2. They are mainly located at the surface of the water.
  3. They gasp for air.

The snails, if any, also crawl to the surface when there is not enough oxygen. The fish eventually suffocate, lose their appetite, and become infertile—all of which result in death. Installing a more potent air compressor right away is advised.

Unstable water temperature

Mollies become overly active when the temperature regime is significantly higher than what is acceptable. People start to ascend, and oxygen shortage is noticed. Living things that are exposed to excessive heat experience early aging and death.

Fish lie on the bottom and become inactive in low-temperature environments. Underwater life in such water eventually becomes ill and eventually dies.

Installing a thermometer is advised in order to keep an eye on the temperature regime and stop it from rising or falling to dangerously high or low levels.

Alkaline disease

There are various forms of this illness:

  1. alkalosis – high alkali level;
  2. acidosis – low alkali level.

Alkalosis is characterized by increased activity, expanded gills, the appearance of mucus traces, and a markedly lighter color.

Acidosis symptoms include:

  • excessive shyness;
  • sedimentary;
  • swim upside down, side by belly.

The alkali level of the water is monitored during treatment, and this indicator is progressively increased or decreased to a normal state.

Obesity

This illness develops when the fish are overfed and the feed has a high fat content. Internal organs such as the liver and kidneys suffer when overfed. Mollinesias get noticeably bigger, develop rounded edges, and essentially stop moving. In these situations, the fish not only become infertile but also perish.

It’s simple to mistake Molly, who is pregnant, for the overgrowth. On the other hand, it makes sense to address fish obesity if the population as a whole has grown.

It is advised to include a variety of feed in the diet to prevent this. You are not allowed to feed more than once or twice a week in order to prevent prevention. The aquarium should also be the right size to allow all of its inhabitants to move around freely.

Keep in mind that fish can die from overeating! Feeding them too little is preferable to overfeeding them.

Gas embolism

A higher oxygen concentration can cause blood vessel blockage and interfere with blood circulation. The first signs are described as follows: the mollies become restless, their gills almost completely stop moving, and they primarily swim sideways.

It is important to carefully inspect the aquarium because little air bubbles can form on the equipment, plants, decorative pieces, walls, and fish. If action is not taken quickly, this results in the development of embolism and certain death. Gently stir the water to create a small whirlpool and continue until all of the bubbles are gone.

Live plants and equipment must be inspected. It’s critical to realize that plants have the capacity to release excessive amounts of oxygen. Additionally, after changing the water, a similar phenomenon frequently happens. Exercise caution!

Although molly fish are common in aquariums, they can suffer from a number of illnesses that shorten their lives and harm their health. It’s essential to recognize the early warning signs of common illnesses, how to treat and prevent them, and how to keep your mollies healthy. This guide will walk you through the essential procedures for keeping your mollies healthy so they stay vibrant and disease-free.

Contagious diseases of mollies

White-skinned

Mollies with white skin exhibit dramatic changes in appearance, including pale to completely white body color and possibly white eyes. Most sick people are found in the uppermost layers of the water. The pathogen can enter the environment through plants or by way of new animals.

If the disease is found, the fish are separated, the water and soil are disinfected, and chloramphenicol is added.

Fin rot

Is conceivably the most prevalent illness that exists. can impact fish of all kinds. Bad water or mechanical damage are the causes of this careless appearance.

The fins become lighter, more distorted, and smaller in size. Sometimes the body develops ulcers, and the belly enlarges.

This picture shows a swordtail with fin rot; the disease affects all fish species in the same way.

It will be required to replace the water and send the plants for quarantine and disinfection in order to begin treatment. After removing the infected people, the container is filled with a levomycetin-based solution.

Mycobacteriosis

Mollies are among the viviparous fish that are primarily affected by this kind of illness. Mollies exhibit altered behavior, practically ceasing to move, losing their sense of direction, and refusing food outright. Some fish may get growths all over their bodies, eyes that enlarge, ulcers, and abscesses. Fish frequently develop black spots, lose their vision, and have bones come out of their bodies. Fish tuberculosis is the disease’s alternate name. Use an antibacterial according to the directions on the label for treatment. Restarting an infected aquarium is necessary. Clean all furnishings, landscaping, decorations, and dirt.

Only in cases where the disease is discovered early on is treatment feasible. Minocycline and copper sulfate are used for this.

Hexamitosis

A flagellate is the disease’s causative agent. It enters the gall bladder and intestines. Organs inside the body are impacted. Carriers are thought of as infected individuals, and aquarium water of low quality promotes development.

  1. Mollies refuse to eat.
  2. Body color becomes lighter.
  3. The individual tries to stay away from other inhabitants.
  4. Mucus appears on the body.
  5. Bumps and pits on the head.

One name for hexamitosis is hole disease. Similar to human traces of chickenpox, those who have recovered from the illness will bear scars for the rest of their lives.

It is possible to receive treatment early on. The water is heated to +35 degrees in order to accomplish this. Another option is to get a different container and make a solution in it. To 10 liters of water, add 250 milliliters of metronidazole.

Ulcer disease

Poor-quality fish food can introduce bacteria into the aquarium, and purchasing a fish that is already ill carries the risk of spreading the illness to other fish in the tank. Signs:

  1. The appearance of dark spots on the body of the fish, which after a while become ulcers.
  2. Exophthalmos appears, the eyes swell.
  3. Loss of appetite.

The body is gradually impacted by the infection. Therapy is needed right away. To do this, the sick fish is put in a different container with a weak potassium permanganate solution.

Invasive diseases

Glugeosis

One of the most dangerous kinds of diseases is this one. The entire body is immediately affected by glugeosis, and there is no known cure.

Among the signs, the following stand out:

  1. The appearance of bruises.
  2. White spots appear on the body, after which cones form in their place.
  3. Mollies swim on their side.

An infected individual is taken out of the main aquarium right away and disposed of. The aquarium is cleaned and filled again.

Trichodinosis

Pathogens that cause trichomoniasis enter the aquarium through live food, plants, and soil. The fish get infected if its immune system is weakened enough to combat the infection. Those who are most vulnerable are the first to fall ill. The bacteria grow more potent and spread throughout the aquarium, eventually infecting every creature as their condition deteriorates.

  1. The fish constantly rub against different surfaces.
  2. A coating appears on the body.
  3. The gills become lighter.
  4. Mucus appears.
  5. A thin body, as appetite disappears.
  6. Frequent and difficult breathing.

When caught in its early stages, treatment is feasible. After removing the sick mollies, the water is gradually heated to +31 degrees and table salt is added (20 g of salt for every 10 liters).

Ichthyobodosis

Similar to the preceding instance, the infection spreads via food, vegetation, and soil. The body starts to break down gradually as mucus traces start to show. The gill covers change color, and the fins adhere to one another. It is evident that the ill fish occasionally rises to the water’s surface to breathe.

To administer treatment, transfer the patient to a different container, gradually warm the water to +35 degrees, and then add methylene salt.

Disease Treatment & Prevention
Ich (White Spot) Treat with an anti-ich medication. Increase temperature slightly to speed up the life cycle of the parasite. Maintain good water quality.
Fin Rot Use a fin rot treatment from an aquarium store. Perform regular water changes and ensure no physical damage to fins.
Velvet (Gold Dust) Treat with copper-based medication. Increase water temperature and ensure high water quality.
Dropsy Use antibiotic treatment. Improve water conditions and avoid overfeeding. It might be too late if the fish is severely swollen.
Swim Bladder Disorder Feed a varied diet, including high-quality pellets and live food. Avoid overfeeding and provide a balanced diet.
Hole-in-the-Head Disease Use a treatment with vitamins and minerals. Improve overall water quality and ensure a balanced diet.

More than just making sure Molly fish have a clean tank and healthy food are involved in taking care of them. It’s critical to recognize the warning signs of illness and to take prompt action to treat and prevent illnesses. The keys to maintaining your Mollies’ health and happiness are regular tank maintenance, ideal water conditions, and a balanced diet.

It can assist you to address issues before they become more serious if you are aware of the common diseases that affect Mollies and their symptoms. The best way to guarantee your fish recovers quickly is to take action early, whether that means treating with medication or modifying the conditions in your tank. For the purpose of preventing further damage, make sure you investigate and employ therapies created especially for Mollies.

Disease prevention is just as important as treatment. Maintaining the stability of the aquarium environment, abstaining from overstocking, and keeping your Mollies clean will all help to keep them healthy. You can contribute to your fish’s vibrant, disease-free life by continuing to be proactive.

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Ivan Kononov

Experienced aquarist with an emphasis on breeding and keeping exotic aquarium fish. Author of many articles and books on the topic of aquarium keeping. Always in search of new species and interesting solutions for home aquariums. I believe that an aquarium is not only a home decoration, but also a means of studying nature and its laws.

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