Dying baby molly

Question
QUESTION: HI. I have a molly (not sure the actual breed,but I've looked on the e-net and suspect it's a molly) that was a gift and I was not prepared for a fish. On the way home, the fish started having babies. All 20 babies and the mom were healthy and all alive in a separate tanks a week and a half later when one morning I found the mom dead on the tile. A week and a half later I gave away all the babies except five. Those I kept in a 3 gallon tank with no water filter or heater. About a week later I found one dead at the bottom of the tank, bright white. (the original color was orange) The next day the same thing happened to a second one. I have three 4-week old fish now and one appears to have swim bladder disease. He stays on the sand at the bottom of the tank, on his side, and then all of the sudden he'll spin around in circles really fast. Then he falls back to the floor.

Ideas??

ANSWER: Layla,
  Sorry to hear you are having problems. Let's see if I can help you out. First off, they NEED a filter and they NEED a heater. With neither one in their tank, you need to be doing daily water changes. Molly's are tropical and need warm water. I don't think your little one has swim bladder. He is reacting to the bad water. With no filter and no water changes, the ammonia build-up is very high. He is suffering from  ammonia poisoning. I am surprised only one baby is showing this sign. If they are to live they need to be in perfect water. When doing the 25% water changes, you have to add a conditioner to the new water. This removes the chlorine and other chemicals in the tap. When doing the water changes, the new water has to be the same temp as the water they are in. If it is colder or warmer, they can and most likely will, go into shock. I think there is an oxygen depletion issue as well. I would at least add an air stone to their tank to add oxygen back into the tank water. These fry will not make it without a filter or a heater. They are very delicate and depend on us to make sure they are healthy at all times and fed right. If you intend on keeping fish, you need to get a water tester. DO not get the strips because they are not accurate. Get the one that has the liquid and the test tubes they are usually right on the mark. Once they have the right living conditions, a filter, heater, the right food, they will start to improve and you will have very happy healthy fish.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the advice the day after I emailed you this my fish died. The next day another died with 3 or 4 red spots on his belly and sides. My mom won't let me get a heater or filter until she thinks the last fish will live. I change his water every other day, and feed him 3 to 4 times a day. He looks energetic and healthy and is growing every day. Hopefully I've proven to my mom that he'll live. Then I'll get a water heater, air stone and a filter. Maybe even some more fish!! Keep your fingers crossed!
Any other advice?

ANSWER: Layla,

I will have my fins crossed that you get the heater. Have your mother read this. That baby needs a heater and a filter for it to live. Water changes are a must and you are doing great. Make sure you are NOT doing a complete water change. That means leave about an inch of water in her tank, meaning her old water. Make sure you are conditioning the water with a chemical that gets rid of all the yucky stuff in our drinking water. That gets added the the new water before you give it to her. Fish waste is turned into ammonia. That is NOT good. The red dots you saw on your fish is a sign of ammonia poisoning. It is very very important that if you have to pick I would get the filter first. Even with the filter you have to do water changes, but at least the water will be safer for the fry (baby). Let me know how it all goes and myself and all 11 of my adult Betta's have every fin crossed as well as tails that you get the heater and filter you do desperately need.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Before you sent this question, I had been changing the water completly. I'll keep in mind not to change it all. Thanks! I think my mom might let me now that Junior is about a month and a half old. If not, maybe I'll just use my allowance. By the way, how do you get all the excess food at the bottom out when you change the water? Thanks so much for all your help. I'm sure I'll have more questions soon!

PS I investigated more, and I think my fish is a platy or something like that. Does that change anything?

*Layla*  

Answer
Layla,
 

 It is very important that we figure out what type of fish you have. All fish need different types of food and water PH and feeding. I have enclosed a site that shows Platties and Mollies. Take a look at it and let me know what she/he looks like. Or take a pic and post it here so that I can see what you have. To get the food out of the gravel you might want to get a gravel vacuum. They work great and they don't remove the gravel. Excess food at the bottom of the tank will cause your water quality to go down. If you can't get a vacuum, try siphoning the gravel with extra air tubing. That will help until you are able to get the gravel cleaner.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=830+1103


http://www.google.com/images?q=mollies&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=siq9TNmuOIPQ