Constipation and Black Molly

Question
Lately almost all of my fish have had really long poop. They get to be almost 2 inches long before it finally breaks off. I have seen a couple when they break off and they look like half is brown and half has been pink or white. I am assuming that i have overfed them. I have been feeding them in the morning noon and night, but im guessing that is to much now. What can i do to cure this? Also i have a black molly who seems to be really sick. It just kind of floats on the top of the water and gets pushed around by the current and sometimes it just rests on the bottom. Any advise?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Alison;

It sounds like your mollies need a change of diet with more fiber. Mollies need to nibble veggies at least 3 times a week to keep their digestion in good shape and for overall good health. I give my fish romaine lettuce, cooked peeled green peas, cooked green beans, cooked shredded carrots, spirulina algae and cucumber slices. Just rinse and drop them in. Give one of these foods instead of regular food at least 3 feedings a week. Veggies can be left in the tank for several hours at a time. They don't rot like flakes, pellets, etc.

Feeding flakes or pellets twice a day is okay to do but the amount per feeding is important. You want to give the fish just enough that they can totally consume it from all areas of the tank in less than 3 minutes. There should be no leftovers and the fish are getting too much if it takes them longer than 3 minutes to finish it all.

Mollies also need very clean water. All tanks need a weekly 25% water change along with gravel vacuuming. If it has been awhile, do a water change right away and do another 25% change tomorrow. Vacuum the gravel at the same time. This will hopefully make the sick one feel better and then you can do them weekly from now on.

If the sick one doesn't feel better in another day or two, you can add some aquarium salt to the water. Add 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of tank water. Dissolve it in a cup of water before slowly pouring it into the tank. Don't put it in the filter or anything, just slowly pour it into the tank. It acts as a tonic for sick mollies.

I hope they do better soon...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins