Help for my dalmatian lyretail molly

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

I am very new to this - I set up my 56 gallon tank and let it run for a week with filter, heater, dechlorinator, and bacteria supplement, before adding 5 fish (5 days ago).  I have 2 gouramis, 1 dalmatian, 1 cremecicle molly, and 1 tetra.  Was told that they were all communality tropical fish, and all compatible.  For the first 4 days, everything was fine.  All fish were eating, active, and peacefully co-existing.  Today, though, my dalmatian has been sitting at the top of the tank all day.  He/she appears normal on the outside, no signs of disease, but won't leave the same spot at the top of the tank.  I added an airpump and did a 25% water change, as instructed at the store where I got them, but so far the dalmatian still hasn't moved from his spot at the top. He is eating fine, though.  All the other fish are doing well.  I know that this is ignorance on my part, and I feel bad, and want to fix whatever I'm doing wrong.  What can I do to help him?

Thanks in advance for your reply.

ANSWER: Hello Denise,

Well, Mollies are being sold as freshwater fish, but are brackish fish.  They require a bit of salt in the water to be happy.  With this said, yours is in a system with freshwater fish, so we can't add salt.

Not your fault.  The fish may indeed be okay in freshwater, but is more likely to stress easier and to suffer diseases easier, since its immunity is dropped by lack of a mineral it needs in the wild.

I want to put more emphasis on the age of your tank.  The tank should have cycled 2 to 4 weeks prior to adding fish, and water changes at a rate of 25% done every weekend.  Even with added bacteria, at least 2 weeks.  

Water tests should be performed before adding fish, all because as the tank cycles, it causes high nitrites and ammonia, as rock and other things begin to cause a chemical process called the biological nutrification process.  This is when a new tank begins ammonia spikes to support the growth of beneficial bacteria.

All great...but here's what happened.  You put a lot of fish in at one time and the ammonia has spiked.  Well, the petstore knows this and advised a water change (I advise water changes....5% every day... as well, til the fish looks okay), and that's all fine and dandy, but while this goes on, the fish is going to suffer ammonia toxicity as it rises until the tank's levels level out.  This is why I suggest cycling with snails rather than fish.  It's often hard on the fish.

Sometimes we can cycle without the spikes that are noticeable, but fishes at the top, are usually not a great sign.  This indicates a lack of oxygen.

His being in a corner, at the top, is even worse.  Yes, Mollies are often at the top, but they are also often at the middle of a tank.  It is unusual behavior for a male to be at the top in a corner sitting along, not trying to find friendship.  They are very friendly fish, in fact, one will often chase everyone for fun.

So, Molly is stressed.  He's probably having issues breathing because of an ammonia spike and stress from a newly acquired home.

It's been five days.  I'd be concerned.  There isn't anything to indicate a disease, but this is often a sign of one as well.  

99.9% of questions asked here are from water quality issues, like yours, so please don't feel bad.  It's perfectly normal for newbies to have issues.  Even old-timers!  :)

Molly should acclimate and be fine, but give it time.  If you notice any discoloration, bends in his skin, etc., then we need to worry about disease.  Often it shows up right after a corner visit at the top of the water.  Keep an eye on the little fellow.

As far as the eating...this is a great sign. :)

No need to panick yet.  Just keep an eye on things.  It should iron out with continuous 5% water changes every day or two ontop of weekly 25% water changes throughout the first month.  

I would like to know, however, what filter you are using on the tank.  It's always a major concern, as filters are sold as 40/60 filters and people purchase them for 55 gallon tanks thinking they will do the job, when in fact, they only handle a spotlessly clean, sparklingly cared for, sparsely populated 40, rather than a 60.  Be sure to only go by the bottom number.  Never the top on a filter.  Out of all the advice I can give you, the best is to double up on filtration.  It's not going to harm a thing. :)

Happy fish-keeping.



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

QUESTION: Hello,

Thank you so much for your fast and informative reply!  To answer your question, the filter is a Marineland Penguin 350, for up to 70gal.  It has room for two filter cartridges, and after reading your advice, I added the second cartridge.  Molly is still in the same place, though no changes in coloring, etc.  And he ate again this morning, so I'm hopeful.
Would you advise a bigger filter than the one I have? Also, temperature in the tank is about 76-77, what was recommended at the store.  Is that ok, or should it be warmer?

Thanks again!

Answer
Hi!  

The best filter you could use is the Marineland.  I use the same size on my 20 gallon tank, and it is sufficient for your new aquarium, provided that you change the media every month as directed, and you keep the water changes every month to a rate of 25% every four weeks, and provided you do not overstock with fishes.  In fact, under-stock and conditions will always remain peaceful. :)

That is the very best advice I can give you.

76 is fine.  People are constantly overheating freshwater tropical fishes. Not all of them require 78 to 82F.  Most are 72F fishes.  Tetra do not fare well in water hotter than 72.

:)

Happy fish-keeping...you are going to have a lovely setup once it's all cycled. :)