Swim bladder problem?

Question
Hi

I have a molly who lies at the bottom of the tank and doesn't move about much. Currently she is isolated in a 10L hospital tank without medication, regular water quality. She has been in it for a few days, and is able to swim but with difficulty and quickly sinks to the bottom. She doesn't exhibit any signs of ill health except rapid gill movements and also that she hasn't eaten for a few days despite being offered zucchini (her favourite food). Her colour is fine and fins are not clamped. For the first day in that tank I had her in fluke medication and also aquarium salt. Sine this I have been diluting the water with 50% water changes once a day.
Immediately prior to this, my whole community tank (3 foot, 150L) suffered either or more likely both of a water problem and gill/skin flukes. Medication and water changes (with a new type of water conditioner) seems to have solved the problem for all the other fish. (Platies, bristlenose catfish, siamese fighter male and female, siamese flying foxes)
Is it likely to be a swim bladder problem with my molly? Is there anything I can do for her?

thanks ..  

Answer
Hi Belinda,

If your Molly just sits at the bottom, chances are, she's got swim bladder problems. The swim bladder is a gas-filled organ through which the fish can remove or add gases to float or sink. Without gas exchange the fish either becomes too light or too heavy, and either cannot reach the bottom, or cannot reach the top. Swim bladder can be caused by stress, poor water quality, or a bacterial infection. It could have occurred as a secondary infection when your fish got infected with parasites.

Before using medication, try this out: Feed the Molly a fresh or defrosted pea. One pea is good enough. if the molly eats it, your swim bladder problems may be as good as gone - peas are commonly known to solve swim bladder problems. if the pea does not work, it's probably a bacterial infection. See below on what to do next.

First of all, make sure your 10L tank has a filter and a heater. If it does not, it is virtually useless. if your tank does not have a heater or filter, a large bucket (like the one you use for water changes) would probably be better. Add a water conditioner to remove chlorine and to reduce stress first. Afterwards, remove any carbon from the filter (in preparation for medication), and add an anti-bacterial medication at full does. These medications include melafix, sera Baktopur, etc. Add exactly as prescribed on the bottle.

Good Luck, and I hope your fish recovers!