My Balloon Molly

Question
QUESTION: hi i wanted to know bout my balloon molly because for some reason it keeps trying to go up side down and when it gets up side down it just stays there and breaths really slow so it looks like its dead but its nos it has been doing this for just over two weeks so i'm confused can you please help me.

Thank you

Tahlia Beard

ANSWER: Hi Tahlia:  First I would have my water checked to see if the chemical levels of the tank are ok... she could be having ammonia or nitrate poisoning.  If the water checks out then I would suspect that she has a swim bladder disorder...let me know what the water tests are... dave

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QUESTION: Hello dave,

My Mum and I did a water check to see how acid the water was, it turned out to be very acid but how do we fix the water with out harming the aged water and the fish.

Could you please give me steps to fix the water.

Thanxs Tahlia

ANSWER: When you say the water was acid... what does that mean? did you check any of the other chemical values... like nitrate/ammonia/nitrite, etc???   It sounds like to me your fish has a toxicity issue.... I would change the water about 20%, get the water tested for the other chemicals, and see how the fish does.... keep me posted... dave

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QUESTION: nitrate/ammonia/ what is this what does it mean? I forgot to tell u earler that I have about 8 neon tetries and 30 baby mollies as well as a snail but there not affected by the water only the big mollie is!
Thanxs Tahlia

Answer
Nitrate and ammonia are aspects of the water chemistry. If they build up they can be lethal and the process is kind of like what you described your adult molly going through... you will need to get your water tested to make sure it is safe.  I would start with a small water change and cleaning your gravel... please keep me posted... dave