HELP! HURRY!

Question
QUESTION: Hi Christy, I need your help fast!! I just found out my black molly has "whirling disease", and has a white spot on it's body right by it's tail, belly extended. It's been about 4 days and we keep thinkig it will die (we're new). Still eating if I turn on the bubbles to get the food to the bottom. Spends his time on the bottom. Tried ich med., no result. Is it too late for med.? Do I take him out? Thanx, Janie

ANSWER: Hi Janie
You'd probably be best quarantining the fish in a separate tank.  If it is in fact whirling disease, there's no cure for it, the parasite that causes it is so hardy, and it's contagious.  You should probably consider euthanizing the fish.  I'll post some links that discuss humane ways to do it, I personally prefer the clove oil method.  Mix some clove oil in a separate container with some tank water, mix it good, then add the fish.  It should go fairly quick, but leave it in the container for at least a 1/2 hour to make sure he's died.  Then put the fish and water in a ziplock bag and into the freezer-just to be sure.  Then I usually bury mine by a tree in the yard.

http://www.petalia.com.au/templates/StoryTemplate_Process.cfm?Story_No=1885#ct-4

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-most-humane-way-to-euthanize-a-fish.htm

But, are you sure it's whirling disease?  Is it spinning around like a dog chasing it's tail?  Poor water quality can cause a fish to hang out at the bottom and not want to eat.  Especially if it's a new tank.  Swollen belly-it could be a female that's full of fry/babies.  White spot, need a better description of that could be ich or fungus or a virus.  If you really do think it's whirling disease, be sure to keep your tank in pristine condition, parasites tend to take over a fish when they're sick or stressed.

Hope that helps and sorry if it is that whirling disease....good luck!

Christy

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

QUESTION: Hi Christy, Thank you soooooo much for your advise. Molly is sleeping very peacefully now,thanx to you and me. I ended up driving around 50 miles, 2 traffic jams, but it was worth it. You were right, it was fast. I even cried a little, I think in relief for her/him. We have two new tall trees in our back yard and I think I'll bury him tomorrow. I had read somewhere that "whirling disease" is the same as "swim bladder", which is where I came up with the diagnosis. Again, thank you so much, you made an old gal's day pretty terrific.
God Bless, Janie

Answer
Hi Janie
Well...I'm sorry, but I'm glad you were able to do it quickly.  And I apologize, I was trying to hurry and respond to you, I forgot to tell you where you can find the clove oil.  I know I spent quite some time trying to find it myself.  But, good stuff to have on hand.  And it really does appear to be the most humane way to do it, I've found anyway.  Clove oil acts an an anesthetic to fish, but in higher doses will cause death.  So basically they go to sleep, much more humane then freezing them or other methods I've heard of.

I've never had a fish with whirling disease, but from all I've read on it over the years, it seems to be caused from a parasite-a protozoan I believe.  I remember seeing conflicting info on what it actually did.  I remember reading at one place it gets into their brain and affects the neurologic system, and another said something about it affecting their equilibrium-which makes sense if they're swimming around and around.  I could see it being mistaken for a swim bladder problem.  Well good luck with your other fish, and keep a close on them for problems just in case.  Let me know if you have any more questions.

Christy