Is my molly pregnant or ill?

[Breezeyfans]

I put one of my mollys in a separate tank thinking she was expecting, we've had a few mollys have babies before but this one's way bigger, it looks like it's about to burst. I'm unsure if she's actually pregnant or if something's wrong with her due to her size.

[julia]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Honestly, I'm not convinced that Molly is pregnant - it looks more like bloat to me, but I'm no expert, having never dealt with live bearers or bloat myself.

A few questions to help narrow down the issue: does Molly have any other symptoms, like rapid breathing or pine coning scales? And what are your current water parameters?

Based on my limited knowledge, I'd recommend a large water change and possibly adding some salt to the water - just make sure to research the proper dosage rates first. I've also come across people using peas as a potential cure, but I'm not sure how effective that is.

Fingers crossed someone more knowledgeable can chime in and offer better advice - good luck with Molly.

[belleora]

I'm afraid the situation with your molly is quite dire. The severe swelling is a clear indication of internal organ failure, commonly referred to as dropsy. Unfortunately, this condition is almost always fatal, and at this stage, there's no cure in sight. It's heartbreaking, but the kindest thing to do would be to humanely end its suffering through euthanasia, either by a swift knock on the head or using clove oil.

Leaving it to pass on its own would only prolong its agony, and there's another concern to consider - the risk of the other fish consuming its body, which could potentially spread the underlying infection that led to this condition in the first place. Consuming a diseased body can further spread the bacteria, virus, or protozoan, putting the rest of your fish at risk. If you're not prepared to euthanise your molly, I strongly advise isolating it from the rest to prevent this from happening.

I'm deeply sorry to be the bearer of this news, but I'm more than happy to offer guidance on the rest of your fish if you're worried there might be an underlying issue that contributed to this molly's condition.

[julia]

I agree that euthanisation is probably the best course of action if it is indeed dropsy - thanks for sharing your knowledge, belleora. Given that the molly is in a fry tank, I'm assuming it's isolated, so there's no risk of the other fish eating it. Sorry to hear that things have taken a turn for the worse, Breezeyfans.

From what I've gathered, the bacterium Aeromonas is often the culprit behind the symptoms and organ failure associated with dropsy. This bacterium is usually present in the tank, but it only becomes a problem when the fish's immune system is weakened. I've found that poor water quality, stress, an inadequate diet, and fluctuations in water parameters can all contribute to a compromised immune system.

To prevent the spread of dropsy to other fish, it's essential to identify the underlying cause. I'd recommend starting with a large water change, as poor water quality is often the most likely culprit. However, it's also possible that a faulty heater could be the root of the problem. If you suspect that diet might be the issue - although this is less likely - you could try adding some live foods like bloodworms to their diet. Alternatively, breeding mosquito larvae can be a cost-effective and nutritious solution.

[sidthy]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Honestly, I'm not convinced that Molly is pregnant - it looks more like bloat to me, but I'm no expert, having never dealt with live bearers or bloat myself.

A few questions to help narrow down the issue: does Molly have any other symptoms, like rapid breathing or pine coning scales? And what are your current water parameters?

Based on my limited knowledge, I'd recommend a large water change and possibly adding some salt to the water - just make sure to research the proper dosage rates first. I've also come across people using peas as a potential cure, but I'm not sure how effective that is.

Fingers crossed someone more knowledgeable can chime in and offer better advice - good luck with Molly.

I'd like to add that Aeromonas isn't the sole culprit behind organ failure - there are several other possible causes. I do concur, however, that the fish is beyond saving at this point.

On a separate note, I must stress the importance of not using fry boxes for adult fish. It's a highly stressful environment for them, and it's especially ill-suited for pregnant mothers.

[Breezeyfans]

Thanks for all the responses, really appreciate it. I'm doing a water change this morning. I was wondering, when you guys have pregnant fish, do you keep them separate or just leave them in the main tank as normal.

[sidthy]

When expecting, females tend to seek out dense vegetation for cover. Consider adding some lush plants to the tank, providing ample hiding spots for the mother and her fry to feel secure.

[Emeraldsea]

I put one of my mollys in a separate tank thinking she was expecting, we've had a few mollys have babies before but this one's way bigger, it looks like it's about to burst. I'm unsure if she's actually pregnant or if something's wrong with her due to her size.

It depends on the fish type. I let my livebearers drop their fry in the tank, they usually leave them alone. But like I said, your molly isn't pregnant, she's got an internal issue.

[belleora]

I'm with Emeraldsea on this, I also leave my gravid females in the main tank, they seem to do just fine. I've got lots of live plants, which provide great hiding spots for the mother and fry, plus they're just good for the tank overall.