quikv6

Ohad, I have NYC water as well. It is definitely on the soft side, with a PH around 6.8-7.0. There is very minimal KH/buffer as well. I started my tank with livebearers before I really knew my water. I must admit, I doctor the water a bit in order to give them closer to their ideal conditions, and if I had to offer any advice (which I learned the harder way), I would say to find fish that would thrive in the conditions you have right out of the tap. Good luck!

I wanted to give a quick update, especially for anyone who may search for this issue in the future: The fish is doing quite well. The prolapse went back in after about a week. I don't know if the Epsom salt baths had a direct effect on it, but I certainly don't think it hurt. In fact, the Epson salt baths seem to really relax the fish. It "slowed down" in the baths, almost as if it were enjoying it, and just hanging out. The fish is also eating and pooping normally, and the prolapse hasn't returned. (I have my fingers crossed that it won't.) Thanks to all for their advice.

If it is swim bladder, I have had luck (on a balloon Molly, no less) with Epsom Salt Baths. The fish never tipped over, but had lots of trouble swimming, and was basically moving around nose-down. I did 15 minute "baths" in a small tupperware container, with around 1/2-1 teaspoon of Epsom salt, monitoring he fish throughout the bath. I also did my best to only feed that fish a pea. I do have a small amount of aquarium salt in the main tank at all times. Good luck, and keep us posted.

That fish looks to be in really rough shape. Try to make his environment as stress-free as possible, in addition to the salt. Clean water as well.

As for the male, I think it would be helpful to give him a roughly 15 minute epsom salt bath, twice a day. Monitor him throughout the bath. I had very good luck with Epsom salt with a Balloon Molly who had a swim bladder issue. I can't remember the ratio of salt. I used a small tupperware container. It was a teaspoon or less. Good luck.

I think the plants will be fine with a very mild addition of salt. I have some plants (Hornwort, water sprite, guppy grass) that seem to have no negative effects from the salt I add it. I do a teaspoon per 5 gallons (very, very small amount) at each water change. I have mollies and platies. If I notice a fish isn't acting normally, or showing signs of something, I usually double t-to-triple that dose (still a very small amount), again with no ill-effects on the plants. I think you have a reasonable tolerance window to work with when it comes to plants and salt. I would start small, and see how it goes. You may notice positive results very soon, especially since you currently use none. As for snails/Cories....I have no experience there. Sorry.

I think adding salt would also be a good idea, regardless of where you are in the treatments. Mollies take quite well to salt. Also, I have used it successfully on a platy with an issue that I believed to be columnaris. Good luck.

Columnaris could also be a possibility. I do think salt would be a good start....and from the sounds of the fish, a sooner start rather than later would be appropriate.

Hi Kaitie, As to any possible downsides, I have 2: 1) The taller height may make it tough to service the bottom, especially if you are constantly moving things around. You will be up to your armpit in water. I currently have a 75 running (and a 125 not yet running), and I couldn't picture having anything significantly taller. 2) (This may not apply). I went to my 75 from a 40 Long. thinking I wanted something larger. Both are 4 foot tanks. The 75 didn't have as much visual impact as I expected. Deep down, I knew I wanted a 6 foot tank, but convinced myself the 75 would fit the bill. It didn't, thus the empty 125 sitting next to it, awaiting it's anticipated call to action. It will happen soon, but I am dreading the work involved with "the switch." Just my .02.....your mileage may vary. Good luck!

What exactly is "fine", specifically? What is PH, GH, and KH?

I think your water parameters could possibly help in pointing you in the right direction. Have you tested the water since the behavior began?

I have to second what Ali said.....livebearers can quickly overrun your small tank. If you also limit your initial number to 3, you may be best with all males (Or all females...knowing that they may already be pregnant.) Male platies can be very persistant, and can really stress out the females. You don't really have the space or other occupants to lessen that stress. I started my tank with 3 platies....only one was a male. Fast forward about 7 months, and I now have approximately 80. It happens fast.

Thank you for that advice. She seems pretty happy, considering, so I am not ready that euthanize. She is in a grow out tank currently, with salt. In addition, I am also doing Epsom salt bath four times a day. With that being said, it hasn't receded one bit yet. I'm obviously concerned. Any other advice is appreciated. Thanks

Can the fish be fed? It's a juvenile, so I really don't want to fast it too long. It's behaving normally....just with this prolapse.

Pics of prolapse. Please help.

I think it's a good idea to detoxify that ammonia (Seachem Prime is a popular product, but there are similar out there.) That should neutralize it for 24-48 hours. I would also add a product like Fritzyme 7, which contains nitrifying bacteria. I had good luck with it speeding up my cycle to completion. Keep testing as well. Frequent small waterchanges are helpful as well.

Yes, positive. It doesn't look like that. It is definitely not worms coming out. It looks like an intestinal tube popped out/became inverted. I had tried to get a pic last night w/no luck. Will try again. Thus far, I am doing 15 minute epsom salt baths about 4x a day. I am fasting the fish. It's still a young juvenile, so I don't know how long it's okay to fast for. Any other advice is welcome and appreciated. Thank you,

I will try to do that later. It looks like a few cms of intestine coming out of the fish, with a red dot at the end of the intestine. If i can't snap a pic, I still would really appreciate any and all advice. I don't want to let too much time pass. Thanks in advance.

Any help is appreciated. I have a juvenile molly that has just developed a prolapse this morning. Looks like its an anal/vent prolapse. I am assuming it's intestines/intestinal. I see no signs of stress or discomfort on the fish. She's swimming around as normally as can be. I have read different treatments, from aquarium salt, to epsom salt, to melafix, to fasting, to simply aiming for pristine water conditions. Please let me know if anyone has any advice. I know it sounds crazy, but is there any way to "manually" push this back in? All advice is appreciated. Thanks

I think salt would be good step 1, especially with livebearers.

Thanks for the advice folks. That sounds like a plan. I think I will order the 3rd one, as it can't hurt to have it as a spare. But I will see how the tank manages with the two 200w heaters I have already. If it is having a hard time keeping up, I'll throw the 3rd one in. Thanks again.

I have definitely ruled out preset heaters. My debate is essentially 3 heaters or 2 heaters. If I chose 3, I would only have to buy 1 new one. If I chose 2, I'd have to buy both. Is there any practical reason why 3 would be bad? (Only thing I can see is an additional variable for overheating if it fails).

I will be upgrading my 75 gal tank to a 125 gal in the very near future. I am currently using 2 Aqueon Pro 200W heaters for the 75 gallon, which I am very happy with. (They are the old style with the red/green led in the front, which I like far better). I don't feel 400W will be enough for the 125. Please let me know your thoughts on 2 options I am considering: 1) Add a 3rd 200W Aqueon Pro. (I am able to get an old style, to match the others...symmetry/looks are important to me). I am not thrilled with having 3 heaters, as I was going to add an INKBIRD controller. With the inkbird, I wouldn't want to do more than 2. 2) Start fresh with new heaters. I can get the old Aqueon Pro's in 250W...so I was thinking 2 of those. (500W total). I can also get the new Aqueon Pro's in 300W (so 2 of those), but I hate that style with the light on the knob, and I have had issues with one of that style in the past. I am not 100% married to the Aqueon Pro's, but I like the all-black, minimal sleek look. Plus, the 2 that I have in the 75 have been rock-solid in maintaining a steady temp, knock on wood. Thanks in advance for all advice.

I don't believe silicone would add any significant tensile strength to resist the pressure from the water on the glass. I do believe JB Weld makes a plastic epoxy which may (keyword: may) be a very temporary solution, but then you are dealing with epoxy and any consequences from it. While JB Weld is a great product and has its merits and uses, I would really be hesitant to say an aquarium is one of them.

Mollies really seem to take well to salt, specifically. I think it is a very sound suggestion.