I noticed one of my baby sailfin mollies going in a tight circle spin the other day. Looks like a couple more were doing it last night. Then ate ok, some strange movements about 5 minutes after feeding.

I added just a smidge of aquarium salt, incase they may be a bit itchy or something. They aren't doing the "molly shimmies". So far they look healthy and eating well - 3 times a day. Not sure exactly what this may be the cause. They are about 2 weeks to almost 1 week in age.

Anyone have any ideas?

Also, I've seen other information on the web about using Epsom salts.

What are the benefits of Epsom salts vs. Aquarium salt for mollies and guppies? What would be the dosage for 10 gallon aquarium?

Sorry I can not comment on the mollies behavior but I can help a little with differences of the salts. When using salts always pre disolve in a separate container of tank water and add slowly (could be an hour or so) to the tank to be treated.

Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) is used as a laxative, it will help bloated-constipated fish pass poop.
Use 1 or 2 teaspoons for each 10 gallons of tank water. The Epsom salt should work in 2 to 4 hours. You can re-dose after 4 hours, but if it hasn't worked in 24 hours, it probably won't work at all.

Aquarium salt (sodium chloride)is used to aid in nitrite poisoning, bacteria, fungus, mold and parasite infestations. Used to kill off different things at different stages in its life cycle. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons per 10 gallons, treatments usually last a week or so depending what you are treating. Aquarium salts also aid in slim coat build up. Salt acts as an irritant and causes the fish's cells that produce the protective slim coat mucus, to start producing to protect the fish from the irritant, salt in this case. Often importers strip the fish of their protective slim coats with a specific chemical. By doing this the parasites entrapped in the slim coat are released and the fish is "externally cleaned" and then place the fish in a salt bath to reproduce the slim coat.

Best of luck with the mollies. Whenever I think my fish are behaving/looking odd, I go straight to water changes and do daily water changes/vacums for a minimum of a week before looking at adding any meds to the tank water.

PamC wrote:


I also can't account for the spinning but second what Pam says.

Last week water was fine. Yesterday lost some mollie fry. Nitrites were ZERO and ammonia was 0.25ppm. Changed water. Some fry look good and some won't make it. Not sure about the spike.

Thanks for the additional info about Epsom salts. I have not really heard about that until recently and the info helps. I've always used aquarium salt for the mollies and guppies.

One molly male looks bloated and was going to try unhulled peas tonight. He looks like he's overeaten - but suspect may be constipated. He was hiding the last week or so - was having hard time gasping and looked itchy. I added aquarium salt and he was doing fine. Last night he is bloated from gills all in the chest/tummy area and "waddles" when he swims. He doesn't look like he's in distress but not sure the cause of this... as this came on quick.

Fish are always a learning experience... but I don't like to loose any.