Help for constipated Molly

[Chazbot]

I have a constipated Molly. He's a bit bloated and I haven't seen him poop for a couple of days. This is definitely a male so I know he's not pregnant, and his body is sleek and smooth so I'm not worried about dropsy. I feed flakes twice daily (also supplement with frozen "meats") so I'm afraid they may have him blocked up - he eats like a HORSE normally and being one of the biggest fish in the tank he is able to push the little guys out of the way to get to food. I'm convinced that's it - expanded flakes and the "meat" isn't helping.

Anyway, I dropped some peas in the tank a few minutes ago and he showed little interest. Others in the tank went after them happily, though. I suppose it stands to reason that if he's constipated his appetite is decreased, but he's also spending a lot of his time near the top of the tank and wasn't in any hurry to go after the sinking pea. He has since taken swim all around the tank - top and bottom - but I never saw him eating any peas. What else can I do? Would a leaf of spinach attached near the top help? What about cabbage? I've also read that fasting can help constipation, too. Any help is greatly appreciated. I'm also treating this tank for ich right now (going very well) so I want to correct the constipation as quickly as possible so he's not stressed any more than he has to be because of the ich meds.

Would it help to move him? I have just set up what is going to be a quarantine tank and I'm cycling it with some Black Phantom Tetras who used to be in the same tank with this mollie (they brought in the ich - a lesson learned) so that tank is also undergoing ich treatment, but Grady wouldn't have so much competition for the veggies in there since the Tetras are pretty timid.

What do you guys think? I also have birds and I'm about to chop them up a fresh batch of salad so I've got veggies at the ready here!

[Wild Turkey]

Did you skin the peas?

I would keep feeding the peas until he eats them. Dont feed any other foods

Fasting the fish once a week in the future can help prevent this.
Also feeding small amounts frequently instead of large amounts once or twice a day will make a difference

[Northernguy]

Aside from what WT said there is this link.
Not sure if you read it or not.[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Chazbot]

Did you skin the peas?

I would keep feeding the peas until he eats them. Dont feed any other foods

Fasting the fish once a week in the future can help prevent this.
Also feeding small amounts frequently instead of large amounts once or twice a day will make a difference

I did skin the peas, yes. They're all gone now - the others in the tank LOVED them. I can't say for certain that Grady ate any of them but, then again, missing a meal isn't going to hurt him either!

Just peas? No other veggies at all until he's better?

You know, I've thought of changing the feeding schedule to four small meals instead of two big ones. I think I'll do that, then!


Aside from what WT said there is this link.
Not sure if you read it or not.[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Well I've read it now! I definitely need to get more variety in the diet. Like I said, it's just been flakes and frozen meaty stuff. You know those little packages of the frozen cubes, that's what I've got and there are greens mixed in some of the cubes (it's a variety pack) but probably not as much as these guys need so I'll be adding veggies to the menu! My cockatiels will be happy to share their salad!

Thanks a lot Wild Turkey and Northern Guy! You guys are the BEST!! thumbs2:

[Chazbot]

Oh man, I didn't see Grady around so I went over and checked and discovered that he had died. DAMN!! I should have acted sooner.

Well I've learned a valuable lesson at least. Doesn't help much though. He was a cool little guy.

RIP Grady :scry:

[Gayle]

Sorry for your loss.

[Red]

That sucks, cut down on your feedings, as you know. Sorry for your loss..

[Chazbot]

Sorry for your loss.

Thanks Gayle, I appreciate it.

I've got to tell my daughter. She's 4 and Grady was her favorite fish. He was solid white - the only one in the tank like that. There's no way I can replace him right now during ich treatment - even my quarantine tank has ich meds in it! And there's no way I'm going to be able to hide the fact that he's no longer in there. UGH.

[Gayle]

Yeah that makes it really hard! I had a really hard time explaining to my daughters when the first fish died. They still cry sometimes about it. I know it sux but they just have to learn that death is part of life one way or another. Just let her cry, and tell her that the fish has a huge tank with a bunch of friends now, and will not ever be sick again only happy.

[Chazbot]

That sucks, cut down on your feedings, as you know. Sorry for your loss..

Thanks, Red. Yeah, I'm working out the new menu and feeding schedule now.

Does anyone know how the other fish might react? You know how like if you have two dogs or two birds or something and one dies, the other will grieve itself to death? Do fish do that? Everyone gets along well in this tank, but there is one other Sailfin and he and Grady used to hang out together a lot. Right now, I see Aphrodite (didn't know he was a male when I named him) hanging out with the Dalmatian mollies and all is content in the tank, but should I watch for signs of grief?

[Chazbot]

Yeah that makes it really hard! I had a really hard time explaining to my daughters when the first fish died. They still cry sometimes about it. I know it sux but they just have to learn that death is part of life one way or another. Just let her cry, and tell her that the fish has a huge tank with a bunch of friends now, and will not ever be sick again only happy.

I haven't told her yet. We got started with aquariums when our Betta died. We had Dumbledore for a little over 2 years and Jesse was crazy about him. When he "went to be with Jesus" and we decided to set up a larger aquarium, Jesse announced "I want a new fish and his name is Grady." At the pet shop, she walked around looking for a while before shouting "There he is, there's Grady!" That whole deal makes telling her that much harder. She's a pretty sharp cookie and she understands that after a time everything goes to be with Jesus, I'm just hoping that this being her "special fishy" won't make it harder.

[Kaz]

Thanks Gayle, I appreciate it.

I've got to tell my daughter. She's 4 and Grady was her favorite fish. He was solid white - the only one in the tank like that. There's no way I can replace him right now during ich treatment - even my quarantine tank has ich meds in it! And there's no way I'm going to be able to hide the fact that he's no longer in there. UGH.

Well the sooner she hears about it the better it will go over.

Constaption is pretty crappy way to go, all things considered.

RIP.

[Wild Turkey]

Sorry for the loss:11:

[Chazbot]

Well the sooner she hears about it the better it will go over.

Constaption is pretty crappy way to go, all things considered.

RIP.

Ok, if that was intended to make me laugh, it worked. Thanks, I needed it!

Haven't told her yet. But I'm going to very soon. She's playing with her grandmother right now so I'm going to wait until she and I are together alone.

[Chazbot]

Sorry for the loss:11:

Thanks, Wild Turkey. And thanks again for the advice! At least now I'm armed for prevention and hopefully won't have this problem again.

[Kaz]

Ok, if that was intended to make me laugh, it worked. Thanks, I needed it!


Thank you, my timing is either wonderful or atrocious.

I always thought it was weird that minor problems to us (constapation, diarrhea) are very fatal to fish, hamsters and other things.

Although diarrhea is apparently a leading cause of death in third world countries so whatever.

[Chazbot]

Thank you, my timing is either wonderful or atrocious.

I always thought it was weird that minor problems to us (constapation, diarrhea) are very fatal to fish, hamsters and other things.

Although diarrhea is apparently a leading cause of death in third world countries so whatever.


Well, this time your timing was perfect. When I'm sad I always start looking for a laugh to help me deal.

It really is amazing isn't it? It seems like my life is all about poop in one way or another! I have to check my birds' poop to make sure they aren't plugged up or that they don't have diarrhea and things need to be the right color. Have to take occasional peeks at things in the cats' litter box to make sure nothing funny is going on there and now I'm watching for fish poop to make sure it's happening, for one thing, as isn't white and stringy.

Yeah, bad joke in the background here. With all this poop - I must be an a**h**e.

[Mith]

Oh man, I didn't see Grady around so I went over and checked and discovered that he had died. DAMN!! I should have acted sooner.

Well I've learned a valuable lesson at least. Doesn't help much though. He was a cool little guy.

RIP Grady :scry:


Sorry to hear about your fish... having them pass sure sucks. It's the nature of the beast I suppose.

[Chazbot]

Sorry to hear about your fish... having them pass sure sucks. It's the nature of the beast I suppose.


Well that's the "problem" with pets - they die. But in all honesty I'll deal with it. I like my critters better than most of the people I know! (see my sig if you'd like to see pics of my zoo!)

The worst part here is that I'm really kicking myself for a STUPID move. I didn't take care of him properly. If I'd acted immediately he might have made it.

[Gayle]

Now now now Lets not be so hard on ourselves here!!!! We are human, we make mistakes!!!! WE ALL HAVE MADE A MISTAKE OR 100!!!! I wont even say how many I have made! LOL Do not be so rough on yourself! S^it happens! (or in this case S@IT doesnt happen, but ya get my point) Just take it for what it is and learn from it. Cheer up!!

[King Tut]

Well this is Chazbot's hubby and I can tell you she will take it hard. She takes pride in doing everything she can for the furry, feathered and scaled members of the family. We both have guilt when something like this happens. It is the ONLY IF syndrome - Only If I had acted sooner, read something sooner, asked the question sooner. Thanks for all the thoughts and well wishes!!!!! We are both Jesus loving people and we know Grady is happy where he is!!!

[Chazbot]

Now now now Lets not be so hard on ourselves here!!!! We are human, we make mistakes!!!! WE ALL HAVE MADE A MISTAKE OR 100!!!! I wont even say how many I have made! LOL Do not be so rough on yourself! S^it happens! (or in this case S@IT doesnt happen, but ya get my point) Just take it for what it is and learn from it. Cheer up!!


Thanks, Gayle, you're a sweetie!

Call it perfectionism, I guess. I spent months studying and learning everything I possibly could about cockatiels once I got my little Elvis. Now 17 years have gone by and there's 21 'tiels here (including Elvis - he's a grandpa now!) and I consider myself a very good bird mommy. Well now I'm doing the same thing with my fishies. I just want to give them the best possible care and from my experience with the 'tiels I know that you don't wait - you ACT when you see, or even think you see a problem. I can't even chalk it up to being a newbie - I know better than to wait. Feeling like a major moron at the moment. I'm used to that feeling, but I hate that poor Grady had to pay for a bonehead mistake. I'll get over myself shortly.

And, hee-hee, sh*t will be happening in abundance. I just passed out a nice pea supper to all my tanks. :sbiggrin:

[Chazbot]

Well this is Chazbot's hubby and I can tell you she will take it hard. She takes pride in doing everything she can for the furry, feathered and scaled members of the family. We both have guilt when something like this happens. It is the ONLY IF syndrome - Only If I had acted sooner, read something sooner, asked the question sooner. Thanks for all the thoughts and well wishes!!!!! We are both Jesus loving people and we know Grady is happy where he is!!!

And my beloved will take it just as hard as I do. :1luvu:

Don't let him fool ya - he's a HUGE sap when it comes to our little zoo here.

[bocrayfish]

no i think not I have never observed fish grieving or read about it so if they do i think it might be a fish first ps sorry about grady hope your itch problem goes away soon

[Tara914]

Wow... I have a lot to learn, I had NO IDEA that fish could get constipated...

Sorry about your little guy :(

[Fishesses]

OK, so I read this on the internet... Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) in the water to relieve fish of constipation. Epsom salt does work to relieve people of constipation.

Thoughts?

[Mith]

Oh man, I didn't see Grady around so I went over and checked and discovered that he had died. DAMN!! I should have acted sooner.

Well I've learned a valuable lesson at least. Doesn't help much though. He was a cool little guy.

RIP Grady :scry:


IT's the nature of the aquarium beast... fish die. Sorry for your loss.... ya did what ya could. :22: