I had a question about my pop bellied molly. When I purchased it a few weeks ago it had 3 black specks on it (it is yellow) - I do not noticed any strange behavior, but how would I know if the black specks were just part of his coloration or a mite of some sort? (I didn't notice it on any of the other fish that it was in the tank with at the store, but I had to pick the yellow one, it was doing the "pick me" dance)

It really acts fine... and they havent grown, spread or anything.... I will try to get a picture if I can.

A good clear pic should answer that. It could just well be a few black scales showing up.

I noticed two more. They are like little sprinkles of pepper. There is one by it's top fin that is a little larger than the other 5.. looks like pepper grains. It isn't large enough to be a scale.. I dont think?

I will try and get a clear picture....

do they appear to stick off the fish (like a bump on the scales) or can you really tell? from what i can find on 'em; mites are really small, about a milimeter in size, and often can be found free floating in the water and/or sticking to the glass just above the water line.

a pic would help if you can get a clear one. how long has the tank been up and running and do you have any parameter readings. maybe it could be amonia burn if it's a cycling tank? just trying to think of everything.

or it could just be his coloration.

I tested my water yesterday, everything is PERFECT! (finally! -- I did have trouble a while back, before I got the pop bellied molly) -- it had the black specks when I purchased it. They do not appear to poke up and I haven't noticed anything in the water or on the glass.

I will get my BF to get a good picture for me soon, hopefully.

Thanks.

perhaps its spots. Wobbles, my lyretail Balloon mollie is a dalmation-



and Wiggles is a gold, and so are her babies

No it isn't dalmation. It is just a few specks and one near head on fin base. I can't get a good picture of it. My camera is just not cooperating with the jitterfish and water. I even tried putting him/her in a cup... it still wouldn't settle down. -- Oh well. -- Nothing weird is going on and it acts healthy, always greats me when I feed it.. probably has more personality than any fish I have ever owned.. lol