One of my swordtail mollies has suddenly become crooked and cant' swim?? Worried!?

Question

I have a swordtail molly that I've had since march and has been perfectly / seemingly healthy. The past week or two I have noticed that this one has been burrowing at the bottom and laying on its side. It will dart up to eat and occassionaly I DO see it swimming around but it will eventually end up back at the bottom.

Right now it is resting in a plant. It appears upon closer examination that it is a bit crooked (one side poking out more) and I'm not sure if that is because it has been laying on its side for long periods of time or what.

After doing a bit of research I am terrified that this could be TB?? There are no other visual symptoms, eyes look fine, no discoloration or lesions. I also have not noticed any red worms hanging out of it (another disease I dont remember.)

It appears fine other than it has just been resting at the bottom or in a plant and I know that is odd behavior. I don't know what to do here. I have son and I am pregnant now and I read that if it is TB it could be contagious to humans. That freaks me out.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

P.S. I should note that our tank just recently got pretty yucky with algea and the filter was gross and moldy a bit. (Embarassing but we were on vacation and had our neighbor feeding them)... I usually do a water change (20%) at least once a month. I just did one a few days ago and replaced the filter.

Answer 1

READ THIS!  If your fish has TB, it is HIGHLY contagious to humans!  See link below.  Just really concerned because you're pregnant.  Personally, and I love fish, I wouldn't risk it!

Caution:

Piscine Tuberculosis is caused by a species of bacteria belonging to the genus Mycobacterium, which is also the causative agent of Tuberculosis in humans. While the bacteria that causes this disease in fish prefers cooler temperatures than most bacteria that infect humans it is still possible for the illness to be passed on to humans. Such an infection in humans usually shows in the form of an infected nodule in the skin, although there is a chance of a more serious internal infection. If you suspect your fish has this disease, observe the strictest of hygiene to prevent the spread of this serious disease to humans.

Answer 2

i have a betta splenden that does this, it will just lay on the gravel, or in the plants and it will only swim to get food and air (also, if another fish chases it away)... but i think it could be bloated  (does it look fat?), or it could have a swim bladder problem?

buy a breeding net and put the fish in, feed it a high protein diet, like bloodworms and brine shrimp etc... give it a week or two and it should be fine! =D

P.S. you can also buy things that help cure swimbladder, but i would just stick with the above idea.