I have a 10 gallon tank with 5 balloon mollies and 3 platyes in it. Recently I've noticed that one of my female mollies has been chasing my platyes around and nipping at them. I don't want to flush her, so does anyone have any ideas how to keep down her aggression?

1/31/2007 2:23:23 PM

My first suggestion may be to get a larger tank. If that's out of the question, I would make sure that your platyes have places that they can retreat. Such as little plastic PVC piping or rocks etc. Its odd, because I've had Mollies and they are very non-aggressive.

1/31/2007 2:29:39 PM

I would say get a flower pot and cut 3 or 4 holes in the side of it just big enough for the platyes to get in but not the mollies, good cheap lil cave for them and doesnt look half bad either

1/31/2007 4:03:39 PM

PM sent.

1/31/2007 4:32:59 PM

First: are you certain that it is a female mollie? Livebearers are pretty sexual and have been known to try to breed with anything that moves.

Second: mollies are fin nippers. Make sure your other fish have places to move. Also, balloons are pretty badly inbred if I remember correctly, so that might be a reason your's is extra aggressive.

Third: never flush a fish. Bring it in to an aquarium store for credit.

1/31/2007 4:38:40 PM

I agree with most of these
also get some plants (or fake ones) just so they have some territories and places to hide. Some fish do better if they can't always see each other all the time (like puffers) . . this will break up the line of sight. it's also a bit small of a tank for that many fish . . the rule is a gallon of water per fish, but it's really not that healthy. So either make some "culls" and get some decorations to go in there or get a bigger tank

1/31/2007 4:40:35 PM

I wish I could afford a bigger tank right now...I have my eyes on a 20 gallon but all the setup is pretty expensive for me right now.

I added some plants, but my stupid playties seem to have a death wish and keep swimming right past my molly.

All my fish are "babies" for now too, so I tried to stay within the 1 inch per 1 gallon thing.

Somone suggested that lowering the temp 2 degrees helps. Anyone else hear of this?

1/31/2007 8:51:50 PM

I have a molly that's like growing fuzz or something. At first we figured it was just food getting caught on it but it's getting worse and it's definitely not that. The tank is new, about 2 or 3 weeks. I think the water is fine though because the tetras are both healthy. We have 2 tetras and 1 molly. I was thinking it might be that mollies are supposed to be put in salt water, but the guy at petsmart said he's raised them without salt and it would be fine. We're not sure what we should do with it. The 2 week warranty has passed so we can't take it back.

2/1/2007 1:28:25 AM

I'd add some salt pronto. I hate to be gloomy, but I haven't seen any fish with the 'fuzz' recover.

2/1/2007 1:30:28 AM

mollies are technically supposed to be brackish (not completely salty!)
aaand I honestly think your tank isn't done cycling dude:/
tetras are pretty hardy fish and mollies are too for the most part, but I think your little guy is on it's way out

2/1/2007 11:30:22 AM

Isnt the "fuzz" called Ick? oomycota I think......there are tablets for that you can drop in if its the case. I dont really know anything about fish, but my brother had some so thats as far as my experience goes..

2/1/2007 11:51:54 AM

Ick looks like little sugar crystals all over the fish. So if it is fuzzy, its not ick. Sounds like a fungus. To be completely honest, the Walmart type treatments are absolute garbage and tend to actually make things worse for the fish. First, try aquarium salt. Add in the recommended dosage.

As for mollies being a strong fish . . . negative. They are rather delicate from everything that I have heard and experienced. . . ESPECIALLY if they aren't in brackish water.

Also, raising temperature in times of sickness is common. Also, tropical fish have should have their water set at 72-78 degrees I believe.

2/1/2007 12:22:47 PM

If you get something for the infection (Def sounds like fungas. Ick would look like little rice on the fins) dont forget to up the temp and take our your carbon filter so it doesnt end up taking out the medicine.

2/1/2007 3:49:58 PM

it died this morning while I was in class. I got a txt from my roommate during calc.

2/6/2007 3:33:15 PM

Make sure you take it out of the tank soon.

2/6/2007 3:47:31 PM

My roommate already did

2/6/2007 11:42:28 PM

so let me get this straight

kids are taking balloons full of molly these days? SICK

2/7/2007 12:13:36 AM