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[donnylad1980]

Hi Guys,

Reading up on here, it seems I've made a bit of an error. I've had a 11 gallon tank for the last 3 months and, following the guy at the store's advice, I've stocked it with 4 mollies. However, the advice on here seems to suggest that you shouldn't keep mollies in anything less than a 30 gallon tank. Obviously, I'm keen to ensure their welfare, and I perform regular water changes and my test results always come back good, but I'm not sure what to do for the best?

Should I keep them in there, or see if I can take them back to the shop and replace them with something else? If so, what would you advise I stocked the tank with?

Thanks in advance!

 

[the_lock_man]

Blimey, who said 30galls? Maybe sailfin mollies, cos they are a bit larger, but 4 normal mollies in an 11g (~50l) shouldn't be too bad. It would limit your scope for tankmates though.

 

[Shelster]

Love that profile pic Donnylad!! D

 

[leighton_87]

What are the dimensions of the tank - the usual recommendation is a 60cm tank to give them enough swimming space as they are a pretty active fish. Generally speaking longer tanks are better than the same volume higher tanks.

In terms of biload you are not (IMO) overstocked but you are not far away.

I assume you didn't cycle the tank before adding the fish - was over to the begginers resource centre as you a likely to be in a fish in cycle. The advice there will give you the best chance of giving your fish a long healthy life.

 

[donnylad1980]

the_lock_man, it was all over the forums in here. Thanks Shelster

And Leighton_87, it's pretty much a cube shape. I read up before I started and had the tank set up a week before I added anything. Then I added 2 female mollies, then 2 weeks later a male and a female. I've got testing kits for Ammonia, Nitrates and PH and all are good. Had a few Nitrate spikes shortly after adding fish, but I've been doing 20% water changes ever week (at least) and used filter start bacteria as well.

(Oh, and I've got a tiny snail as well, but I didn't want it. It stowed away on a plant!)

Would you guys suggest 4 would be ok in there? Thanks for the replies guys.

 

[donnylad1980]

And on this note, over the last week, one of the mollies (largest female) has become more and more aggressive. She dominates the tank, and if the other 3 come out of hiding she goes for them. The others are spending more and more time hiding behind the filter.... And advice guys?

 

[the_lock_man]

I always found mollies temperaments to be wildly variable. As I had all females, I bought a male, to, erm, occupy her attentions. It worked right up until she decided to bully him as well. There isn't a great deal you can do, short of removing her from the tank.