Mollies In Nano-reef?

[black_bull]

Has anyone ever tried housing mollies in nano-reefs, since they can live in full saltwater?

It seems to me that they would be reef-safe, plus they are small and probably have small/insignificant bioloads if you kept like 2-4 in a 15g. They aren't as colorful as most reef fish, but they seem to me like an interesting (and inexpensive) alternative nonetheless.

Thoughts?

 

[RoyalGrammaPrincessHannah]

So why would you want to do this? Damsels are hardy, and you wouldnt have to acclimate them slowly into saltwater, plus they are much better looking.

 

[Opcn]

Mollies grow to big.

 

[petey Z]

yea i agree damsels are def nicer and, idk IMO i dont like mollies

 

[alabaster]

So why would you want to do this? Damsels are hardy, and you wouldnt have to acclimate them slowly into saltwater, plus they are much better looking.

I stated in my first post that mollies "aren't as colorful as most reef fish, but they seem to me like an interesting (and inexpensive) alternative nonetheless". There's your answer. In my opinion, they would make a great fish for someone new to nano-reefs. I wasn't saying that they are good looking (in fact I said the exact opposite) so I'm not going to argue about that. But I would urge you to read my post before you post something like that.

 

[RoyalGrammaPrincessHannah]

So why would you want to do this? Damsels are hardy, and you wouldnt have to acclimate them slowly into saltwater, plus they are much better looking.

I stated in my first post that mollies "aren't as colorful as most reef fish, but they seem to me like an interesting (and inexpensive) alternative nonetheless". There's your answer. In my opinion, they would make a great fish for someone new to nano-reefs. I wasn't saying that they are good looking (in fact I said the exact opposite) so I'm not going to argue about that. But I would urge you to read my post before you post something like that.

"Interesting" is not the answer I was looking for. Damsels are inexpensive, and a good nano reef fish because they stay pretty small, and they are native to saltwater. So I didn't think those were answers, and its beyond me why anyone would want to do that, when there is a better alternative.

 

[bunjiweb]

If you are going to use mollies, then only use those that have been born and raised in brackish water. Most mollies in shops havent and because of this dont survive the transition up to salt water. Black Mollies are by far the best ones to go with as they are better suited to brackish and marine water.

Having said this i would agree with peoples thoughts that there are many much nicer fish that are still cheap that you could start your reef tank off with.

Just DONT CHOOSE DAMSELS! most types are very terratorial, and thus when you come to add a 2nd fish it will be beaten to death. If you like damsels, add them last. I would use a goby as your first fish as they tend to be quite hardy.

Ben

 

[RoyalGrammaPrincessHannah]

"Just DONT CHOOSE DAMSELS! most types are very terratorial, and thus when you come to add a 2nd fish it will be beaten to death. If you like damsels, add them last. I would use a goby as your first fish as they tend to be quite hardy."

Ben

But you can use yellow-tail damsels. They are in absolutely no way territorial, despite the fact that they are damsels. I have owned two of them, and both were actually on the skiddish side, and would hide in a rock if anyone approached the tank quickly, but then come out[so they arent a total waste of a beautiful fish, hiding in a rock all day]. They like the security of a nice rock to have refuge, and to sleep in. They actually like being in small groups [which means that if they tolerate their own kind, they wont mind other fish], and are the prettiest blue you will ever see in your life, and have nice bright yellow tails.

But I agree on the goby thing. Ben might be referring to the little ones, but some of the larger ones are hardy as well, yellow-watchmans for example. They have very interesting personalities. Its as if they feel they have a duty to oversee things going on in the tank, roaming around the perimeters at night, hence the name. Of course, this cant be guaranteed with each one, but I think no matter what they are a good addition.

 

[Donya]

Not sure if it applies to all mollies (maybe a molly personality thing), but my molly experiences have involved everything in the tank being picked at constantly. All of my non-baloon mollies, particularly males, were fairly aggressive and nipped at anything that wasn't a fast fish. Corals and nems probably wouldn't be too happy with that if the mollies became interested in them. Mollies can even do some pretty good damage to large snails' feet by picking the slime down to the skin and bothering the area until it's raw if the snail doesn't stay closed up. I used to have some fw snails with U-shaped scars on the side of their feet from male mollies nipping.

 

[Lynden]

Mollies actually add a far larger amount of bioload than most other small marines like damsels and angels.

My mollies were adapted within an hour and began breeding the same day. The two females were black and the male was a dalmation sailfin. They did not pick at the resident tubeworm when he was added, but seeing the damage mollies can do, I wouldnt push it. (they (mollies) were later eaten by morays.)

My cousin once kept a "pair" of yellowtail damsels. The larger one repeatedly bullied the smaller one until the latter died. They are slightly less aggressive than other damsels, but dont bet the bank on it being safe with a smaller fish. Also, just because they like being in a group does not mean they can be kept with other fish safely. Think about piranhas, lionfish, juvinile morays or sargeant majors. Extremely aggressive group fish.

I too agree with the goby suggestion. Although i do like damselfish, gobies are a lot more pleasant and are often far more interesting, like small shrimp gobies.

-Lynden

 

[Opcn]

okay, besides the fact that you cannot keep any mollies in a 15 gallon tank mollies are primarily herbivorous, which ofcourse means that they have bigger bioloads than damsels. Also black mollies are not the most suited to salt ater, sailfins are, sailfin mollies are the only mollies found in salt water in nature.

 

[steelhealr]

In addition, no one has yet made any comments about aggression. To be honest, you may have serious issues between true salts and mollies but I couldn't answer this for sure. Although mollies can probably exist in SW, it is my impression that they are really still brackish. SH

 

[Opcn]

Mollies aren't exactly the nicet of fish.

 

[RoyalGrammaPrincessHannah]

Mollies actually add a far larger amount of bioload than most other small marines like damsels and angels.

My mollies were adapted within an hour and began breeding the same day. The two females were black and the male was a dalmation sailfin. They did not pick at the resident tubeworm when he was added, but seeing the damage mollies can do, I wouldnt push it. (they (mollies) were later eaten by morays.)

My cousin once kept a "pair" of yellowtail damsels. The larger one repeatedly bullied the smaller one until the latter died. They are slightly less aggressive than other damsels, but dont bet the bank on it being safe with a smaller fish. Also, just because they like being in a group does not mean they can be kept with other fish safely. Think about piranhas, lionfish, juvinile morays or sargeant majors. Extremely aggressive group fish.

I too agree with the goby suggestion. Although i do like damselfish, gobies are a lot more pleasant and are often far more interesting, like small shrimp gobies.

-Lynden

Well two of any species of fish is never a good idea if they arent a mated pair, they will pretty much always fight to death. Groups are fine with this species. But since your tank is so small, the group may not be an option because 4 would be really pushing it, and 4 is probably safer than 3, since they are semi-aggressive with eachother.

Blue-green reef chromis arent aggressive though, so you could have just 3 of them, just make sure to acclimate them slowly.

And of course damsels cant be kept with a lionfish, they would be eaten, plus that tank is way too small for one.

 

[macpegg]

mollies are far cheaper.

Damsels are very territorial. I`ve still got my 1st 4 that started out with, and with every fish ive bought since they have shown them that they are boss. but non have which have died. They tried to beat down me black spotted puffer,and the puffer showed them it was quite funny. The regal tang had problems settling in because of them. but with me tank being massive they soon settled down.. it seems no matter where the damels set there territory, they like to have the whole tank regardless..