Mollies

[Gallagher]

I know its possible (well have read its possible) to keep mollies in full SW conditions. I was wonderign if i added a couple, would they be ok with my 2 clownfish and my cleaner shrimp. Also, would they breed, as i have never bred a fish before,and would love too (and these seem a good fish to start with in freshwater) but i am about to sell my tropical tank for a new marine mabye(hopefully ) Also, would teh stocking density change at all, seeing as they are classed as tropical fish. And finally, would they take marine flakes.

oh yer, finally finally, is this a good idea? xD

James

 

[seffieuk]

I know its possible (well have read its possible) to keep mollies in full SW conditions.

yes it is, but can never understand why you would want to!

I was wonderign if i added a couple, would they be ok with my 2 clownfish and my cleaner shrimp.

yes they would

Also, would they breed, as i have never bred a fish before,and would love too

They breed like rabbits

(and these seem a good fish to start with in freshwater) but i am about to sell my tropical tank for a new marine mabye(hopefully ) Also, would teh stocking density change at all, seeing as they are classed as tropical fish.

Yes they would add to the bio load just the same as any fish

And finally, would they take marine flakes.

Yes

oh yer, finally finally, is this a good idea? xD

Not imo

James

Seffie x

 

[Gallagher]

Lol, i know it seems kinda random, but i would love to breed some fish, and my clowns are too young .

Also, i know mollies are easy to breed, but it would at least give me a bit of exeperience.

James

 

[bollands]

i will try but what happens when you get bored with them imo

 

[nmonks]

For what it's worth, I've often kept mollies in marine tanks. They make good algae eaters, and being lively fish, they encourage shy fish to come out and feed more readily. To be fair, I didn't necessarily keep them in those tanks for long, since they'd often get moved to another tank sooner or later. But as species for maturing marine tanks they can't be beat. Add mollies, cycle the filter, and once you're happy the marine aquarium is stabilised, you can replace the mollies with some more delicate species. Much easier to do things this way that with some semi-aggressive damsel.

Back when I kept marines (late 80s, early 90s) the whole "live rock" thing didn't exist, so cycling with fish was pretty much the only way to go. For this, mollies were (and still are) ideal. Not all mollies do well in marine conditions, and the best ones are black mollies and sailfin mollies. Some molly varieties may be stressed by fully marine conditions, e.g., liberty mollies, so be careful. On the other hand, true giant sailfin mollies do astonishingly well in marine conditions. These aren't often sold, but if you can get some from a specialist retailer or breeder, they're amazing fish.

It should also go without saying they have no idea what an anemone is... and that can have unfortunate consequences!

Cheers, Neale

 

[Gallagher]

i think i might get some to breed. Anytips on acclimatising?

 

[nmonks]

Acclimating black and sailfin mollies to saltwater conditions isn't difficult. Put them in a big bucket about a quarter filled with freshwater from their regular aquarium (or the water they shipped in). Then fill the bucket in stages about 5 to 10 minutes apart, adding a cup or two of water each time, so that the bucket is filled in, say, five or six steps. Then net them out, pop them in the marine aquarium, and off you go!

Cheers, Neale

 

[Gallagher]

Ahh kk thanks

Also, how can i tell a male from a female? I heard that the females are "plumper" and the males have an extra fin somewhere.

Is this true, and where is teh extra fin?

 

[Gallagher]

and also. will clown fish eat the fry

 

[nmonks]

Males have an anal fin folded in a tube-like gonopodium, very different to the anal fin of the female. Mollies are of course best kept in groups of two (or more) females per male, so take care to sex them.

You won't get clownfish fry in a marine community tank. Clowns lay their eggs happily enough -- a friend of mine has a pair of clowns that laid eggs in her aquarium just this week -- but rearing the fry is very difficult because you need tiny live foods. It's comparable to rearing some of the more challenging freshwater fish, such as bumblebee gobies.

Cheers, Neale

 

[Gallagher]

but will the clownfish eat the mollie fry
james

 

[nmonks]

Yes.

Cheers, NM.

 

[Gallagher]

Yes.

Cheers, NM.

ohhhh dear xD i guess ill have to quickly seperate the fry from teh main tank then. oh wll, itll be worth it. I think i might get the mollies this weekend