Platy And Molly Questions

[lola]

I'm a noob and I did look for this info, but didn't see it so I apologize if it is a repeat. In any case, I know that sometimes young livebearers "become male" when they reach maturity. The question is, how do I know if what I believe to be a female platy is mature? In other words, until she breeds with my male platy, is it ever safe to assume she is in fact a she? This one is quite a bit smaller than the one that I am sure is a male.

As for the mollies, I have two male balloon mollies. I thought I had a breeding pair, but no dice. I assume it would be unsafe for the female if I added just one as there are two males. Can anyone confirm this?

Tank cleaning: When is it safe to do a first water change on a newly set up tank? Amonia, nitrite and pH are all ok, but water is starting to look a little dingy.

Finally, I have 2 platys, 2 balloon mollies and a dwarf bristlenose pleco in a 10 (US) gal. tank. Can I add anymore fish or will that overstock it?

Thanks in advance

 

[helterskelter]

Fish in shop's are usually of a good age and would of sexed out most of the time, but if they have a gravid spot then your almost sure that it's a female.
It's only a few swords, platies and most mollies that can fool you into thinking their females as their gravid stop do not show, and have been known for late developers to show at a year old.


Male to female ratio's are best at 2-3 females to each male.

As for tank cleaning this should be done weekly and you should only ever change 20-30% of the water, unless your ammonia or nitrites are spikeing, then you need to do a water change 2-3 times a week to help keep it down.

As for space you have a little space for 3-4 more small fish but if you wanting to breed the platies then best left as it is as they will soon be giving you fry (thats guessing you have a pair)

 

[kribensis12]

Your 10g is about as good as it's going to get. But, i'd get another female platy and mollies as the rule of thumb for livebearers is 1 male / 2-3 femlaes as the male will stress her out. Make sure you do wekely, dechl;orinated waterchanges. Is your tank cycled? How long is it set up? Most fish are easy to sex at 2 months age, so if there are males in the tank, the big ones tha tlook like females are 98% of the time females.

 

[lola]

Fish in shop's are usually of a good age and would of sexed out most of the time, but if they have a gravid spot then your almost sure that it's a female.
It's only a few swords, platies and most mollies that can fool you into thinking their females as their gravid stop do not show, and have been known for late developers to show at a year old.


Male to female ratio's are best at 2-3 females to each male.

As for tank cleaning this should be done weekly and you should only ever change 20-30% of the water, unless your ammonia or nitrites are spikeing, then you need to do a water change 2-3 times a week to help keep it down.

As for space you have a little space for 3-4 more small fish but if you wanting to breed the platies then best left as it is as they will soon be giving you fry (thats guessing you have a pair)

On a white mickey mouse platy could the gravid spot be orange? Or are they always black? Thanks

Your 10g is about as good as it's going to get. But, i'd get another female platy and mollies as the rule of thumb for livebearers is 1 male / 2-3 femlaes as the male will stress her out. Make sure you do wekely, dechl;orinated waterchanges. Is your tank cycled? How long is it set up? Most fish are easy to sex at 2 months age, so if there are males in the tank, the big ones tha tlook like females are 98% of the time females.

Its a brand new tank, so my concern is just with the first water change. I don't want to stress the fish. In that case I won't get anymore mollies, but I suppose if I determine I have a pair of platies, I will get another female. Thanks for the help.

 

[kribensis12]

You should really take all the fish back except for 1 as your tank needs to be cycled or all your fish will die.

 

[helterskelter]

A shop should not of sold you fish for a new tank not with out cycling it first.

 

[rmanpf]

yes, some hardy fish like danios are ok for cycling but most livebearers are not very hardy and if you don't take them back the will most likely die.

sorry to burst your bubble...

 

[lola]

A shop should not of sold you fish for a new tank not with out cycling it first.

I was under the impression that as long as I had good readings I was ok. I ran the tank for about two weeks before I put any fish in. I was told it was best to put a few fish in in order to permanently regulate all the levels.

 

[5teady_2012]

A shop should not of sold you fish for a new tank not with out cycling it first.

I was under the impression that as long as I had good readings I was ok. I ran the tank for about two weeks before I put any fish in. I was told it was best to put a few fish in in order to permanently regulate all the levels.

If you just filla tank up with water and leave standing for a wekk or so, its obvious the readings will be ok cos the nitrogen cycle aint even started, you have to add amonia to start the cycle and continue adding until cycled (read the fishless cycle pinned thread)..

 

[lola]

A shop should not of sold you fish for a new tank not with out cycling it first.

I was under the impression that as long as I had good readings I was ok. I ran the tank for about two weeks before I put any fish in. I was told it was best to put a few fish in in order to permanently regulate all the levels.

If you just filla tank up with water and leave standing for a wekk or so, its obvious the readings will be ok cos the nitrogen cycle aint even started, you have to add amonia to start the cycle and continue adding until cycled (read the fishless cycle pinned thread)..

I've read it now. I orignially went on the advice of other people I know who have successful aquariums. I've also read that if I do partial water changes evry few days that will keep the ammonia levels in check. Does anyone suggest a chemical additive for the ammonia?

 

[5teady_2012]

A shop should not of sold you fish for a new tank not with out cycling it first.

I was under the impression that as long as I had good readings I was ok. I ran the tank for about two weeks before I put any fish in. I was told it was best to put a few fish in in order to permanently regulate all the levels.

If you just filla tank up with water and leave standing for a wekk or so, its obvious the readings will be ok cos the nitrogen cycle aint even started, you have to add amonia to start the cycle and continue adding until cycled (read the fishless cycle pinned thread)..

I've read it now. I orignially went on the advice of other people I know who have successful aquariums. I've also read that if I do partial water changes evry few days that will keep the ammonia levels in check. Does anyone suggest a chemical additive for the ammonia?

I think there is one called ammo lock or something similair

 

[kribensis12]

Amquel is a good one. It reduces Ammonia, Nitrates and Nitrites. It also get rid of Chlorine, Chlorimines. It is agreat product.

 

[helterskelter]

The chemicals do help to lock away ammonia, but it only helps for a day or two, water changes are the best thing to remove toxins.
Locking away the ammonia causes a problem though to the nitrate cycle and this will starve the good bacteria in the system and you have a more unstable tank.

 

[dunchp]

Yup, forget about the chemicals. Just change the water and you will probably be alright. Make sure you use tap water conditioner before

If you can find someone who has an aquarium already, you can take some of their gravel (assuming you are using undergravel filtration) which will get the cycle going.

And remember, no matter how high and mighty people on this forum get about your mistake, every one of them will have made an equally daft mistake at some time in their fishkeeping careers. I have made so many that I could start up a whole new forum

The only stupid mistakes are the ones you don't learn from.