Yaay! I'm Oficially a Fishkeeper...

[Markos84uk]

Hi everyone....

Thanks to everyone for advice on getting our tank set up. The fish are now in (the ones in my sig) but i'm not completley sure how to tell if they are happy. I guess they got nothing else to do, but they just seem to constantly be looking for food, picking at gravel, walls etc.

Is this normal?

Also, our black molly is REALLY a great big bully, but only at feeding time. It doesnt want to let the others near the top to get to the flakes, it goes all psycho and chases them off. the rest of the time, he/she seems ok. I was thinking of just putting him in a container for 10 mins while the others eat but i'm not sure if this will stress him out too much. Any suggestions/comments?

It all seems ok though, tank looks nice and clean and no signs of infections
(an i love the way they kinda sleep )

Mark

 

[BIGMAC]

Hi Mark,i personally wouldnt put him ina container as it will stress him out i would imagin,i would sprinkle a little food in one corner to get his attention then once hes eating away put a little more in the other side of the tank 4 the other fish,thats what i have to do cos i got a greedy little bugger too.It some times works but not always i try and leave a couple of bigger flakes that float and crumble sum really tiney so they sink a bit to give the other fish a chance.

Sue

 

[cometcattle]

I wouldnt take him out either. I float some food on top and I take a pinch, dip my fingers in the tank, let go in current coming from the filter, it shoots the food down and everyone eats, not just the piggies.

 

[Markos84uk]

Hi guys

thanks for that, I like the sound of both of those, i'll try letting the food go down AND sprinkle some in the corner. He's a great fish the rest of the time, but he really is like Jekyl an Hyde at feeding time.

Thanks for the tips


Mark

 

[heresmike]

but i'm not completley sure how to tell if they are happy. I guess they got nothing else to do, but they just seem to constantly be looking for food, picking at gravel, walls etc.

Is this normal?

Sounds totally normal to me! When they DON'T do the things you mentioned, and just stay motionless or hide in the corner... that's when it's not normal (unless they're sleeping). Sounds like your fish are checking out the new place and settling in just fine!

Enjoy!

 

[pendragon]

Put an appropriately-sized pinch of food on each end of the tank. The bully can't keep the fish away from both sides and get something to eat himself (if he can, he's too "big" a bully for that size tank). Even if he tries, sooner or later he'll have to stop. The other fish will catch on pretty quick, and go to the side where he's not.

pendragon!

 

[tmlhaus]

I had 2 black mollies at different times. Both of them were bullies to the other fish, even when it wasn't at feeding time. They even got to the point of picking on other fish until death occured. I'll never have another black molly. Even when I watch them in the store, they are more aggressive than the other colors. Good luck, I hope he settles down.

 

[tstenback]

Markos84uk
Congratulations!! You made it and i hope that you have as rewarding a time at this as i have. There will be failures and unexplained disasters along the way but for the most part this is a fabulous hobby.
As for the piggy the folks here have given great advise good luck.

 

[Markos84uk]

Thanks again guys

what a help this site is

p.s we got baby mollies!!! (for now, unless the black molly get hold of em )

Mark