I have a 5 gallon tank with 8 Mollies in it. Is that too much?

Question

I just wanted to make sure that this wasn't too much fish for this aquarium. If it is too much is there anything I can do besides take the fish out to help them cope? Thanks a bunch!!

Answer 1

You can't force a fish to cope with a too small of space. Yes, there are too many fish in there. Your mollies may be small now and look like they're okay, but they can grow to 6 inches each and you need to buy a tank that will allow them to grow in a healthy way and not stunted. Also, when mollies are compressed into a smaller living space, it often increases their aggressiveness. Mollies require about 30 gallons of water each as a grown adult. For 8 mollies, you really should have a 60-75 gallon tank, and I'm being really conservative with that estimate, if you want to keep all of them and have them be healthy and happy. You shouldn't even have one molly in there let alone 8, so even telling you to take back most of them isn't a suggestion that would work. You must get a larger tank and take back some of them in some sort of combination that works for the fish.

Answer 2

You need to have at least a 20 gallon tank for that many mollies. A 30 gallon would be better and less maintenance.
Small tanks, 10 gallons or less, are generally good for temporary housing only, as they will require frequent water changes to keep the toxin levels down in the water.
Mollies are extremely sensitive to water conditions. Their health will fail quickly in that small of a space.

Answer 3

wow, your fish are really crowded in there! I'd say the very MAXIMUM for your 5 gallon tank would be 2 mollies, but even two will outgrow it quickly. But instead of getting an 100 gallon tank for all of them, I'd recommend splitting your 8 mollies into two 50-60 gallon tanks, four in each tank. Hope i helped, and you should really get them out of there quick before they get ill!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

Way too big, mollies grow 6-8 inches and should be in at least 30 gallons

Answer 5

yes. there should be about 1 fish per gallon of water in the tank. your fish will live longer if there is more water in the tank. You can get another 5 gallon aquarium and split the # of fish between the tanks. That will give them plenty of water. especially bec. any illnes one can get will be passed quickly to any other fish in the tank!!!!

Answer 6

Eight is a good number, but keep in mind they are life bearers and will produce little tiny fry that will grow up to be adults. The big fish eat the babies so you need to have another place to put the babies until they are big enough to fend for themselves.

This is how I ended up with over 20 tanks set up in my home. Now I only have one tank, a 50 gal., with some poor excuses of guppies in it. I plan to make a community tank out of it once I get things set up right for it.

I think that a large school of mollies swimming in a school is so neat. They follow your movements. It is too cool.

Answer 7

I would definately get a 10 gal at least ... i think the rule is 1 fish per gallon.... =) just a suggestion... sounds like the fish would be crowded and not move around much... that would make that more vulnerable to not get along... did that make sense? good luck to you and your little fishies too!!

Answer 8

i think you have too many!!! mollies grow bigger you know that right. one fish per gallon (unless they are less than an inch long)

Answer 9

The general rule is 1 inch of fish per one gallon of water. So if your mollies are small and only add up to 8 inches of fish, you are fine. If not, you will need to clean the tank more often.
Don't add any more fish though-- keep the ratio for the best health of your tank.

Answer 10

Yah it is! you should have like three or something, because it must be crowded in there!