I just started a 90 Gal salt water fish tank. I was told Mollies are a good fish to help season my tank. I called petsmart and was told it was REALLY bad to have them in there. I had them for about a week and then I noticed one of them had babies. Does that mean that my fish are happy in the tank? I know when the momma gets stressed she can abort her babies. Do I have anything to worry about?
2007-03-31 08:36:14 · 6 answers · asked by jilliwill 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Nope, you don't have anything to worry about at this point. Mollies are often used to cycle or season a saltwater tank so maybe Petsmart isn't really on the ball with that one. Personally, I would suggest you find an independent fish store that carries lots of saltwater as your primary pet shop for your fish. You will get far better information and support from that type of place that the typical Petsmart employee.
MM
2007-03-31 08:43:27 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Technically mollies are brackish water and usually swim between the fresh and salt. I keep them in my saltwater tanks to (I hate to say this) provide live food for my other fish.
They are very hearty and versitile. Guppies as well can live in your salt water tank.
The only down fall I will tell you about mollies in your salt water is the "poop" Since salt water fish extract more of a milky mist which disapates quickly, mollie poo will accumulate on the bottom of your tank. They are very social and will get along with most of your salt fish & inverts. They are great for controlling algae that starts in your tank as well. The babies will eat nothing but algae the first week or so.
I know the people at Petco Petsmart etc. are suposed to be professionals, however that has never been my experience. It is a real shame you cannot believe everything they tell you. I think he was more concerned that you weren't spending more money for salt fish vs. mollies. Mollies are always happy in salt water.
You have nothing to worry about.
2007-03-31 17:28:40 · answer #2 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not at all - this is another case of Pet - not - so - Smart strikes again! (sorry for stealing, this is MM's "invention")
I've added mollies to all my saltwater tanks as a first fish. I've used both sailfin mollies and lyretails (these are two different species), and as long as they're acclimated to salt properly, they do just fine in your tanks and will even reproduce.
I much prefer mollies to damsels as a first fish - the aggression level is less to new additions and the mollies will peck at algae to help with its control.
2007-03-31 16:15:42 · answer #3 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mollies, one of the best known tropical fish can actually live in both saltwater and freshwater. Mollies are livebearers (i.e. give birth to live young, rather than laying eggs) and are very easy to breed. They are hardy, passive fish, suitable for the well-planted community aquarium. They are very popular fish for starting aquarists.
2007-03-31 15:48:20 · answer #4 · answered by dave a 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are good for starting tank but when you put marine fish in they might attack the fins of the mollies so best put them in a tank of there own
2007-03-31 16:37:47 · answer #5 · answered by ray j 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
from all reports I've heard..mollies live (in the wild) in brackish water..salt water is the prefered medium for mollies...I can't keep mine alive in fresh water tanks, I had to give up!
2007-03-31 15:49:50 · answer #6 · answered by spottedmyappy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋