Betta And Dalmatian Mollies...

[Sly13Cat]

Well I have a 10 gallon with 3 guppies and I decided to add 4 Dalmatian Mollies. They were picking on the guppies a little so I decided to feed them. After that they cared less about the guppies. So I left and when I came back then I watched as one Molly bit a guppy quite a few times. I tried to distract him but he wouldn't stop. Then I quickly got the net and removed the guppy into a cup. I added a little Betta-Fix but sadly he died not too long after

. I thought Mollies were good tank-mates but I guess not so I moved the other guppies to the other 10 gallon where they swim happily with other fish including 2 Red Wag Molies who they swim around with out even caring

. Now I wanted to know what would happen if I added a male Betta. I choose him because he's about the same size as the Mollies and he can defend himself (As with any other Betta) so they may not pick on him. I was wondering if he would be good with Mollies. Would he be?

 

[FishBlast]

Well I have a 10 gallon with 3 guppies and I decided to add 4 Dalmatian Mollies. They were picking on the guppies a little so I decided to feed them. After that they cared less about the guppies. So I left and when I came back then I watched as one Molly bit a guppy quite a few times. I tried to distract him but he wouldn't stop. Then I quickly got the net and removed the guppy into a cup. I added a little Betta-Fix but sadly he died not too long after

. I thought Mollies were good tank-mates but I guess not so I moved the other guppies to the other 10 gallon where they swim happily with other fish including 2 Red Wag Molies who they swim around with out even caring

. Now I wanted to know what would happen if I added a male Betta. I choose him because he's about the same size as the Mollies and he can defend himself (As with any other Betta) so they may not pick on him. I was wondering if he would be good with Mollies. Would he be?

Watch out for signs of mollies getting tails shredded after you add the betta. Some bettas might attack pretty much anything (as long ago a pack of mine managed to shred the dorsal fin of one of my Hoplos, so they do pick on bigger-sized fish - this might also be because they worked in a team though).
Oddly the swordtails and black mollies weren't touched so your Dalmatian Mollies might have a chance. They're not strikingly colored either so the betta might not care about them or might get his own tail shredded and run like a chicken...

 

[Sly13Cat]

So I plan on watching the Betta once he's added. So if the Betta takes a few nips from a Molly or 2 then subsides would he still be good? Also, it seems unlikely because they're black and white unlike a Betta (or Guppy)... So within a few days I'll try the betta out.

Also, how would you treat one with BettaFix? Mine has a rip in his fin probably from the plant. I added a few drops to his personal bowl. Would I do water changes every day and dose until it's fixed?

 

[FishBlast]

So I plan on watching the Betta once he's added. So if the Betta takes a few nips from a Molly or 2 then subsides would he still be good? Also, it seems unlikely because they're black and white unlike a Betta (or Guppy)... So within a few days I'll try the betta out.

Also, how would you treat one with BettaFix? Mine has a rip in his fin probably from the plant. I added a few drops to his personal bowl. Would I do water changes every day and dose until it's fixed?

Bettas are smart fish. So he will know you are watching. One way to see him in his "normal" behavior is to spy on him with a camera.
Even worse, they act at night. That's why many people cannot see the betta doing anything during the day / lights on. But if you see any tail shreds (either on betta or mollies), separate them.

I never tried betta fix or medicine, never had diseases to treat with anything so far. The experts around here should know. However, I'm pretty sure they'd say rather change the water and make sure it's clean and the fins will grow on their own. I didn't use anything on any fish that had tail / fins shredded. They grew back quick. So rather not use betta-fix meds, I heard it may damage the breathing labyrinth of the betta.

 

[Sly13Cat]

Alright Spy Camera, Hunting at night and no BettaFix just water changes.
Thank you FishBlast everyone have a good day.

 

[FishBlast]

Alright Spy Camera, Hunting at night and no BettaFix just water changes.
Thank you FishBlast everyone have a good day.

Yeah can use your comp camera or something.

About the betta fix, like I said, wait for the experts. But they'll probably say to just change water, unless the tail/fins keep getting shredded further or doesn't heal within 3 days, in which case betta-fix is needed.

 

[LucidusAstrum]

I had a betta and Dalmatian mollies, and found my betta with chunks gone from his fins.
The culprit was the male molly, took him out and my betta was fine after.

 

[FishBlast]

Any updates on Betta and Mollies?

 

[Sly13Cat]

Haven't added him yet but plan on doing so soon but what's weird is that one of the guppies in the other tank has died. I think the Dainos got to him because one was nipping him a little. Too bad, he was my favorite. This is the 4th guppy that's ever died. There's one left in the other tank. Just like the guy from the pet store said, "Return all of our guppies and don't buy any more". He says that they're hard to keep, they don't live long, they get injections for colour, it's hard to keep them with other fish and they die easy. The Betta will be added around 5 PM. About 4 hours. First I'll add him inside of the cup that I got him in from the Pet Store with the cap on and see what he does. It that doesn't work I'll try with my Crowntail Flare (Named because he flares at EVERYTHING). I'll keep everyone posted though.

 

[FishBlast]

Haven't added him yet but plan on doing so soon but what's weird is that one of the guppies in the other tank has died. I think the Dainos got to him because one was nipping him a little. Too bad, he was my favorite. This is the 4th guppy that's ever died. There's one left in the other tank. Just like the guy from the pet store said, "Return all of our guppies and don't buy any more". He says that they're hard to keep, they don't live long, they get injections for colour, it's hard to keep them with other fish and they die easy. The Betta will be added around 5 PM. About 4 hours. First I'll add him inside of the cup that I got him in from the Pet Store with the cap on and see what he does. It that doesn't work I'll try with my Crowntail Flare (Named because he flares at EVERYTHING). I'll keep everyone posted though.

Omg what kind of Guppies do they have there? Injected for color?
I made my own line of Guppies the natural way. -.-
Hard to keep? Mine used to have babies a lot and lived around 3 years. 2 of my males with green tails were the oldies that remained.

Lol I read / heard from some betta owners that Crowntails are one of the most aggressive types of bettas. They tend to kill anything that's bright and moves. Even their own females.

 

[OldMan47]

A betta is not a good tank mate for an aggressive molly. Bettas in general are very passive fish, regardless of their reputation to the contrary. An aggressive molly will shred your betta. The aggressive molly is not at all unusual. I have had more problems with mollies than almost any other fish in terms of the occasional aggressive one. I specialize in livebearers and usually keep a tank for each separate species but mollies are in my community tank with lots of other fish. Once in a while, it seems like every time but I know that is not true, I get an aggressive molly. The molly is just going to be a pain until its time has come. Often I can find a way to isolate it, there are advantages to running 26 tanks, but otherwise, I must make sure the fish placed with the molly are tough and can survive with aggressive tank mates. Unfortunately, Betta splendens is not such a fish.

 

[Sly13Cat]

Just wanted to update that I added the betta about a hour ago. There was a bit of nipping and flaring but I feed them and the pretty much mind they're business.