Do Mollies Need Brackish Water

[Fishy friend2]

I have heard mixed opinions about Mollies needing brackish water to be happy, and I was wondering if thy actually did need brackish water

 

[mike455555]

find out where they come from... if its brackish then yes

 

[creeker]

It doesn't have to be all the way brackish, but I think they do benefit from having a little salt in there. If kept in 100% fresh, it would be best to have it mildly alkaline. They do really thrive in brackish, though.

 

[Fishy friend2]

find out where they come from... if its brackish then yes

They inhabit mexico! They come from fresh to marine water

Not actually brackish, but I think they do benefit from having a little salt in there. If kept in 100% fresh, it would be best to have it mildly alkaline.

Okay, thank you creeker

 

[Man of fish]

the answer is no, but they do thrive in slightly brackish water.

 

[Fishy friend2]

the answer is no, but they do thrive in slightly brackish water.

Okay, so they do not "need" it but do like having brackish water or a little bit of salt in their water

 

[Man of fish]

yeppers.

 

[Fishy friend2]

yeppers.

Okay, thank you

 

[Cazgar]

Most mollies you get from Lfs's haven't been born or kept in brackish water, so the answer is, no, they don't need it, but will tolerate it in our aquariums

 

[three-fingers]

Most mollies you get from Lfs's haven't been born or kept in brackish water, so the answer is, no, they don't need it, but will tolerate it in our aquariums

Actually this isn't true, mollies are quite often bred in brackish water, they just get put if freshwater LFS tanks.

If you have hard, alkaline water with low nitrates you'll be fine, but don't expect them to thrive in soft/acidic water, as they will just get progressively unhealthier over months.

They should ideally be kept in brackish water IMO as it makes them far easier to keep healthy, and there are plenty of other similar livebearers for a freshwater tank anyway.

 

[Fishy friend2]

Most mollies you get from Lfs's haven't been born or kept in brackish water, so the answer is, no, they don't need it, but will tolerate it in our aquariums

Actually this isn't true, mollies are quite often bred in brackish water, they just get put if freshwater LFS tanks.

If you have hard, alkaline water with low nitrates you'll be fine, but don't expect them to thrive in soft/acidic water, as they will just get progressively unhealthier over months.

They should ideally be kept in brackish water IMO as it makes them far easier to keep healthy, and there are plenty of other similar livebearers for a freshwater tank anyway.

Okay, my water is soft so I guess If I ever keep them I will keep them in a brackish water aquarium

 

[Fishy friend2]

Most mollies you get from Lfs's haven't been born or kept in brackish water, so the answer is, no, they don't need it, but will tolerate it in our aquariums

So if I do get one that was breed in freshwater, it will only tolerate it the salt and not thrive in it?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

They need minerals in the water, not salt. They thrive in hard water conditions, but can survive in brackish water.

As stated, they will struggle in soft, acidic water. But they don't need salt, just minerals - so hard, alkaline water is the best way to keep them.


The good news is that they can handle a good bit of salt, which means that you can treat ich for mollies with temp and salt.

 

[Fishy friend2]

Okay, thank you eagle, so my water will not suite them well. Aww I love those fish so much, they are so pretty, and interesting
apperenltly in the wild they live in freshwater streams, brackish water, and saltwater....

 

[Fishy friend2]

Found this while I was doing some research
   Mollies mostly inhabit coastal waters from southeastern North America south to Venezuala, but they have been found in the ocean as well as in brackish and fresh water.