Don't Know What To Do

[Akasha72]

Hey everyone,

I've run into a problem. I can see ways out of it but they arn't ideal.

The problem is the small 26 litre fry tank. I've had to put my purple apple snail in there as I have a platy/molly cross that just tries to kill and eat him if he's in the main tank.
The problem is I'm having ammonia problems in the fry tank. I tested it today and it was around 1ppm. I did an immediate large water change and have got it back down to zero for now. I'll test again in the morning.

The thing is I can't see how it could be fry causing such a large rise in ammonia. The fry in there vary in ages but there arn't enough of them to be causing such a big issue. The tank is filtered (interpet pf mini). The filter is new but I put some old media in there to try and instantly cycle it (perhaps not working?)

My best guess is it's the snail causing the problem and ideally I want to put him in the main tank where he belongs. I got him to help with cleaning and right now, he's not really living the best life in a tiny hexagon tank with a few babies.

To get him into the main tank I'd have to be rid of the platy/molly cross. I don't know anyone that would want an ageing fish (she's about 18 months old maybe) that's the biggest bully going.

I am tempted to knock her on the head (or clove oil her) but that just feels cruel.


I really can't see a way out of this and that's why I'm posting here. Can anyone make any better suggestions?

 

[soybean]

Take her to a shop, I'm sure the one you take the fry to would take it?

 

[Akasha72]

I don't think they will. They're happy to take the fry as they can grow them on and then sell them.

I could ask at P@H ...

 

[sadguppy]

I am confused, how do you get a molly/platy cross?

It might just be a mini-cycle, could be worth waiting it out?

 

[mattyeatsmatts]

getting rid of the the molly is a bit harsh.

but they do say.....Kill one(Molly) to save many(fry)

 

[Akasha72]

she was bought (as a baby) as a red wagtail platy. She has all the red wagtail colouring but she's grown really huge and her nose is the wrong shape for a platy. My Dad thinks she's a molly but I can still see platy which is why I've labelled her as a cross. I read that platies and mollies can interbreed

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Take her to a shop, I'm sure the one you take the fry to would take it?

I can't help feeling that there's a moral imperative not to pass our problem fish onto some poor unsuspecting customer.

A better solution might be to temporarily partition off a small part of the larger tank for the snail perhaps?

 

[Akasha72]

your right Prime Ordeal, It doesn't feel right either to go dump her at an lfs for someone else to find out what a nightmare she is. I'd feel terrible.

On the other hand sadguppy could be correct, this could be just a mini-cycle. I could be battering my brain with this dilema for no reason ...

As my title says ... I just don't know what to do

 

[FishBlast]

Hey everyone,

I've run into a problem. I can see ways out of it but they arn't ideal.

The problem is the small 26 litre fry tank. I've had to put my purple apple snail in there as I have a platy/molly cross that just tries to kill and eat him if he's in the main tank.
The problem is I'm having ammonia problems in the fry tank. I tested it today and it was around 1ppm. I did an immediate large water change and have got it back down to zero for now. I'll test again in the morning.

The thing is I can't see how it could be fry causing such a large rise in ammonia. The fry in there vary in ages but there arn't enough of them to be causing such a big issue. The tank is filtered (interpet pf mini). The filter is new but I put some old media in there to try and instantly cycle it (perhaps not working?)

My best guess is it's the snail causing the problem and ideally I want to put him in the main tank where he belongs. I got him to help with cleaning and right now, he's not really living the best life in a tiny hexagon tank with a few babies.

To get him into the main tank I'd have to be rid of the platy/molly cross. I don't know anyone that would want an ageing fish (she's about 18 months old maybe) that's the biggest bully going.

I am tempted to knock her on the head (or clove oil her) but that just feels cruel.


I really can't see a way out of this and that's why I'm posting here. Can anyone make any better suggestions?

Platy/Molly cross?!
I've got an idea with that. *evil grin*
It goes like this: breed platy/molly hybrid with guppy since guppies and mollies breed to make muppies, then breed that to a platy and then breed to a swordtail.

The result =

 

[sadguppy]

Platies and mollies can't actually crossbreed but a muppytail does sound cute...

 

[Akasha72]

well here's a picture of her ... somebody else can guess what she is

 

[sadguppy]

Hmmm looks like a platy to me. Could be a swordtail/platy cross as they are bigger.

 

[Akasha72]

I refer you to this ...

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/55508-can-you-crossbreed-a-platy-and-molly/

 

[sadguppy]

God the stupidity in that thread made my brain hurt! Haha.

 

[FishBlast]

Hmmm looks like a platy to me. Could be a swordtail/platy cross as they are bigger.

Doesn't look like a swordtail much, might just be a platy suffering of gigantism.
Swordies have a rounder beak, platies seem to have that bird beak (makes them look like hens to me...).
Mollies have the swordie beak too. So I don't see any traits of other fish in it.