Is It True Mollies Need Brackish Or At Least Somewhat Salty Water?

[PrincessKiara]

One thing I was told a while back keeps haunting me. Is it true that Mollies need some salt in the water in order to avoid becoming "Ich magnets"? And if so would those levels of salt be safe for angelfish, plants, Neon tetras, hatchetfish, discus, ADFs, etc.? Or would that be harmful?
I looooooooove Ballon Belly Mollies

Thanks in advance

~PK.

 

[the_lock_man]

There's a lot of conjecture on this subject.
 
We have a topic in our Common Livebearers FAQ section, this one, written by a very well-respected aquarist, who puts forward the case for salt for mollies. My own experience with mollies backs up what he says, in that mine developed the shimmies quite quickly. In the article, it doesn't mention ich as one of the common ailments of a saltless mollie, but as well as the shimmies, fin-rot and fungal infections are common.
 
In my opinion, the other species of fish you mention should only be kept in freshwater, not brackish to any degree.

 

[PrincessKiara]

Oh, OK, thanks!

 

[Zante]

I have seen mollies in reef tanks, so I'd say yes, they are definitely brackish water fish.
 
Usually brackish fish will adapt to salinity variations, as it is typical of brackish environments, so low salinity will be fine, even almost freshwater, but they won't be happy in straight freshwater.
 
All the other fish you mentioned are soft water fish, and they will be unhappy in hard water, let alone water with salt in.
 
I don't know much about frogs, but I doubt very much the ADFs would like it.

 

[ncguppy830]

id say that thed thrive in all 3 water types, freshwater, saltwater and brackish. even in pure freshwater they could thrive somewhat, but id say the best is brackish.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

In my experience, they don't require salt, but they do require hard water.