Mollies On The Surface

[andy334]

I have a fairly new tank (2 months old) and I have noticed that, recently, my mollies (4 females) are tending to group at the top of the tank on occasion. They sit at the top right hand corner (my upright filter blows to the top left) and whilst they do not appear stressed or such it is a concern.

Tank conditions are good. Not over-stocked, PH balance good, temperature constant (although the wife does tend to have the light on too much for my liking).

I am fairly new to mollies having spent previous years on my Red Tipped Ruby Shark so grateful for any advice - no matter how irrelevant you think it may be.

 

[jpedersen024]

Mollies tend to do well in brackish water... have you added salt?

I've always had luck with a good salt bath at the first sign of illness with my mollies and platies. Sounded a bit wacky at first, but using almost a gallon of water from their tank, I add roughly 1 - 1.5 tsp of salt every 2 minutes for 10 minutes. Monitoring them closely of course. After 2 such treatments, I haven't had any further issues...

Would have just added some to my tank if it weren't for the plants...

 

[morgan]

Hi, I have kept Mollies for a while now. They tend to swim at all levels but they are surface feeders. If they show no outward signs of illness and are not gasping I would say they are just being Mollies. Tank bred Mollies can do without salt although possibly they are better with it. I can't have salt because of my pleco. I hadn't read about the salt thing as I bought my Mollies before I had internet access so I didn't know.

 

[andy334]

Hi, I have kept Mollies for a while now. They tend to swim at all levels but they are surface feeders. If they show no outward signs of illness and are not gasping I would say they are just being Mollies. Tank bred Mollies can do without salt although possibly they are better with it. I can't have salt because of my pleco. I hadn't read about the salt thing as I bought my Mollies before I had internet access so I didn't know.

Thank you both for your comments. The mollies are all in good health so I am happy with the advice that they are just being mollies. Salt is an age old cure that I have been using for over 25 years and it is the first approach I use for ich and whitespot but, as a general rule, I do not use it unless there is a problem.

As this is my first time with Mollies I will leave them be for now and see how they progress. I have 5 new babies in the tank so I am a bit worried about doing anything that may tip the balance the wrong way.

Thanks again for the advice, most welcome.