Mollies

[IUCowgirl]

I went to PetCo and the guy there told me to buy some cheep Mollies for my newly started Saltwater aq. to get it balanced. Can they go in saltwater? I've been searching the internet and all I can find is that they can go in a little salt, not full saltwater. I've had 2 die on me know and i'm not sure if this is the cause of it. Please Help!

 

[cichlidmaster]

Welcome to the forum, IUCowgirl,

I am not the resident expert in marine tanks, so unfortunantley I can't help, but I did want to let you know I moved your topic here where it is sure to get a response.

As for the mollies, I am not totally sure, but I don't believe they can take straight saltwater.

Best thing is to wait for the marine members to help you though!!

CM

 

[William]

I went to PetCo and the guy there told me to buy some cheep Mollies for my newly started Saltwater aq. to get it balanced. Can they go in saltwater? I've been searching the internet and all I can find is that they can go in a little salt, not full saltwater. I've had 2 die on me know and i'm not sure if this is the cause of it. Please Help!

Yep, mollies come traditionally from "brackish waters" these are slightly salty, however, they can't go in a full salt tank as it'll kill them as you've found out, I'm really shocked he said you should actually and I'd suggest you go to a different petstore! However even now mollies have been kept for generations in freshwater tanks and so don't need salt at all!

I'm not sure what starter fish would be best for a saltwater tank, I've heard damsels are cheap but once in a tank are hard to get rid of... One of the saltwater moderators will help though I am sure

 

[whacky]

Hi there sorry im a bit slow in responding i have been away and i am slowly catching up.

Mollies are as already said brackish fish, some lfs will suggest the use of mollies as starter fish for a marine tank. You set the tank up and then slowly raise the salinity of the tank to the required level,

I personally DO NOT reccomend this practice and it annoys me that places do, this no matter how slowly done is unfair on the fish

You would be far better buying a few damsels of some description, or even some captive bread clownes as these are much hardier than there wild caught counterparts. Along with that a change of pet store is needed!!!!

Hope that helps you

Whacky

 

[IUCowgirl]

I want to thank everyone for their help. I plan on taking all of the mollies back to PetCo this weekend and complaining. I have been thinking of adding clown's, but they cost too much (I'm still in college and I have a horse that I also have to spoil B) ).

I have found 2 other fish stores that I have been going to and a few more I'm going to try out. I'm really excited about my tank. I think all I need are more fish and some craps and snails to accent all of the plants and corals that I have added.

Thanks again for the help!

 

[Pondlady]

Many years ago, when I started my first 30 gal saltwater tank, I was also told to use black mollies. They said to start at half-salinity and add a little more every day or two until the salt content was correct. The mollies did just fine. I kept them in for about a month and then SLOWLY added reef fish. I finally moved the mollies to another small tank and slowly reduced the salt with water changes (they had babies before I got a chance to give them away and I ended up using them for "live food" SORRY! But the fish sure liked them - the black was easy to spot against the white gravel. ) )

I may be starting up saltwater again and plan to do the same thing.

 

[Great Lakes]

Damsels are the best way IMO, they are inexpensive, and very hardy.