Molly Help - Beginner

[phishnoob]

ok i'm very new to fish tanks and fish. I just picked up a 2.5 gallon tank the other day and i placed 1 male betta fish in the tank. i also went to the fish emporium and ask the guy what type of fish i can add to the tank with the betta. the man suggested i buy 1 balloon molly. he is orange with black spots everywhere and pretty small. He's about the same size as the betta, but maybe a little bigger...

they do not bother one another but i noticed the molly is pretty hyper in the tank and swims around like crazy and almost seems crazy. is this normal behavior? my 2.5 gallon tank has a filter in it and the temperature is right where it needs to be but he just seems like a little spaz. I bought him yesterday and he isn't very laid back.

I just don't know if something is wrong with him or not....he swims up and down the side of the tank as if he's seeing himself in the reflection and he's going after it. He's just very hyper and all over the place and the Betta just casually swims around keeping to himself.

I am not sure if i need a slightly bigger tank but i only have 2 fish in this 2.5 gallon tank. I bought the tank yesterday as well if this helps...

Thank you in advance! I am just worried he'll be dead soon or something...

also what does it mean to have you tank cycle?

 

[The Taffy Apple]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/395278-my-first-ever-fun-tank/page__p__3322560__fromsearch__1#entry3322560

This chap has had what a cycle means explained to him, have a little read here and on the beginners section on this forum.

PS- get yourself a liquid based water test kit and be prepared to start changing water every day if need be.

Terry.

 

[phishnoob]

thank you i'll take a look. any advice on my molly's behavior?

 

[The Taffy Apple]

thank you i'll take a look. any advice on my molly's behavior?

I wouldn't worry about it just now, it is in a new environment and is taking time to adjust. yes, i agree, your tank is way too small for these fish.. is there any possibility at all of getting a larger tank, failing that it maybe more humane to return them to the store.

Terry.

 

[OldMan47]

A 2 1/2 gallon display tank is not suitable for any fish except maybe a betta with no tank mates. I have one of those so that I can use it for fish shows but that is the only time I even have any water in it. It is far to small for any molly at all for more than a day or two.

 

[Gilli]

He is acting like crazy because he is being poisoned by the toxic water he is in because your tank is not cycled. Start doing 90% water changes, quickly read up on cycling a tank with fish in, and buy a water testing kit asap. Failure to do so will probably result in your fish dying or if you are lucky for them to survive they will be suffering.

 

[OldMan47]

Mollies are very active swimmers so the behavior is not all that unusual, especially if you consider a betta "normal". As others have said, you need to start testing ASAP for chemical poisons in your water. Chances are good that you are seeing significant ammonia levels by now. You correct that by doing massive water changes using dechlorinated water.