Sailfin Mollies And Platies, Do They

[Lord Zogat]

How well would Sailfin Mollies (2 inch) and Platies (1 inch) get long in a 20 gallon tank? They are both nice looking fish, and say that they are tank mates, but just want to see if anyone has had experience with them. Thanks.

 

[dwarfgourami]

How well would Sailfin Mollies (2 inch) and Platies (1 inch) get long in a 20 gallon tank? They are both nice looking fish, and say that they are tank mates, but just want to see if anyone has had experience with them. Thanks.

Sailfin mollies grow seriously big- 6 inches is probably no exaggeration. So these are not what you will want for your 20 gallon. Otherwise, there shouldn't be a problem. I kept platies with some smaller black molly hybrid 30 years back- no clue what went into their genetical make-up, but they weren't sailfins- and they got on well as far as I remember.

 

[Lord Zogat]

Sailfin mollies grow seriously big- 6 inches is probably no exaggeration. So these are not what you will want for your 20 gallon. Otherwise, there shouldn't be a problem. I kept platies with some smaller black molly hybrid 30 years back- no clue what went into their genetical make-up, but they weren't sailfins- and they got on well as far as I remember.

Yah the tag did say up to 6 inches....hmmm ok back to the drawing board

So maybe just the Gouramis and the Planties then. Would just a plain algae eater work for a botton dweller. I thought Pleco's get to about 20", mind you Pleco's look more intersting.

 

[nmonks]

Why not skip the common livebearers and go for something more funky? There are some nice "rare" livebearers out there that are a lot of fun. They're not actually rare, just not always offered for sale, so you need to do a little hunting. There are a few places in London that regularly have a nice selection. Things like Ameca splendens and Xenotoca eiseni are usually easy enough to get, and wrestling halfbeaks would be fine in a 20 gallon tank. With a bit more work, you can find Alfaro cultratus, dwarf mosquitofish, and a few others.

None of these fish are especially difficult to keep provided you have hard, alkaline water, and lots will breed more or less easily, giving you something valuable to share or sell. Most eat algae, so you don't even need a plec unless you want one.

Check out the Rare Livebearers section.

Cheers,

Neale