Should I

[ScoutCarcer]

At the Walmart near they have some dalmation mollies. There is one young one that is in danger of being eaten by ghost shrimp. Should I buy it?

 

[Annastasia]

I'd say yes, provided you can quarantine it, and provided you can give it an adequate sized home when it is full grown, and growing.

What size tank are you thinking of putting it in?

It must be pretty tiny too, if it is in danger of being eaten by Ghost Shrimp...

 

[ScoutCarcer]

Its not that small but there are about 50 ghost shrimp and its getting weak because the walmart does feed but the fish are neglected and they are to sick to get the food. The ghost shrimp dont eat the flakes so they eat the small mollys, the sick ones, and the dead ones. Its quiet sad really the ones that are best cared for are the bettas and there not cared for very well.


EDIT:I will put it in a 1 gallon until im sure its not sick. When im sure of that I'll pu tit in my ten gallon.

 

[Annastasia]

1 gallon could be okay for short term...bigger would be better....but how big is this guy? And make sure to quarantine for 2 1/2-4 weeks.

And what 10 gallon are you going to put him in? Surely not the one in your signature?

 

[ScoutCarcer]

The molly is around 2 centimeters. The 10 gallon Im going to put him in isnt the one in my signature. I had my other tropical fish in a ten gallon when I moved them into a 20 gallon I got a left over ten gallon. And I was going to make it a molly tank anyway.

 

[Annastasia]

Oh okay.

10 gallons is pretty small for a Molly tank, unless you only want 1-2 Mollies. But I would still really advise against keeping any Mollies in a 10 gallon...they preferably need 20 gallons or so, because they get pretty big, and they need room to swim.

 

[ScoutCarcer]

I was just going to put two female mollies in it and some bottom dwellers.

 

[afireinside]

two? that's it, i'd recromand adding one more female and a male.

 

[ScoutCarcer]

I dont want them to breed, but I might keep 3 female mollies in the ten gallon.

 

[Annastasia]

3 female Mollies PLUS the Bottom feeders? That is going to really overstock your tank in my opinion. If you really want Livebearers in that tank, go for some smaller ones, like Guppies or Platies...Or just a few Mollies.

 

[ScoutCarcer]

I already have 3 guppies and platies are boring.

 

[Annastasia]

Platies are boring? I find Mollies to be slower moving then Platies...

What exactly would make Mollies not boring then?

Anyhoo, I'm just stating my opinion, and trying to give you some advice. You can take it or leave it. I personally that is you absolutely want to have Mollies in a 10, you could have maybe 1 Molly in a 10 with some Bottom Feeders. Or 2 Mollies alone. Mollies can get to 6", so just prepare for that.

 

[ScoutCarcer]

I dont hate platies or anything the just bore me. To me mollys are just more interesting.

The last time I had mollys I had 1 boy and 2 girls along with a small pleco in a ten gallon.

 

[Annastasia]

What happened to them? How long ago did you have them?

And even if you do get 2 females, you will probably have fry, seeing as they can store sperm. As long as you have room to grow up 50+ fry each month for a few months, and a place to put the Mollies should they get too big for the tank...

Back to the original topic. I'd get the little guy/gal if it is looking miserable...but please make sure it will have a big enough tank.

 

[morgan]

My largest Dalmation Molly ever has been 4 inches! I have never seen one at 6 inches, not that I doubt your word if you have had them that big. Mine are in a 20UKgal tank but I have males and females and they breed like mad. Fortunately but also sadly in a way, most of the fry get eaten when they are tiny. I have three fry of different sizes at the moment so they must each be the sole survivors of many! I like Mollies they are nice friendly fish and mine are very hardy.