Silver Mollies

[kstacey]

I've got 3 silver mollies, by looking on t'internet i've found out that 2 are males and one is female. One male and the female are the same size and the other male is quite small. All of a sudden the larger male has gone black across the edge of the top fin and the same around the tail fin, he's also become quite agressive. Any ideas as to why this has happened to the male. The female is very large and does hide in the plants although she has no gravid spot i can see.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Rehome one of the males as 2males to 1female is not a good mix and they will be stressing her out alot, idealy you should have at least 2-3females per male in mixed gender groups. How big is the tank they are in, how long has it been set up, and what are your recent water stats like ammonia, nitrates and nitrites?
Was the color changed male full grown(i.e about 3inchs) when you first got him?

 

[kstacey]

I've had the tank about 3 months, all the water is OK i've tested it, i try and do a water change most weeks. Got them from the local garden centre, they prob didn't know about the ratio and neither did i to be honest. They were all quite small to start with about inch and a half, one of the males has stayed the same size and the other male and female have grown to about 2 and a half inch. They've always got on quite well until the last couple of weeks. Cheers for info

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

How big a tank are they in though?

 

[kstacey]

Sorry mate forgot that bit, it's 10 gallon cause we were just starting so got a smaller one. There's also some neon tetra and a plec in there but they don't bother them.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

2 standard (not sailfin)mollys max is realy all a 10gal can happily fit in, they are very active fish and need lots of space so instead of changing the gender ratios i'd just rehome the female. I'd be concerned about the plec though, many grow massise and will outgrow your tank- do you know what type he is? How many neons do you have?

 

[kstacey]

Not sure what type he is but have been told he will grow quite big, have got 5 tetras. Just in the process of rebuilding the kitchen and living room and the idea is to buy a large tank for the room, so they'll all have a nice big tank soon anyway. Thanks for your help much appreciated.