Strange Molly Behavior

[Stacey269]

I have had a pair of black sailfin mollies, male & female for about six months. The female had babies about 5 months ago, but ever since then, she has been miscarrying. The male also started beating her up a bit. I got a new female to add to the tank thinking that would help. It's been 3 days now since I added her, and basically the orginal pair keep swimming together, and the male keeps chasing the new female into a corner at the bottom of the tank. He won't let her eat either. All she's doing is sitting at the bottom in a corner. If she tries to venture out, the male quickly chases her back. Is this normal? I would have thought the male would be happy to have another playmate. What should I do? This isn't a happy existence for a fish, to just stay at the bottom of the tank like that. Any ideas why this could be happening?

 

[Guppylover]

I think you have a really aggresive male here. Mabye you should get more female mollies or get rid of the male. When I say get rid I don't mean kill it mabye just give it away or back to your LFS and get another more peaceful male.

 

[GuppyDude]

b4 u get rid of the male i would just isolate him for a week then reintroduce him. maybe then he'll settle down.

 

[Stacey269]

He is so beautiful, big and strong with a gold-tipped top fin. That's why I'm anxious to have some babies that are his. Do you think isolating him is the answer?

 

[wrs]

i had a really agressive molly and i isolated him once, and he was nice for 2 days, then he became mean again. maybe take out the female, get a meaner one then the male, then put her in, he should stop harrasing her then.

 

[Stacey269]

How do I know if I'm getting a meaner female?

 

[GuppyDude]

look at them b4 u purchase, find one that harasses other fish and doesnt take #### from n e one.

 

[balloon molly]

wanna use my female(lol she fights with everyone and everything including my hand)maybe she could use some one who will fight back.lol.maybe try to umm.
yeah i would suggest to find another place to put the male in.

 

[bittersweet]

thats odd because all the females ive ever had are always more aggressive than my males and will not let them eat. I think it has to do with size as well, if she is a tad smaller then him than that may be why, maybe do what everyone says and isolate him (even in a breeder net for a while, so he cant attack her and she can eat) or return him for another male.

 

[Stacey269]

I give up! The new female, although smaller than the male, is bigger than the first female. I put the male in a breeder net for the last 2 days, and although the new female finally decided to come out, the first female began chasing her back into the corner! Although she was finally able to eat, the first female kept chasing her into the corner so much, that she just kept on hiding. So I let the male out. He's been leaving her alone, but if she tries to come out, she gets chased back in by the female. I'm feeling like if she won't stand up for herself a little bit, what more can I do? My male is my favorite fish and I don't want to get rid of him. The first female is all beat up from the male picking on her, yet she won't allow him to have someone else to preoccupy him for a little while. Is there any help for this fish, or should I just let her keep on hiding if that's how she's going to be?