Timid Balloon Molly's

[KezJona]

I bought my first few fish on Saturday and the 2 swordtails are fine, swimming around a lot, then going into hiding. However, the Balloon Molly's are constantly hiding at the top right of the tank where the filter and heater are. We both think that the paler one of the 2 is pregnant as her belly is huge and another member on here confirmed this fact. I just hardly ever see them and it is a real shame, we got the LFS assistant to pick us a female and a male but we think the female was pregnant before we got her.

The male and female are always together, never leaving each other, but the time I see them mostly is when I give them food, once a day. The pregnant one will become adventurous and go all around the tank looking for food, but the black male will be too scared to leave his hiding place and just wait for the food to get caught in the current of the filter and come to him.

Also, the black one always swims right in front of the filter where the water is being pushed out, I have the Interpret Power Filter PF1 and have the venturi active on it, but he always looks like he is struggling Just worrying about these 2 as my partner picked them and loves them to bits

Kez

Edit: I have a 40l tank with a lot of hiding places and also open spaces.

 

[Caprichoso]

In order to rule some things out, you should do a water test for ammonia and nitrites first. Also, check to make sure your temperature is in the safe range for your fish and that it's not fluctuating wildly. Make sure all your equipment is in good working order, filters, heaters, etc. If all those things are good then it may be that your fish are just stressed out from the move from the store. Most of the time they get over it. Is your lighting really bright? You can maybe try turning off the light for a day and see how they act.

 

[KezJona]

In order to rule some things out, you should do a water test for ammonia and nitrites first. Also, check to make sure your temperature is in the safe range for your fish and that it's not fluctuating wildly. Make sure all your equipment is in good working order, filters, heaters, etc. If all those things are good then it may be that your fish are just stressed out from the move from the store. Most of the time they get over it. Is your lighting really bright? You can maybe try turning off the light for a day and see how they act.

I got my master kit today and these were my readings:

PH - 6.8 (Did a big weater change)
Amonnia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates 5ppm

Here is a picture of my results as well because I found it hard which reading I got:

The temperature has stayed the same ever since the heater was first turned on, it doesn't flucuate and is constantly at 26-26C.

I cleaned out my filter today and checked everything, all is ok. Here is a picture of the female and male mollies.

They are outisde near the out flow of the filter right now, but usually they are right behind it in the corner. My black swordtail is with them and the red one is hiding in a bush:

They have been in the tank since Saturday... sorry for this but I am new to all this fish stuff and trying my hardest to create the best environment for both the fish and myself. Here is a link to my welcome post which explains the setup of my tank is that helps: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/365148-kez-and-his-new-tank/

Hope this helps,

Kez

Edit: My day light was on for a\round 10 hours today then I switched it to the night time light which is why the pictures are slightly blue. This is the tank I have:

http/www.petsathome.com/shop/fish-box-40cm-tank-by-interpet-%28available-in-store-only%29-36859?cm_mmc=Google%20Base%20Products%20Products%20Products

 

[Caprichoso]

With my kit, the ammonia test is supposed to stay clear if there's no ammonia. I'm a bit confused because I also have API. Your test tube for ammonia is yellow. Either my test kit is different than yours or you have ammonia!

 

[KezJona]

That is my test kit readings I need to follow.

Kez

 

[Caprichoso]

Oh okay, thank god, lol! Your kit is different than mine. I guess all you can do for now is wait and see since water parameters are good. Hopefully, they come around!

 

[KezJona]

Oh okay, thank god, lol! Your kit is different than mine. I guess all you can do for now is wait and see since water parameters are good. Hopefully, they come around!

Hehe you had me worried thinking if I got a dodgy kit! Isn't it odd that my water is good even though it has only been doing a fish-in cycle since Saturday? And also, what if they don't come around ?

Kez