Why Is My Female Dalmation Molly Going After My Female Balloon Molly?

[wendyngd]

Any input would be appreciated. They might both be pregnant...Thanks. Wendy

 

[Annastasia]

Some fish are just simply aggressive. Though, what size tank are they in and what other fish?

 

[wendyngd]

Thanks- It's a 10 gallon tank with those 2 adult female mollies (we just lost the male dalmation molly that we got with the one that's chasing the other!) And we have 5 mollie fry--about 2 1/2 months old.

It looks like the bigger female is "flexing her muscles"--I'd hate to have to separate them with a separater in the tank like we used last year with an agressive betta!

-Wendy

 

[Annastasia]

Hmmm...that's a smallish tank for Mollies. She may be feeling threatened over territory, or food. You could try adding in more decorations/hiding places. Is there any way you could upgrade the tank?

 

[campbellmay]

I had a similar problem, with my ballon molly being bullied. It got really bad, to a point where she got really beaten up and I had to move her out of the tank.

A third molly might help, but you always run the risk of getting an even bigger bully, or simply making the dalmation more agressive. As Annastasia mentioned, the most definite way to lessen agression is to put them in a bigger tank. But, of course, that's not always possible.

They might resolve it themselves...the balloon molly might simply learn to stay out of the way. As long as the balloon molly isn't being harmed, maybe you could give it some time?

 

[vancouver]

10g is really too small for regular mollies.. I find they can be quite aggressive in small tanks like that.. balloon mollies should be cool, but the larger mollies can become aggressive in tanks of that size.