Will A 2nd Female Make My Molly Less Abusive?

[FunnyGuy]

In my 12 gal tank, My largish male sailfin molly chases the female often and even nips her occasionally- which does not make for a relaxing tank to watch! they have frequent races with him chasing her around the tank a few times till she can duck away. everyone says to have multiple females. will that lessen his agression, or just give her a rest half the time? I've got about 13, not real tall, stalks of ambulia and hope that's enough to provide refuge for the expected babies. the male is about 25% larger than the female. to protect her, I'd prefer getting another half dozen ambulia and mounding up the gravel to lift them to the top of the tank where they usually seem to race around in hopes of giving her more cover, but i suspect that wouldn't work.. 2nd choice would be to swap him for a smaller male or just return him, but i think the female is just fertilized for one brood, so i'd need another male in a few weeks. thanks. cool site.

 

[WILDER]

Usually 3 females to one male to help the females have a rest from the male.

 

[Annastasia]

Yes, with Sailfins you need at least 2 males per male, preferably 3. Sailfins are pretty aggresive towards their girls. I'd definitely get another one, your current female is probably pretty stressed out which can lead to her have birthing difficulties, or even aborting the babies. Another one or two will give her some rest.

The plants you have should be okay for protecting the babies, however I wouldn't count on a ton living. Mollies can be big fry-eaters.

Oh yes, and females can have up to 7 pregnancies with just one mating from a male, so no, she's not fertilized for just a short time.

What size tank are they in?

 

[Monte20]

yup. the more females, the more the males aggressiveness will be spread out. making the toll less for each female. i use 1 male per 3 females.

 

[FunnyGuy]

Thanks, I'm going to return the male. If I don't I'm going to end up jumping in the tank and nipping HIM! B) . Eventually I'll pick a livebearer that's more peaceful, like a platy.

Or maybe I'll take a chance on regular black mollies, altho they're a bit hard to keep disease free. I've got an eclipse tank with the biowheel, so the water quality should be very stable, and maybe I'd be okay with the black mollies. a multigenerational tank of blacks is very attractive to me. Of course a bit of salt and a highish PH helps.

 

[paulthegreat]

I have five females to one male Swordie right now and he is as mellow as can be. I had two males but one died and I have not gotten around to replacing him yet. I just have not found the right one to buy yet.