Molly or no molly

[MsBean]

My Evo 13.5 has been fallow for nearly 6 weeks at 80F/27.4C following an ich outbreak after an unquarantined blenny died. The usual residents - 2 occ clowns - have gone through treatment in a hospital tank.

Debating whether, when 6 weeks is up, I should bring in a black molly to confirm ich-free status of the DT (and then the clowns). This would mean keeping the molly (if all goes well) as a permanent resident in the DT alongside the 2 clowns over the longer term.

Pros: higher level of confidence ich eradication has worked, and the molly could become one more algae eater in my main tank. Could also use the molly alongside any QT fish in future. Mollies are reasonably cute (and cheap).

cons: may be too small a tank for a hardier, larger molly (eg sailfin). Chance of losing the molly during saltwater acclimation. Since the molly would become a permanent DT resident, limits the capacity to add any more fish (was considering a small blenny or goby eventually). Not sure how well it will get along with the clowns longer term. Extends the wait until the clowns can go back "home".

What would you do?

 

[Hoodstream]

Molly is a great test fish to use. I’ve always wanted to put one in the tank just for ’s and giggles lol.

 

[Chrisv.]

Just take it slowly when you acclimate the molly. Easy enough to do it over the course of a day or two with a slow dripping line of salt water being added to a 5g bucket with a heater and an air pump.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Just take it slowly when you acclimate the molly. Easy enough to do it over the course of a day or two with a slow dripping line of salt water being added to a 5g bucket with a heater and an air pump.

I'm taking the other side of this argument.

I have never once been successful with Slowly acclimating brackish water fish, to salt. Specifically with Molly's, Every single one that has been dropped straight into saltwater has lived without issue. Many did not fare well when attempting to bring them over slowly.

 

[Chrisv.]

I'm taking the other side of this argument.

I have never once been successful with Slowly acclimating brackish water fish, to salt. Specifically with Molly's, Every single one that has been dropped straight into saltwater has lived without issue. Many did not fare well when attempting to bring them over slowly.

Interesting. I have to admit, I've never tried just dumping one in. Cool to know for next time.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Interesting. I have to admit, I've never tried just dumping one in. Cool to know for next time.

Not that I give any value or stock to the input of the local PetSmart employee who doesn't own fish tanks themselves, But I've had this conversation with one of them, And they told me they've heard the same thing for multiple people. Best long-term success came from dump and pray.

 

[Chrisv.]

Not that I give any value or stock to the input of the local PetSmart employee who doesn't own fish tanks themselves, But I've had this conversation with one of them, And they told me they've heard the same thing for multiple people. Best long-term success came from dump and pray.

Lol now I want to go buy a molly.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Lol now I want to go buy a molly.

There is some inherent risk I've read. Apparently there are a few diseases communicable between fresh and salt fish it could bring in but can't specifically remember what was mentioned.

 

[Udest]

Id get a trio or mollies if that's the case that what im planning on doing soon since I'd like some more activity in my tank and algae control.

 

[theMeat]

Have successfully accomplished this a few times. It’s pretty cool to watch the mollies change. They get more active, and their scales sorta puff up/more detail. In the long run they won’t do well if you have other fish because they just can’t keep up/get enough food. YMMV

 

[vtecintegra]

That's funny. My mollies are the most aggressive feeders in the tank. As soon as I turn off the return for feeding, they head straight to the port hole in the screen and wait until I drop the food in. They eat more than any of my reef fish and look pretty fat.

Tip: Anytime getting more than one, get females. Males constantly harass and chase the females to mate.

But to answer the question, I probably wouldn't put one in a 13.5 if there are a pair of clowns. The clowns are likely to claim the entire tank. I wouldn't put any other fish in with them.

 

[i cant think]

I hate mollies, they breed like mad. I avoid them like the plague and stick to true saltwater fish. As said above, the clowns WILL rule the tank and kill most of not all other inhabitants that are fish so stick with just them and nothing else.

 

[Chrisv.]

What if OP uses the molly as a sentinel fish just to test that the fallow period worked and then pass it along to a friend with a frogfish (or similar)?

 

[i cant think]

What if OP uses the molly as a sentinel fish just to test that the fallow period worked and then pass it along to a friend with a frogfish (or similar)?

Also risky @lion king may be able to say why (I can’t remember why but I read it can be a risk to feed mollies to SW predators).

 

[Chrisv.]

Also risky @lion king may be able to say why (I can’t remember why but I read it can be a risk to feed mollies to SW predators).

Not sure if it's a vitamin b /thiaminase issue, but feeding one molly will not likely be a problem.

 

[lion king]

Since my name was mentioned. Mollies are the best live fish to feed preds, just so no one gets confused there, anyone reading this post can click my name and find info on caring and feeding predators. Also fresh water fish to my knowledge can not transfer any diseases, although mollies are true brackish fish, lfs's keep them in fresh water. In the wild they live and breed in as high as 1.017. Someone mentioned just dumping them in, yes they are easily adaptable to full salt water, I would not fret over a long acclimation. The best point is in that size tank unless you have plans to remove the molly after they have done their work, its not really a good idea

 

[Chrisv.]

Since my name was mentioned. Mollies are the best live fish to feed preds, just so no one gets confused there, anyone reading this post can click my name and find info on caring and feeding predators. Also fresh water fish to my knowledge can not transfer any diseases, although mollies are true brackish fish, lfs's keep them in fresh water. In the wild they live and breed in as high as 1.017. Someone mentioned just dumping them in, yes they are easily adaptable to full salt water, I would not fret over a long acclimation. The best point is in that size tank unless you have plans to remove the molly after they have done their work, its not really a good idea

Thanks for the clarification!

 

[MsBean]

Thanks everyone. I think I'm leaning toward no molly. I'm reasonably confident I will be ich free, and it's really only the clowns I need to worry about anyway since it's just a small tank. Thank you all for the food for thought.

 

[Spicoli]

I have some cycling my 310 right now and they are the healthiest most robust mollies I've ever seen. Certain types acclimate well. Sailfins (orange and white are the ones I've had almost 100% success with). They are breeding, which is not my goal but hey, free food, you just have to find them in your overflow and filter socks. I have grown kind of fond of the little buggers, and will let some of the 9 i have in my tank stay when i start stocking my fowler fish. Saltwater mollies are cool