The Tropical Tank

[jcardoso]

When I first purchased my 2 mollies, I asked for 2 males. From what I can tell from looking at the fins beneath them, they are indeed both males. They used to swim around together quite nicely, gracefully moving higher and lower in the tank, and the oreo colored one seemed to like to follow the white one but not chasing or bothering, just swimming together.

But now the white molly is hiding more, behind a plant or the filter or sticking to the back of the tank. This morning, he came out for feeding but didn't stay long. He ate and went back away from the other fish. My tank is a bit of a frenzy at feeding time.

I saw the other molly chase him a bit. Now he is moving around the tank VERY slowly. He isn't swimming as actively as he used to. If chased, he swims away and then finds a place to just hang out almost in place.

I have noticed that he appears bloated or fat below what I would call the neck area, for lack of the proper fish term. I really think it's a male but my husband thinks he looks pregnant. I'm wondering if he ate too much or is constipated. I did see him 'poop' today.

And my water levels are perfect 0 ammonia 0 nitrite and 5 nitrate.

Any ideas? This guy is so beautiful and I'd hate to see him sick! Thanks,
Janet
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Janet

4 Glofish Danios, 3 Zebra Danios, 1 Honey Sunset Gourami, 2 Platies, 1 Molly, and 5 Emerald Green Cory Catfish in a 29 gallon (110 litres) tank

[jcardoso]

The black molly is definitely chasing the white molly A LOT! And so the white one goes and hides are hangs out in the back of the tank.

From my little experience with fish-keeping, it seems that this happens when a fish is starting to become ill and the other fish suddenly starts picking on him when he didn't do so before. Like he knows he's sick? Am I way off here?

Please help! I'd like to know if there is anything I can do. I thought about moving him to my mother's tank where it is much quieter but I don't want to give him more trauma. And not sure how he'll get along with the Betta in her tank.

Janet
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Janet

4 Glofish Danios, 3 Zebra Danios, 1 Honey Sunset Gourami, 2 Platies, 1 Molly, and 5 Emerald Green Cory Catfish in a 29 gallon (110 litres) tank

[Carylnz]

Sometimes, especially in livebearers, it is a case of the dominant male chasing away the rival. With only 2 male mollies there is nobody else for the dominant fish to pick on. The other one is just trying to stay inconspicuous and out of his way.
Some suggestions;
1. Return one of the mollies (perhaps swap it for another species)
2. Add another male or two
3. Add a female
Livebearers, when you have both sexes, need a ratio of at least 1 male to 2 or 3 females.
If you saw the fish pop then he is unlikley to be constiptaed but may be severely stressed out.
Are there plenty of plants and places where he can hide safely from the other male?
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My home forum is The NZ Fishroom http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/index.php

[jcardoso]

Thanks for the reply! I'm not sure what to do so I've asked more questions within your responses. My questions are capitalized...

1. Return one of the mollies - AREN'T MOLLIES HAPPIER IN GROUPS? WOULD ONE BE OKAY ALONE? I COULD PUT THE LESS DOMINANT ONE IN MY MOTHER'S TANK BUT IT'S A VERY MELLOW TANK WITH A BETTA! WOULD THEY GET ALONG?
2. Add another male or two - THIS MIGHT BE A POSSIBILITY EXCEPT THAT MY TANK IS GETTING PRETTY FULL. HOW MUCH OF A CHANCE OF THIS HELPING? WOULD ONE MORE HELP? OR WOULD I NEED MORE THAN THAT?
3. Add a female - I DON'T WANT LOADS OF BABIES!
Are there plenty of plants and places where he can hide safely from the other male? - YES, HE HAS PLACES TO HIDE. I HAVE FAKE AND REAL PLANTS, TALL AND SHORT, AND ROCKS AND A CAVE.

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Janet

4 Glofish Danios, 3 Zebra Danios, 1 Honey Sunset Gourami, 2 Platies, 1 Molly, and 5 Emerald Green Cory Catfish in a 29 gallon (110 litres) tank

[Apistogramma]

As your tank is fully stocked and you haven't the space for more males or the desire for loads of fry (which you would have if you added a couple of females) it's probably better to stick with the one male and return the other. Whichever one you keep will be quite happy ruling his bit of the tank as the only male as opposed to one bullying the other male into submission until it's so stressed it ends up really sick or indeed dead.
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Becky

*Aimlessly drives around in the steam roller with Karena's now fairly blunt scissors...and Lisa's hedge trimmer*

[Carylnz]

Not sure I would add him to a mellow tank as he might start chasing the betta. The other one will be fine on its own.
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My home forum is The NZ Fishroom http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/index.php

[jcardoso]

Thank you all but the white molly died tonight. I definitely think there was something wrong with him before he was bullied.

I had already gone out and purchased one more male (to help prevent harassment) before I read your latest most excellent advice. And then I got home and about an hour later the white one was just suddenly laying on his side at the bottom of the tank.

So now I'm back to having 2 males. I will watch for any bullying. If it starts again, the shop told me they'd be happy to take my bully. Although he's really one of my favorite fish so the new male might have to go back!

I'm quite sad...the white molly was a truly beautiful fish!

As always...thank you for all the time you put into answering questions!
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Janet

4 Glofish Danios, 3 Zebra Danios, 1 Honey Sunset Gourami, 2 Platies, 1 Molly, and 5 Emerald Green Cory Catfish in a 29 gallon (110 litres) tank

[Apistogramma]

Sorry to hear that Janet. Sometimes there's just nothing you can do to help.
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Becky

*Aimlessly drives around in the steam roller with Karena's now fairly blunt scissors...and Lisa's hedge trimmer*

[jcardoso]

Thanks Becky!!
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Janet

4 Glofish Danios, 3 Zebra Danios, 1 Honey Sunset Gourami, 2 Platies, 1 Molly, and 5 Emerald Green Cory Catfish in a 29 gallon (110 litres) tank

[colier23]

it sounds like your molly probably had dropsy have had a few fish succumb to this myself and they often would hide behind the filter or heater. Not much you can do for dropsy though so chances are you wouldnt have been able to help it anyway, sorry
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Its all good fun until someone loses an eye!