New tank and ....pregnant Molly

[Doorman352]

I was trying to get my new 20 gallon tank cycled and ready as I was handed a bag of fish, (2) swordtails [M/F], 1 pleco, and (2) Black Mollies [M/F]:duh:. The female molly is pregnant, and I have no idea **HOW** pregnant she is.:eeek:

The tank was a christmas present for my kids, and they bought fish before it had cycled fully. I am concerned that the molly may give birth before the tank is completed. Should I really be worried or just let nature decide the outcome?

The tank has an undergravel filter with bubble tubes and a power head, as well as a whisper power filter. Heater and plastic stuff also.

Water tests show tank has barely begun to cycle and levels are still near 0.

PH - 7.4
Cl2 - 0
NH - 0
NO - 0
GH - 196
KH - 196

I know live cycling is not favored here, but I would like to try and minimize the harm already done.:rolleyes:

I don't have other tanks to work with, but do have an isolation net to float in the main tank.

[tricksterpup]

Ok,
this one reason why fish should never be given as a present.
The best thing you can do is just now wait things out and lets see how things progress.
The fish are usually bought after the tank has had time to cycle. But now they are in their home, just keep an eye on them and see how they are doing. Now many people will tell you, that you will need salt for your tank because of the mollies. This is just a myth, the mollies are raised in fresh water and do not need the salt. Read the Great Molly Debate (http://tcoletti.tripod.com/molly_salt_debate.html) by Dr. Ted Coletti of the American Livebearer Association and of FAMA magazine. They actually prefer harder water along with the sword tails. These guys will be fine, I wouldn't add any more fish to your tank, your sword tails and mollies will do that for you. But they actually prefer lots of room to swim around in, so i wouldnt purchase any more fish. Unless you trade in your pleco who will out grow that tank. A great bottom feeder that goes well with live bearers are cory cats. These guys are alot of fun to watch around and swim, but I would wait until the tank is fully cycled before adding them to a tank. In my live bearer tanks, I have usually kept cories and amano shrimp along the display fish.
A great website to visit is
http://tcoletti.tripod.com/thelivebearer.html

[zin]

I would definitly get rid of the pleco, he will be the main producer of waste and the reason of most problems. he will eventually(quickly) outgrow a 20gallon tank.

After the tank cycles with the swords and mollies(2-3 weeks) you could maybe get some otos for algea control. And cories for bottem feeder.

As for the pregnant molly, a few days before she gives birth she will become very large and almost squared off in the stomach area.

[Doorman352]

I have read LOTS on these fish species and "Think" (famous last words) I've got everything I'm going to have to have for them to be healthy and happy. Just worried about the stress of the "cycle" and the pregnancy. Water is Alkaline and Hard, so I lucked out in that arena. I read about a product called Bio-Spira but couldn't find it at any of my local stores today. Any other suggestions that might help the cycle process for the tank inhabitants?

I understand plecos can get large, but wouldn't their size be more dependent on their environment? Or am I just gonna end up with a monster. How does one "replace" a purchased pleco?

How many corys should I consider to replace the pleco in a 20 Gallon tank?

[vaheelsfan]

The bio spira works, if you can find it. I have recently used it on two tanks and had no problems. However, I'm not sure if it will work or not once you've already started an aquarium. Go to Marineland's website, or just do a search for Bio Spira and you should be able to find out what you'd need to know. If you can't find it at a store in your area, you might be able to find some place on the internet that sells it. Just make sure that it is shipped with something that will keep it cool, as refrigeration is needed until use. As for the pleco and the size of it's environment, it will live, but probably not well. The fact that it will make a lot of waste should be a good reason to get rid of it. If you call all of the pet stores in your area, you should be able to find one that will take it back, for some credit at that store if nothing else. For your aquarium, I'd say that 3-5 cories would work. Five might be too many depending on what else you want to put in, but cories like to be around other cories, so I'd get at least three. They'll be a lot more active than the pleco anyway.

[tricksterpup]

Originally posted by Doorman352
I understand plecos can get large, but wouldn't their size be more dependent on their environment? Or am I just gonna end up with a monster. How does one "replace" a purchased pleco?

I would probably get about 3-4 cories and they would do fine in your tank. Plus I believe your children would enjoy watching the cories dance along the bottom looking for food.
Another reason why I would shy away from a pleco it may compete for alage that the mollies and swordtails would eat. They will out grow a tank of this size. The entire fish will be stunted to the size of the tank is a myth; they will grow. I have seen alot of Plecos out grow a tank of that size and then being dropped off at my LFS.
As for the cycling goes, the fish should be ok, just keep an eye on the parameters and the fish. Once the tank has been cycled fully, do weekly water changes. Live bearers prefer good clean water and will repay you with this kindness with lots of healthy babies. Which your kids will enjoy watching. :)
jim