Black Spots on Mollies

[howlincody]

Hello.

About a year ago, I bought a silver molly who gave birth to two young mollies and died during pregnancy. I still have the 2 young silver mollies (1 male, 1 female...now about 9-10 months old) in a 10g aquarium. About 3 or 4 months ago, I started to notice a black spot on one of the mollie's fins. These have since evolved into many black spots on both of the mollies.

I would provide a picture but they are almost impossible to photograph, especially with my digital camera. The spots are circular and some are more elongated. They are very distinct and the mollies have seemed healthy until recently, as the female has what appears to have a bit of her tail fin ripped off (i think this may be because of the male). People have suggested that the mollies may have some Dalmation breed in them but I have considered more sinister ideas. Could this worm larvae or black algae (this tank has green algae growing like crazy)?

 

[mollie]

Sometimes mollies don't start to show their "true" colours until they hit about 6 months old. The spots you speak of sound like those that dalmation mollies have. On the fin nipping, it is more than likely, as you suggested, the male. They are best kept with at least one male to every 2 females (although my preferance is 3 females). Either that or are there any other tank mates that could be the culprits?

 

[howlincody]

Yes, there may be. Right now, they are in a 10g brackish tank with 2 celebes rainbows, 1 american flagfish (aggressive), and a knight goby. This setup has been running for almost a year but, the fish are starting to grow up, so I'm considering moving the mollies and the rainbows. Should I?

The tank they would move to is a 30g tank with 2 Angelfish, 3 Honey Gouramis, and 6 Harlequin Rasboras. This tank originally started with only 1 tablespoon of salt per 5 gallons but I stopped adding it (I don't think the Angels like it). I could start adding a teaspoon per 5 gallons, though. The only other problem I see is that the pH in the 10g (thanks to instant ocean) is about 8.0 while the 30g is usually around 7.0 (it has c02 in it so it may go a little lower sometimes).

If I can add them here, can my 30g tank handle 1 more celebes and 1 more female molly?

Thanks ;-)