Mollies Not Eating?

[janfow365]

Hi

I just set up a brackish water tank about 72 hours ago, and decided to purchase a couple of gold sailfin mollies to help "break in" and cycle the tank before getting more exotic fish (monos, scats, puffers, etc.).

I'm having the problem of them not eating... I have dropped some freeze dried brine shimp into the tank and they bolted. They seem very skittish (I purchased them 24 hours ago), and dart away at any sign of people looking at the tank (just myself and my significant other).

Several observations which might help you, help me:

- We are experiencing a heat wave here in my city, and the water temp has been at 30 C for the past couple of days. I've tried adding ice in a waterproof bag to lower the temperature of the tank, but no success. The heater is turned off. It is a 35 gallon tank.

- The mollies are 1 male and 1 female, and seem to be mating like crazy (even on the ride home!). Could this have something to do with it?

- They are the only fish in the tank, and otherwise both look quite happy.

- I have not yet done a nitrate test as the tank is a very fresh new setup (new filter pads, cleaned out tank, new sand, plastic plants, etc.)

Any ideas on what's going on or what to expect? Any idea on how to lower the temperature of the water, or what they guys will eat? (Or will they eat, being that they are mating...?).

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jan

 

[Ruben Tolon]

If you're cycling with the mollies they are probably not eating due to stress. Why not take the mollies back and go with some fishless cycling of the tank?

 

[janfow365]

I can't take the mollies back unless they die, which is unfortunate. The pet store I bought them from, that's their policy... any ideas on now to reduce the stress on them without taking them out of the tank?

 

[janfow365]

How do I cycle a tank without fish? I thought you needed the bacteria from the fish in order to cycle a tank properly...?

 

[Ruben Tolon]

Here is a very good article on cycling...

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwestcycling.htm

as for the mollies, they won't take them back even you give them back for free?

 

[Sir Pufferfish]

Ask the pet shop what they was feeding them before,
if they have only been fed on flakes since born, chances are they will only eat flakes till established,
if stressed make sure u fill the tank with plants or ornaments for them to hide or dim the lights.
also not all fish eat when introduced for a good 24-48 hours anyway.

Good luck