Overcrowded tank...

[MollyFan1]

I have four mollies in a 10-gallon tank of of which one of my mollies is sick. From what I've read here I know my tank is not big enough for 4 mollies. I had 2 male mollies (black and dalmation) at first but the dalmation molly was constantly bullying the black molly. I went to Petsmart where I originally got the first two mollies and was planning on returning the male dalmation molly but the guy (an older guy who looked very wise) let me know that adding two more fish would keep the steam off the dalmation molly onto the black molly. I ended up getting another black molly and a silver molly. The man at Petsmart said 4 mollies in a 10-gallon tank is perfectly fine but now I know that keeping 3-4 mollies is not appropriate for a 10-gallon.

My question is would it be alright to keep my 4 mollies in this 10-gallon tank for a few months while I have enough to upgrade for a bigger tank? Also what tank size would be appropriate for 4 mollies?

Thanks!

 

[jm1212]

it would be fine for a while, and christmas is only in a month (a chance for a new tank!)

at least a 20 gallon is adequate, but bigger is always better

 

[bristlenosekarl]

Instead of getting a tank that's big enough of 4 mollies, why not try and buy a tank where you can put more fish in, not just 4. Go for a 30G tank or something to that size! The more space the fish have to swim the happier the fish (well from my limited fish keeping experience I think so).

Guess the exception would be betas. Anyway that's what I think you should do.

 

[MollyFan1]

Yes I do want to get other types of fish that can mix well with mollies. I'm hoping in the next two months or so I will have a bigger tank set up. I can use my ten gallon for quarantine or a betta.

I sure got into an expensive hobby!

 

[saganco]

Mollyfan1, my 10g is only used for nursery/grow out (put in pg mollies and platties, then take mom back out to the 55g livebearer tank, along with an emergency hospital/quarantine tank. I digress... what I was going to tell you is that in my 55g tank, I have 5 grown mollies, several juvies, and more than several little ones, about 10 platties (grown) and bunches of fry almost ready to go back to the LFS (local fish store) which is 2 hours away one way. I also have 2 rainbow fish and 2 rainbow sharks (they are fine in a live bearer tank, but 2 is a bad number for these fish - either go one shark or 3 or more), 2 super cute burmese botia's and 2 gold algae eaters. There are many fish that you can put with your mollies, and if you're having little mollies, be sure to plant pretty heavily so they have some place to hide and NOT become a snack for another fish (or their parents). Good luck on getting a great tank for Christmas (be sure and check out craigslist - awesome deals there for sure from time to time!).

 

[dizzykylie]

Yes I do want to get other types of fish that can mix well with mollies. I'm hoping in the next two months or so I will have a bigger tank set up. I can use my ten gallon for quarantine or a betta.

I sure got into an expensive hobby!

Don't get a gourami! My gourami targets mollies...killed one, made the other so stressed out I think he has ich. Gets along well with everyone else but mollies. I would recommend some platys (I have some really nice looking green ones) or a loach or cory.

We all got into an expensive hobby! Tanks are like Lays...you can't have just one. I started out with a one gallon betta tank...which progressed to a 37G...and now i am getting a 10G for Christmas and planning a marine tank later next year. Good luck with your fishies!