If you’re an aquarist looking for companions for your molly fish, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll reveal the answers to one of the most asked questions in the fish-keeping world: what fish can live with mollies? We’ll explore the best tankmates for mollies, taking into account their temperament, size, and water requirements, as well as giving you some tips to ensure a successful, harmonious community tank. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What Fish Can Live With Mollies?
When it comes to housing mollies in an aquarium, there are many species of fish that they can live with harmoniously.
It is important, however, to choose fish that enjoy the same water conditions as mollies, such as temperature, pH, and hardness.
Mollies are peaceful fish, so they do best when paired with other peaceful species that are the same size or smaller, such as platies, swordtails, guppies, angelfish, neon tetras, corydoras catfish, and zebra danios.
When selecting tankmates, it is important to consider the water requirements, size, and temperament of the fish.
Large tanks are ideal, as they provide more space and water volume for the fish to swim.
Additionally, it is best to avoid overcrowding the tank, as this can cause stress and lead to aggressive behavior.
By carefully selecting the right tankmates and providing a suitable environment, you can ensure that you create a happy and healthy home for all the inhabitants of your tank.
How Many Mollies Should Be Kept Together?
When it comes to keeping mollies together, the size of your aquarium and the number of mollies you plan to keep should be taken into consideration.
Generally, the bigger the tank, the more mollies it can accommodate.
As a rule of thumb, 10 gallons is the recommended tank size for every two mollies.
If your tank is small, it is advised to keep no more than two mollies in it.
It is also essential to pay attention to the ratio of male to female mollies.
Generally, it’s best to keep two females to one male molly to reduce any aggression or bullying between them.
Additionally, the type of mollies you are keeping should also be considered.
Some species, such as the Sailfin molly, require more space and may need to be kept alone or with just one other fish.
In conclusion, the number of mollies you keep depends on the size of the tank, the ratio of males to females, and the species of the mollies.
To ensure that your mollies stay safe and healthy, it is recommended to keep no more than two mollies in a tank, with a ratio of two females to one male molly.
If you have a larger tank and plan to keep more than two mollies, make sure to research the type of mollies you plan to keep and ensure that the tank is large enough to accommodate them.
How Many Mollies In A 20 Gallon Tank?
When it comes to stocking a tank with mollies, the number of fish will vary depending on the size of the tank, the size of the mollies, and the other inhabitants.
Generally, it is suggested that you have one inch of fish per gallon of water, so for a 20 gallon tank, you should aim for 20 inches of fish.
Mollies tend to be larger than most other fish, so for a 20 gallon tank, it is best to keep no more than 10 mollies.
If you plan to add other types of fish, like guppies, you should adjust the number of mollies accordingly, going with only 6 to 7.
It is also important to consider the age of the mollies.
If they are young, you should stock fewer of them in the tank.
Overall, the exact number of mollies that should be kept in a 20 gallon tank can’t be determined.
However, as a general rule of thumb, it is recommended that you do not stock more than 10 mollies in a 20 gallon tank.
Additionally, take into account the other fish in the tank and the age of the mollies when deciding the number of mollies to stock.
Are Mollies Schooling Fish?
Mollies are a type of schooling fish, preferring to live in groups. This behavior is seen in many species of fish, especially those that inhabit open water. Living in a group has various advantages: it helps them to stay safe from predators and to find food more easily. Additionally, when fish school together, they create an environment that is more conducive to breeding.
When mollies school together, they form a loose circle or line, known as a shoal.
This is done by swimming in the same direction and at the same speed, enabling them to stay close together and to share information about the environment.
Schooling is of critical importance for mollies, as it helps them to survive in the wild.
It is also important for breeders and aquarium hobbyists, as it can create a more enjoyable environment for the fish.
Therefore, it is important to provide mollies with the right environment to encourage them to school.
This means providing them with plenty of open space, as well as hiding places for refuge.
Additionally, it is important to maintain good water quality and to provide them with plenty of food.
By providing the right environment, mollies can form strong shoals, making them more comfortable and helping them to thrive in captivity.
What Cichlids Can Live With Mollies?
Cichlids and mollies can live together harmoniously in the same aquarium, as long as it is properly set up and the right fish are chosen.
Cichlids are a large, diverse family, with plenty of peaceful species, such as angel fish, discus, kribensis, and rams, that make good tankmates for mollies.
However, more aggressive species like jack Dempsey, oscars, and Texas cichlids should be avoided, as they may attack or bully the mollies.
When selecting cichlids to live with mollies, it is essential to ensure they are similar in size and temperament, to minimize aggression and competition.
Additionally, their water parameters should be taken into account; mollies prefer a slightly alkaline pH, while cichlids often prefer slightly acidic conditions.
If the water parameters are too different, it can cause stress to the fish and lead to health problems.
The tank should also be equipped with plenty of hiding spots and enough swimming space.
Cichlids are territorial and may become aggressive if they dont have enough space to call their own.
To provide a natural environment, add driftwood, rocks, and plants to the aquarium.
Finally, it is important to observe the behavior of the fish, to make sure no one is overly aggressive.
If needed, remove any fish that become too aggressive.
With the right setup and choices, it is possible for cichlids and mollies to coexist peacefully.
How Many Mollies In A 10 Gallon Tank?
The answer to how many mollies can be kept in a 10 gallon tank depends on several factors.
First, the species of mollies you want to keep should be researched, as some species require more space than others.
Second, the size of the mollies should be taken into consideration, as larger mollies will need more space than smaller ones.
Third, the level of filtration should be considered, as a well-filtered tank can safely handle more fish than one with poor filtration.
A 10 gallon tank with a strong filter can typically handle up to 10 mollies.
Lastly, the amount of decorations and plants in the tank should be considered, as these will provide hiding places and additional cover for the mollies, which can lead to overcrowding.
Therefore, the number of mollies that can be safely kept in a 10 gallon tank will depend on the species, size, filtration, and decorations.
It is essential to research and consider all of these factors before deciding on a stocking level.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it – the answer to the question: which fish can live with mollies? With the right tankmates, mollies can make a great addition to any community aquarium. Keeping the right size, temperament, and water requirements in mind is essential when choosing molly tankmates. Now that you have the answers, why not put your newfound knowledge to the test and start creating your perfect molly tank?