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Guppies vs. Mollies (Mollies 5pts, Guppies 0pts) :(

11K views 11 replies 4 participants last post by  crazy4fish 
#1 ·
I have five guppies (two males and three females) and three mollies (two males and a female). I haven't had my tank or my fish for long, but the mollies are just being MEAN to my guppies! I thought they got along well together! You can see tail damage on a few of my guppies now and its frustrating me.

Any experience with this? Do I need a tank divider?

Also, with the injured tails...they aren't THAT bad but it is noticeable. I am worried about infection or fin rot or any of that. I have melafix, aquarium salt, and stress coat. I dont put melafix in my water, but would that help if I took a guppy out and into a quarantine tank to help him heal? I'd hate to heal him/them and then just put them back in to be abused some more.

Betta tails don't grow back, do guppy tails grow back?

I realize this is a very loaded post. Thanks in advance for any help!
 
#2 ·
homegirl2180 said:
Betta tails don't grow back,
Who told you that? I've never heard of such thing. Their tails should grow back under excellent water conditions. Maintain good water quality and don't add anything on the water except dechlorinator. Keep everything simple. The tails should grow/heal.

What is the size of your tank? I'd prefer isolating the mollies to another tank.
 
#3 ·
I was misinformed. I have kept bettas for three years before trying a tropical community tank--this one is 46 gallons--and I never had to test that information because I couldn't dream of even risking my bettas tails or bothering them with nuisances. And I have always maintained good water quality regardless. Thanks for clearing that up. I had seen lots of pictures online of bettas with severely damaged finnage....*shudders*.
 
#4 ·
As for isolating the mollies, I have slightly exceeded my startup costs and am trying to replenish funds, purchasing another tank for them isnt an option in the immediate future, unfortunately.

My mom thinks that the mollies are just being "pesty" because they are the largest fish in the tank. I don't suppose she is on to something is she?

Right now, the only thing I have is a one gallon quarantine tank...hardly enough for three mollies. Though one male in particular is noticeably more aggressive.
 
#5 ·
Mollies can get aggressive if cramped for space. The only other choice is to return them to the lfs. I would prefer doing that than being stuck with aggressive mollies unless a large tank is set for them.:)

Bettas are prone to being fin-nipped so most often, we suggest keeping them by themselves or with tankmates that should not nip their fins.

Good luck.:)

Edit: Just read your other thread and the tank actually is a 46 gallons. If you have plenty of plants, give it a go to allow the guppies to hide.
 
#6 ·
I am trying! I have seven large plants along the back of my tank! That is the funniest part! The guppies aren't even afraid of getting nipped! They hardly even avoid the mollies. Silly guppies just don't know their places!

Do you think I need more plants than that? They are all artificial that the moment, I plan on eventually getting some real ones but I am still taking things one at a time. I have two Amazon Sword plants and the others are more dense and fuller.
 
#7 ·
More plants needed. Try the fast-growing ones such as Elodeas or hornwort.
 
#8 ·
Elodeas or hornworts, eh? Alrighty, well I just got paid...time to go spend some more money!!! haha.

I just have a regular florescent bulb, will the "fast growing" plants you mentioned grow in a "normal" tank?

I'll keep plushing up my tank then. Thanks alot!
 
#9 ·
homegirl2180 said:
Elodeas or hornworts, eh? Alrighty, well I just got paid...time to go spend some more money!!! haha.
Both plants aren't really expensive. They grow pretty quickly. Simply snip and plant the new cuttings. Hornworts do not grow roots so they are best left floating. Elodeas can be plant however and you'll see plenty of roots dangling even on the top part.
I just have a regular florescent bulb, will the "fast growing" plants you mentioned grow in a "normal" tank?
They should.
 
#10 ·
i think you definatly need more plants. maybe some caves or things like that so the guppies can get away from the mollies if they wanted. good luck i hope everything works out!!! :wink:
 
#11 ·
I would bring the mollies back to the store and exchange for more guppies. I loved to watch them since they were so pretty. The mollies will keep bullieng the guppies. Maybe you could even swich the mollies for some that are less aggressive but I don't think that's your answer.
 
#12 ·
try switching around the decor in the tank. i dont know why but this works pretty well sometimes. :wink:
 
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