[Dveha]

I recently got a 20 gallon tropical freshwater (I heard they like brackish water though so there's some aquarium salt in there) fish tank and after waiting on my cycling and such, I now have 6 fish (2 mollies, 3 platys, 1 guppy) establishing themselves.

I don't want any fry because my tank can't support a growing fish community, so I purchased all male fish. If in the future, I want to introduce a female into my tank, will I have to get more than one so that she doesn't get overwhelmed by the males?

I've purchased everything I need to clean my tank...but how soon after my fish have been introduced to the tank should I do my first cleaning (not including a water change)? There is no visible algae yet but I don't want my fishies swimming in a gunky tank either.

 

[Sakura8]

Hi Dveha and welcome to the forum.

Yes, you will need to get multiple females. The best ratio is 2 females for every male, otherwise the males will really harass the females. Once your tank is established, you can safely get the needed amount of females. Just add them a few at a time. Like, get 4 molly females and add them. Make sure the tank isn't experiencing an ammonia spike. Wait a few days and then add 2 guppy females, etc.

 

[Pearl2011]

The ratio is 2 females for every male so they don't get harassed and stressed. If there is any algae I would just clean it out when you do the water change. I (personally) have found it easier to just wipe the sides with a paper towel to get the algae off.

And, correct me if I'm wrong, don't guppies need at least three to be happy??

 

[Dveha]

The ratio is 2 females for every male so they don't get harassed and stressed. If there is any algae I would just clean it out when you do the water change. I (personally) have found it easier to just wipe the sides with a paper towel to get the algae off.

And, correct me if I'm wrong, don't guppies need at least three to be happy??

Originally, I had another guppies but he died. I turned down my bubbler because he might not have been a good enough swimmer or the stress of the new tank was too much. All my water tests came back fine.

I've never kept fish before.

What do I do if I get all those lady fish and they have more babies than I can keep in my tank?

 

[ameliarose82]

Now that our tanks are cycled, we try to do about a 10% water change every week with vacuuming. We clean the sides off if there's algae before vacuuming with the aquarium sponge we bought at petsmart. Platys and mollies produce a lot of waste so you will need to do some vacuuming.

I'm not sure if your 20g can handle many more platys or mollies, since all of your fish are top swimmers. If you get females too and have babies your tank will be overcrowded fast, but some local fish stores will buy from local breeders, you would have to check.

 

[Dveha]

Now that our tanks are cycled, we try to do about a 10% water change every week with vacuuming. We clean the sides off if there's algae before vacuuming with the aquarium sponge we bought at petsmart. Platys and mollies produce a lot of waste so you will need to do some vacuuming.

I'm not sure if your 20g can handle many more platys or mollies, since all of your fish are top swimmers. If you get females too and have babies your tank will be overcrowded fast, but some local fish stores will buy from local breeders, you would have to check.

I clean and vaccum the tank to keep them happy. I don't want any fry but I'm starting to suspect that 1 or 2 of my platys is actually a FEmale...they appear to be much more triangular genital finned than originally suspected.

 

[spreadtoothinly]

Even if you do have a female, with males. The majority of the fry will be eaten by the parents.
Something to keep in mind.

 

[Dveha]

Even if you do have a female, with males. The majority of the fry will be eaten by the parents.
Something to keep in mind.

I guess I'll know for sure if I see babies start popping out of one of the supposedly "male" fishies.