DaveH

I would like to add a molly to my tank, however i have 3 cory catfish. It says that mollies like aquarium salt and that cory cats can't stand it. Can mollies live and be healthy without aquarium salt?

♥ashley♥

they might live for a while idk. personaly if it was me I woudn't get the molly. sure they're pretty but now when there dieing because you made the wrong choice.

Cody

yes they can live happily with out salt

susitna-flower

Hi DaveH, WELCOME to FISHLORE!

You can have mollys in a community tank without salt. They live just fine that way. They are one of the only tropical fish that CAN live in brackish water, but they don't need it. To keep them healthy it is much the same as most fish, don't allow your tank to become overcrowded, only put fish in a completly cycled tank, and do water changes as needed to keep your nitrate down to between 5-10. Ick can be dealt with by raising the temp. to 82+, and this is the main reason people think salt is helpful, it does help control ick, but is also hard on most fish. I don't recommend using it.

How long has your tank been up and running? Is it completely cycled? What size tank do you have?

If you are a complete beginner, or if it has been years since you had fish, read all the articles at the top of this page, about setting up a tank, and especially the nitrogen cycle. Good Luck, and post often, we love to hear (and see pictures) of your tank.

0morrokh

How big is the tank? Is it cycled? Fyi mollies should be kept in groups. They are perfectly healthy without salt. Most breeders don't even use salt any more.

EDIT: heh, I see we responded at the same time. Great minds think alike, right?

DaveH

I have a 20gal tank. Fully cycled over the past 2 months.

I now have: (all fish are much smaller than their projected adult size)

2 tiger barbs
2 albino barbs
2 green barbs
1 panda cory cat
1 spotted cory cat
1 albino cory cat
1 pleco
1 rainbow shark

i will upload photos soon, thank you for your help.

susitna-flower

When setting up a tank it is a natural thing to want to see it "full", but I don't recommend buying more fish to do this. It is much healthier on your tank to let the little fish be little till they grow up and fill the tank. If you think it is bare, use decorations, driftwood, or plants. Unfortunately the rule of thumb, is 1" of ADULT size per gallon of tank. We say this because:
#1 everyone knows the inclination is to buy many little fish thinking they aren't the same as big fish, but they grow faster than most can buy new tanks to put them, or they grow and foul the tank and die....
#2 IF you crowd a tank it will stunt the fish, which really is more cruel than just keeping a fish a smaller size. It is like when the Chinese bound feet! It may fit your needs, but a fish that is "stunted", grow their insides until they are unhealthily crowded, the outside doesn't grow to full potential to give enough room and your fish will never be as healthy as they could be.
It is also very stressful on fish to subject them to an overcrowded condition. The stress is what causes 9/10s of other opportunistic conditions to occur, ie., increased parasites, fungal and bacterial outbreaks.

0morrokh

Unfortunately the tank is already overstocked.

6 barbs x 3" = 18"
3 cories x (not knowing species, I'll estimate 2") = 6"
rainbow shark = 6"
TOTAL = 30" not including the pleco

According to general guidelines, your tank shouldn't have more than 20" of fish. Definately don't add any more fish.

What kind of pleco do you have? If it is a common pleco...they get anywhere from 12-18" or more - needless to say they need a Way bigger tank. Other pleco species are down in the 4-6" range, which would be ok in a 20gal except for the fact that your tank is overstocked already. Post a pic if you need help id'ing the pleco.

Looks like a perfect excuse to upgrade, or get a second tank.