marcie31401

When I first started my freshwater tank, the black mollies were probably my least favorite. They seemed a little on the shy side. After a few days they became quite active! Now after having my tank for well over a month, I have a total of 16 fish and my 2 mollies pretty much keep my attention all the time. They are incredibly friendly, as is my betta (yes...I have a sweet betta amongst the 16!)

I'd also like to add that I've been told over and over that I should not have a betta in with other fish, but you can make it work with the right betta! He absolutely NEVER acts aggressively toward any other fish. I never thought I could become so attached to fish! My poor dogs don't get as much attention as before!

Lucy

Hi marcie, I'm so glad you're excited about fish keeping. It's a great hobby and it's easy to become attached to your fish.

Your tank is 5 days old? Do you have a test kit? I see you don't know about the nitrogen cycle, here's a basic explanation of it:

First your ammonia (from fish waste and left over food) will rise.
In a few weeks you'll see the nitrite levels rise and the ammonia levels start to drop.
After a few more weeks you'll see the nitrate levels rise and the nitrite levels drop.
Ammonia and nitrites are toxic to your fish.
So until your cycle is complete, you need to keep the levels down with daily water changes
When you having readings of 0 on both ammonia and nitrites with some nitrates showing, your cycle is done.

This link will explain more about it:
http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

Prime is a good water conditioner to use when cycling with fish. It detoxifies the ammonia for 24hrs between water changes while still making it available for the beneficial bacteria.


Since you've been forewarned about the betta being in a community tank. The only thing I will say is please have an alternative plan. Things can go bad quickly. It's not only the bettas temperament you should be concerned with, it's the other fish going after the betta.
This is especially since your tank is overstocked.

Good luck and post some pics soon.

pinkfloydpuffer

Lucy gave you some solid advice there.

I used to have some mollies, and they were beautiful fish, especially my silver one.

Good luck with your fish!

marcie31401

Actually, I have had my tank for over a month now, and I don't have all the same fish that I started with. I will have a 55 gallon tank soon, so they will definitely have lots of space then! When I started this over a month ago, I had not done any research so I was pretty clueless about cycling and such. I will certainly do things right with the larger tank. Thanks so much for the advice!

Lucy

Most of us started out that way. Buy tank, add water and fish, oops!

Keep a close eye on your water parameters with that many fish, even in a cycled tank, not only can the ammonia creep up before you know it, the nitrates can get too high. In small amounts nitrates won't cause a problem, but if the readings start getting over 20, you may have to do water changes more often until you get the 55g.

You might want to update your aqaurium info, it's one of the first thing people look at.

No pics??

marcie31401

Good idea. I haven't really thought about posting pics, but I will soon!

Lucy

Oh, it's almost a requirement at Fish Lore. lol

Can't wait to see them.

heartsongsinger

I've had 3 betta's in community tanks. Two were fine the other my have had his fins nipped.

molliemom3

I have 3 mollies, and I think its so cute that they have different personalities, my black girl lisa is the dominate one and she is also the first to come over and see you, my lil boy chester is real shy if you come close he hids behind the whisper filter, and then you have mia my only dalmation who always sticks to lisa's side (whom i think is early pregnant because her stomache is low) she is such a doll.

Just wanted to share about my fishies, I know you are enjoying yours.

Shadow Sichlid

I just wanted to know, because my little brother wants a betta in his tank, would a betta leave my 3 swordtails and 2 mollys and 1 molly fry alone? he wants to get a betta fish and i havent dealt with them before.

Lucy

Bettas are not community fish and normally do best when kept alone in at least a heated, filtered5g tank. Some members have them in 2.5g heated, filtered tank and they do well.

They will sometime tolerate corys, ottos and sometimes snails.

marcie31401

I have a male betta in my tank, and he has never been aggressive toward any of my fish. He actually seems quite content and loves to explore the tank. I'm sure it would depend on the nature of your betta. I will say that mine tends to want lots of human attention, but my friend's betta always hides when you walk into the room (she keeps him in a vase in a dark bathroom)