Guppies and Mollies: Males versus Females and How to Stock

HI all...........I am brand new to this hobby (although I've researched obsessively) and I have a question, probably a dumb question to many here.

I have a 50 gallon tank. I let it cycle for over a month before my first fish purchase to ensure the conditions were just right. I brought home 2 male guppies (love guppies) and 8 neon tetras (now 6 tetras............one just disappeared after 2 weeks and another went "belly up" weekend before last). I've had the guppies and tetras for a little over a month now. Since the addition of the fish, I perform weekly water changes, about 10-20 %.

I've had to "fight off" my husband and 11 year old daughter wanting to gratuitously add more fish. My husband actually thought we could just bring home fish the day I purchased the tank. I intend to establish a transitional tank (or quarantine tank) for new fish. I have not yet done this. Well, this past Saturday I came home to find a "fish bag" floating in my tank. They had purchased 2 dalamation mollies and a banjo catfish (from Petsmart or Petco, I got my other fish from a reputable local fish store). So, after acclimating the fish bag to the tank water, in they went. btw......my reaction guarantees that they will not be bringing home any more fish without approval.

I've determined that I have 1 female and 1 male molly. The male molly is a bit aggressive, especially around feeding time. The guppies seem to chase him off, but I worry about the female molly. The male seems to spontaneously chase her frequently.

My question/s: What would you recommend I stock in the future with the fish I have, male versus female. I'm not sure how to handle the whole breeding thing, which I know I should have considered before bringing home guppies. Perhaps no more guppies? And, do I need to worry about stress on the female molly?

 

Usually with livebearers, the desired ratio is one male for every two or three females. This spreads out the male's...ahem...attentions...so one female doesn't get constantly badgered by the male.

Mollies have quite a large bioload, so that's something to take into consideration, if you're wanting more fish.

Also, guppies and mollies can interbreed, producing "muppies."

 

Yikes, I have 3 males to one female. The female molly doesn't get badgered by the male guppies........they actually seemed to be more into themselves. Because of their little swimming ritual, my daughter thinks they are in love.

So, if I do not go the Guppy route, what are some recommendations for future fish that are compatible with what I already have?

btw...........I really didn't anticipate having to deal with baby fish. Guess I need to educate myself on that.

 

Pretty much anything peaceful and tropical would work. Just make sure that if you go with a schooling fish, get at least six so that they won't chase and annoy the other fish in the tank.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. Yeah, I not sure about this male molly. The female hangs out peacefully with the guppies, but the male molly chases her off when she tries to come near him. He also acts weird during feeding time. It's like he can't locate the food to eat. The other fish eat it up and then he gets aggressive, chases and nips them.

 

Hmmmm...I wonder if he possibly has some vision issues. That doesn't sound normal at all. I had a tank with just mollies in it and the males were pretty peaceful unless they wanted to breed. Then, they didn't get aggressive, they just got annoying. lol

 

Yeah, I wondered about vision issues as well. I try to drop a piece of food right in front of him, so he can get it before the other fish do.

He does, however, seem to notice me when I look in the tank at him. I don't know.........I just want happy fish. I still have a lot to learn. I have to say, this site as been the best resource for me. Better than the books I've read or the help I've gotten at my LFS.

 

I have heard that the banjo catfish will attack fry at night time so you might be having a little bit of natural selection in the tank