Freshwater Mollies in my Saltwater tank

[BankerJohn]

HOORAY! There is truth to the myth of Dalmation Mollies eating Hair Algae.

Today, I came home from work to find pieces of Hair Algae floating in the water column. I sat back in the recliner to watch the molly. Sure enough, he/she is picking away at the stuff.

At this point, I am sure that there is nipping. I am not sure that he is eating it or just pulling threads and letting them drift away.

More observations to follow during the next several days... I am SO EXCITED about this!!!!

 

[Joshjohnson]

Thats the way they started in my tank from day one, just picking and then the went wild for the stuff. they are great little algae eaters. Mine now have become very freindly with me, actually swimming up to my hand every time i stick it in the tank. You can't go wrong at a $1.29 each.

 

[Acolin]

The acclimation period is the key, don’t know if 4 or 6 hours is enough, but I do know that it has to be slow, think I will give it a try; appeals to the cheap and colorful side of me!

 

[Gimplar]

yeah, i acclimated from 4pm til about 2am... very very slow trickle and even then the salinity was at 1.024 by the time i just added them in. My mollies didnt seem like they were stressed at all from it. They just crapped alot

 

[BankerJohn]

A healthy report from the Dalmation Mollie Test Tank. Today, I returned home from work to find that an estimated 20% reduction in Hair Algae ( I had too much!! )

I am happy with my purchase. Even at almost $8 for all 4 fish and only ending up with one mollie.

 

[Joshjohnson]

You just can't beat that for a cheap clean up crew, so to speak. But i must say that it may be a temp relief from hair algae but we still must find the root cause of it, to much (what ever in the tank) to ensure that it does not come back.

But it is fun to experiment with different option as long as we don't harm critters.

 

[BlitzK]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8646162#post8646162 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Joshjohnson
You can't go wrong at a $1.29 each.

ok so where is everyone getting them at 1.29? not that $3-4 is expensive, but its what I've seen by me... (petsmart)

 

[Joshjohnson]

Sorry i made a mistake my wife just informed me that we paid 2.89 a piece for them but still that is cheaper than any other fish you can buy for saltwater aquarium. Also i have to admit they are fun to watch in the tank

 

[tonysdiscus]

mollies go from freshwater to saltwater 2 times a day in the florida creeks.so they will do find in the saltwater. i have had mind for a year now,and so far so good.
-tony

 

[BlitzK]

I just paid $3.19 for mine... I feel so ripped off! (yes, I'm being sarcastic)

I'll report back on how they do in my 37gal.

 

[BlitzK]

I spent all day dripping them... put them in the tank and within 10 mins they wanted to check out what this anemone thing was all about.

It promptly ate them...

 

[Brazengrrl]

ouch

 

[plyle02]

Josh,
I decided to try the mollies, and so far, they seem to be picking at the nuisance algae in my fuge. I will give you an update, but they seem to be picking at the red slime. If this works, this thread deserves alot more attention than it already has gotten...lol. BTW, I did not acclimate, just threw them right in, no problems, and you won't believe this, I already have offspring, from what I see, 2 baby minnows. Simply unbelievable. These things have nothing to threaten them in my fuge, so I may have some free mollies soon.....Anyone.....

 

[plyle02]

Alright,
Another update on these mollies....They are eating the red-slime right off my caulerpa prolifera, but not eating the macro itself. My refugium issue is clearing up right in front of my eyes, and I can't believe it.....

 

[Joshjohnson]

They are great, i think now i will always keep one or two of them in my tank to help keep it clean. the great thing about having a fuge is that you move them to the display tank to help clear out any algae and them move them back to the fuge.

What kind of mollies did you get?

 

[Joshjohnson]

Perry,
you got to get some pics up of them, i wish i had taken before and after photos to post.

 

[Brazengrrl]

I was told that only the black Mollies will adjust to full time saltwater living, any imput on that?

 

[plyle02]

Brazegrrl,
I am not sure about any specific species, I just got my dalmations 2 days ago, and they are doing fine, already have baby's....Josh has hdad them since the start of this thread, and tells me they are thriving, btw, he also has dalmations....
Perry

 

[Ah64av8tor]

I have had a black male and a female dalmation for almost a month now, both are doing fine.

 

[kentrob11]

I picked up a pair of these and a pair of Dalmations today. One of the Dalmations started eating about an hour after getting it in the tank and the others are just hanging out in different areas of the tank....I think the orange look pretty good for fresh water fish- Kinda like an Anthias. Hopefully they make it and start eating!