how do I make molleys/guppys saltwater?

[jsl6v8]

I have a black ribbon eel that currently eats frozen silversides and krill and I plan on getting some glass/grass shrimp and some raw squid for the beast. I have heard of people using saltwater molleys/guppys unfortunately last I knew molleys were freshwater as well as guppys so I need your knowledge on how to make them saltwater I imagine its something simple like a 4 day drip acclimation . Also any other suggestions on what I should be feeding him or other kinds of fish that are good are welcome (almost tempted to give him 1 of my little damsels... for christmas).

 

[saltycreefer]

I would keep the mollies in FW or Brackish until you're ready to feed them to the eel. I've throw mollies in as feeders without acclimating them at all and they dont shock out. In fact they didn't seem phased at all and swam around fine until eaten, even if it took a few days.

 

[staticx]

Your eel will eat anything that moves if he is hungry. As far as the mollies go no reason to aclimate them really toss them in the tank and your eel should grab them pretty quick. you could set up a small brackish tank and put them in there then when you toss them in your tank wont be to much of a shock. If you want to acclimate them you can do the drip method over a long period of time.

 

[DiViNeLeFT]

in a mollies natural habitat they swim from fresh to salt water every day so i dont think acclimation is needed at all. i used them to cycle my tank and they did fine just dumping them in the tank. they also went right back to the fresh water tank with no problems once the cycle was complete.

 

[GTR]

Mollies actually do a lot better with more the usual salt (for a freshwater fish) and pretty high temps. I use to collect them from inlets to the Salton Sea and raise them to sell back to the LFS. I kept them at around 82-84° and with enough salt I could taste it. :lol: That's about all I remember from the 60's.

SteveU

 

[mr. bojangsjang]

Agreed with gtrestoration, mollies are best suited for a brackish tank (SG anywhere from 1.005-1.015, doesn't really matter to mollies) and higher temps around 82 degrees.

 

[Driftwood]

IME there is no need to acclimate them, especially if you are feeding them.

 

[justincognito]

I would use a high quality feed and give them a heavy feeding right before you give em to your eel (gut loading). You want to use foods of saltwater origin ideally with high HUFA's such as omega 3's

 

[Billy Rocket]

i breed show guppies and feed the culls to my FO salt tank. The gups will not shock out. I have had them live for hours in the salt tank. feed the gups 30 min or less before feeding them to your fish. Food moves very quickly through the gups.