Sometimes LIMentality420, people buy fish on impulse. I am as guilty as anyone else. In fact, I didn't start researching fish until after I had a tank full of African Cichlids and didn't know it. It's not that we are so quick to tell someone to get rid of their fish, it's just that we are giving advice on how to maintain a long term, healthy, stable environment for their fish. Some fish can not be mixed together. Sharks and Mollies being one of them. The sharks will tear them apart when they start to become overly aggressive. And that's the issue. They may be fine at this moment, but that doesn't mean that tomorrow they wil be fine.
We are just trying to prevent fish deaths. There is not a doubt in my mind that those sharks will kill one of the mollies or platties. And I'm speaking from experience. It's not being by the book, it is going from experience.
Example, look at my profile. I am keeping African's and South American Cichlids together. That is a big no no "by the book" but I tend to stray away from the beaten path sometimes. It's experimentation. It's just that it is hard and frustrating to start with the hobby of aquaria and lose a lot of fish. There were many times starting out that I wanted to scrap the entire thing because my fish kept dieing. They were eating each other. (Note: Oscars do NOT belong in a 10
gal tank with mollies or guppies) But it was because noone told me that what I was putting in the tanks wasn't proper for the tank size.
Unless debomb wants to buy a 55
gal tank, the sharks will not be happy. They NEED swimming space. And so do the Mollies. It is in their nature. Saltwater is in many ways different than Freshwater. BUT, it would be like getting a Moray Eel and putting it in a 10
gal tank with semi-adult clowns. Sure, it would live for a while, but eventually it will lash out and kill the other fish.
I don't know how much you know about the freshwater hobby, but before you make a post saying that we always tell people to take back fish, at least research the fish that are being discussed. And after you do, you will realize that the sharks do not belong in a 10
gal tank.
And debomb, it's not like we are telling you that you made bad choices because the
lfs should have told you that those fish would not do well in a 10
gal tank. It's just that you should check out some fish profiles and see which ones interest you. Figure out if they will fit into your tank, and go from there. Don't buy fish on impulse. That is one thing that most people do. And I'll admit, I still do it, but I know what can and cannot go into my tanks.
I'm not trying to be rude or act like I know more information. It's just that people that are new to the hobby (not singling you out debomb) need some guidance. That's all. And tankmates are limited in a tank of that size. It's best to start off right than waste money and become irritated with the entire process. This is truly an enjoyable hobby and everyone should have a fish tank at some point in time in their life. But, you need guidance along the way.