Fw tank to brackish, fry and mollies!

[jennifer243]

Hello all,
I'm new to this and in need of help.
On Tuesday I set up a 10 gallon FW tank with 10 lbs gravel 3 high bushes, betta grass (fake) and 3 caves.
On wednesday I bought a female betta, 2 mollies (balloon belly and black) unsure of sex, and 1 red mickey mouse platy also unsure of sex since petsmart employee couldn't differentiate.
The tank has a filter, a light and a heater set at 78-80.
On thursday I noticed fry swimming in the tank, and before I could even google what to do next the betta was eating one! I removed her and spent all day searching for and separating fry into a breeder tank. Total of 6. I have no clue who the mother is.
I've been feeding the fry 3 times a day strained egg yolk, flakes, and freeze dried brine shrimp and they seem to be doing well.
Last night though (friday) I noticed the balloon molly and 3 fry doing the "shimmy" and researched that they thrive in brackish water.
My water parameters are ideal.
Questions:
How to transition to brackish?
Can platy survive in brackish?
What could lead my once clear water to now (saturday) being cloudy?
And any tips on raising fry would be most appreciated.
Sorry so long, thank you for your input and time!

[CoryFan]

Hi

Welcome & great info so far!

The first thing to do is to learn how to cycle your tank so that the toxin levels are healthy. This is most likely what is causing the shimmy.

Here is a good article.

I just learned about cycling but I already have fish. What now?! - Aquarium Advice[/QUOTE]

The fin nearest the tail, on the underside of the fish is different based on gender.

This is a female platy I have:




This is a male molly:




You may not even own a male. The females can store sperm for three months and use it throughout that window.

A 10 gallon tank will not be able to support your current fish list. The toxin to tank ratio is unbalanced for these types. I feel sad telling you, but I do not want you to have a hard time, losing fish.

[jennifer243]

Thank you very much!
I now know I have one female balloon belly molly, 1 male black molly, and one male red mickey mouse platy. I would have to get one female soon to even out the ratio correct?

How would I be able to move them to a bigger tank without stessing them? Or should I just move the fry or vice versa?

[CoryFan]

You are welcome!

A 10 gallon is a great size for fry.

For the adults, I would recommend returning them and replacing them once you have a tank cycled for them. (Or just keep the fry).

[URL="http://www.aquariumadvice.com/guide-to-starting-a-freshwater-aquarium/?/131/1/Guide-to-Starting-a-Freshwater-Aquarium/Page1.html"]http://www.aquariumadvice.com/guide-to-starting-a-freshwater-aquarium/?/131/1/Guide-to-Starting-a-Freshwater-Aquarium/Page1.html[/URL

However, you don't have to! Fish In cycling is fine if you are really on top of it. If not, it can cause permanent damage to the fish.

Under freshwater fish profiles you will be able to find details on what size tank is recommended.

Moving them shouldn't be too hard on them. Get the new tank set up and then place the fish in a bag with water from the 10 gallon, and air.

Float them in the new tank for 15 minutes to let the temperature adjust. Then make sure you have enough room to: add 20% more water to the bag every 15 minutes until it is 50/50 from each tank. 15 minutes later, they can be released.

[absolutangel04]

If you just got a 20g tank, you could throw the adults in there without an issue and do a fish-in cycle. With only those few fish, it wouldn't be hard to watch the water parameters.

[Samzter]

You need to move them to a 20 gallon plus for the mollies . The livebearer ratio is one male to two to three females. The 10 gallon will be a great fry tank!!

[jennifer243]

thanks to all of you for your replies! I've ended up giving the black molly and platy to LFS. I've kept the balloon molly and her fry. All seem to be doing well! I am doing 10% water changes daily and adding StressZyme daily as well, it has helped with the cloudiness of the water. I will see how well I do when I siphon out the tank in a few days!!

[absolutangel04]

I wouldn't bother with StressZyme. Your tank will build bacteria fast enough without it. That one isn't one of the better bottled bacteria products.