Molly Nipping Angelfish Scales Off

[ianeberle]

I recently noticed that my Dalmatian molly is nipping at my black angelfish. My angel is about 5-10 times larger than my molly and he is still losing the fights. This has been going on for about three days now and I have noticed in areas where he was once black, he is silver.

I contacted my local fish specialists and they said it could be many things, but the common things are:

1. My angel has bacteria on him that my molly sees as food.
2. My molly is aggressive.

I got this molly about four months ago when she was VERY little. So little that I think she was less than $0.99 at the pet store. Now she has gotten a little bigger and recently started attacking my angelfish. I have also noticed that his fins sometimes look ratty on the end, like they have been nipped.

My angel is 3.5 to 4 inches from top fin to bottom and my molly is about 1 to 1.5 inches long.

Any suggestions? I currently have my molly separated, as I have read horror stories of nipping fish killing others.

 

[Laser]

I know this probably isn't the answer you want to hear, but I don't think the molly is going to stop. I would keep them separated.

 

[ianeberle]

I have them segregated right now. My molly is in a container next to my tank. I know it's not the best location for a fish that needs a lot of room, but it's temporary until I can find a new home for her.

I'm thinking about:

1. Giving her to my LFS.
2. Giving her to my math professor who has a 55 gallon tank in her classroom with about six mollies in it.
3. Placing her in my shrimp tank. I'm just worried she will eat my cherry shrimp and their babies.

 

[Laser]

I think giving it to your professor sounds like a good option.

 

[Rivercats]

I think giving it to your professor sounds like a good option.

I absolutely agree! I think your molly will be much happier being with it own kind.


I have 10 angels in one tank and 4 in another, have kept angels for 30+ years and can tell you that their overall health will deterioate when being harrassed like that. The angel will heal but while doing so keep your water really clean by doing frequent WC's.

 

[ianeberle]

I have been doing research lately and found that my angel may have an internal parasite because he's twitching a lot and has random spaz attacks. I have treated my water twice with Quick Cure that treats ick, parasites, protozoans, and much more. I started treating when I removed the molly and my angel is doing better. My only concern is that he is not eating. I have ordered some blood worms and dried shrimp that people said angels like to eat. I thought he could just be bored with the plain flake food. I also ordered the master water testing kit from Dr. Foster and Smith along with some vitamin chemicals and the two different foods that I mentioned before. I have never tested my water before, so I thought now would finally be a good time to spend the money on the kit. Is there anything else I can do?

An update on my molly: She jumped out of her container in the middle of the night and died. I assumed she was just stressed from moving to a 36 gallon tank to a small container all by herself. Also, I checked the fish in my professor's room and she has goldfish, so it would not have worked out anyway.

 

[Rivercats]

Sorry about your molly.

 

[ianeberle]

It's okay. It's a bummer because I raised her for about four months. I bought her at the pet store (I actually got two at the time, but one disappeared after just one day) probably as small as chain pet stores sell them. Over time, it was cool to see her get larger and develop black spots, since she was a Dalmatian.

Do you have any advice for my angel?

 

[Laser]

I like to feed my angels New Life Spectrum sinking pellets. They love them and it contains garlic in addition to quality ingredients, which is supposed to aid their immune system. I also feed them frozen blood worms which they love even more.

I would do some extra water changes, maybe 1 or 2 extra during the week, and see how it does. Can you post some pictures of the angel?

 

[Zimmanski]

+1 to the sinking pellets, I feed mine a whole bunch of stuff and they eat it all, but the sinking pellets they seriously attack

 

[Fishy Smell]

I've heard this can be a problem with Mollys and Angels but i have 2 in with mine and no problems so far. Similarly i raised them from a few mm to about an inch or so now. If they cause problems with the Angel though they will be kicked out. I recently ejected a whole 6 superbly coloured Rosy Barbs because they were going for the Angel, so i won't worry about a couple of Mollys.