Molly living solo in a community tank question…0

[CCMonice]

I have a single female Molly in a community tank (30 Gal) and most of her tank mates are smaller. I also have a 55 Gal and want to move her; my questions are about whether to get another Molly:

1) She has lived as the only Molly in this tank for a few years. If I move her to the 55 would that stress her out too much? It is also a community tank, but with some bigger fish.

2) I’d like to get her a few Molly friends now, but don’t want to breed. What is best for that? Would two other or one other female be better?

3) Lastly should I move her on the same day as I buy the new Molly/mollies or before, or after?

Thanks!

 

[BBradbury]

Hello. If you've been taking care of this fish for a few years, you're by no means new to the "water keeping" hobby. I see no reason to try to improve on perfection. You're obviously experienced in the art of aquarium fish husbandry. If you want more Mollies then go get them for your 55 gallon tank and let the "old girl" live unstressed in her old home. She's used to it.

B

 

[V227]

Keeping a livebearer up and running for several years is quite an achievement. Good job OP.

 

[Andy Sager]

I have a single female Molly in a community tank (30 Gal) and most of her tank mates are smaller. I also have a 55 Gal and want to move her; my questions are about whether to get another Molly:

1) She has lived as the only Molly in this tank for a few years. If I move her to the 55 would that stress her out too much? It is also a community tank, but with some bigger fish.

2) I’d like to get her a few Molly friends now, but don’t want to breed. What is best for that? Would two other or one other female be better?

3) Lastly should I move her on the same day as I buy the new Molly/mollies or before, or after?

Thanks!

To add to the above, if you don't want them to breed, you should get males HOWEVER, if you only have the 1 female, you are assured that they will breed. The problem with getting additional females is that Mollies have the ability to store sperm for a later gestation which means if any of the new females have ever been in a tank with males, there's no guarantee that there won't be molly fry in your future. If you are dead set against Molly fry, let your old female stay by herself.
Re moving her to the bigger tank, if there are male Guppies in that tank, Mollies and Guppies can interbreed so if that's the case, I'd leave her where she is. So what other fish do you have in the 55?