Swordtails or Sailfin mollies

[nathan u]

Hey everyone I have some quick questions.
I have 2 tanks sitting empty a 10 and a 20, I also will have a 29g that I can use as well.
I was wondering what type of parameters are needed for raising swordtails or sailfin mollies.
I have had guppies but thats generally add water and feed:nah:.
so I was wondering what types I should get anything specific? or should I go a whole different route with different livebearers being how I don't have a tank with them anymore.
oh and do mollies actaully need salt I have read lots and some say yes others no so what is the right way.
thanks for any replies

[Melody]

Some very good questions:smile: . Most Livebearers prefer their water slightly on the alkaline side and a good portion of hardness in calcium is appreciated. I do know some breeders who have Mollies thriving in soft water, but it appears to be the exception.

No, your everyday Mollies don't 'need' salt. They're found in marine, brackish and freshwater in the wild, and the commercial strains haven't seen the wild in eons. Most of the commercial strains are raised in cement vats. They do need their minerals though, so a dash of marine salt makes them happy. The Sailfins especially seem to appreciate it. Of course, anything you buy on a commercial level is going to be a mix of up to three species at best, so its difficult to say just how much better an individual species would thrive.

Having said that, I find that all of my Livebearers respond well to some marine salt in the water. My water is somewhere around neutral so the mineral boost makes them happy, and it does keep the bacteria levels down. The most important thing with Mollies, in my experience, is clean conditions. Skip a waterchange and they act like death is on the horizon, shimmying and carrying on. :rolleyes:

As for which Livebearer, as long as they aren't species inclined to cross, you can mix them up a bit to better utilize your space, just keep in mind how prolific they are. At least trios of each species is preferrable. Were I you, I'd stick to something a little on the odd side. Common Livebearers don't bring in enough to make them worth feeding & looking after as a rule. Wild-type Livebearers are all the rage right now so you could try those.

[madattiver]

Nathan.. our water is fine for livebearers without touching it at all. Just make sure you do regular water changes and feed like you would any other fish and they will thrive.

there are so many options of what livebearer you could try that it may boggle your mind.. it does to me everyday as I go on Aquabid looking what is available.

[nathan u]

hmmm good info thanks you too.
adam saskatoon water is perfect for africans they love the water out here.
hmm I have been looking on aquabid:swoon:not a good thing, its really easy to have a want list thats a few feet long.
but endlers have my interest, only problem is finding fish around here.
if I do endlers I could probably just keep them in a 10g with a bunch of plants and the fry should survive right?
what would you guys recommend for wild types that I can get my hands on.
I am really open to anything that I can get to breed and raise although colours are always a bonus.
thanks for any help.

[madattiver]

I know there are several people breeding endlers in town.. just make a post on the SAS forum and I ma sure you will get a few responces. I have some, but haven't gotten any fry since the move. Yes, a ten gal tank with plants should be fine for them.

There aren't too many wild types around Saskatoon.. I do have some Limia's I just got from melody, but again I am waiting for one of the females to drop which may be a few weeks away.

[nathan u]

okay I will make a post yet, you have the endlers in the hex right? I think I saw them when I was there although the cories-ABN had my attention.

[madattiver]

yes.. the endlers were in the hex... I think I am planning on moving one of the larger females to a tank of her own so that she can pop out as many babies as she can and not have to worry so much about the rest of the adults hungry mouths

[nathan u]

quick questtion adam, I noticed that a lot of your tanks didn't have heaters is that for the cories?

[madattiver]

most of my fish will do fine at room temp I find.. as long as the temps are 70-76, fish will thrive.

[Melody]

Swordtails actually prefer it a tad cooler. Sailfin Mollies prefer it warmer so I still heat their tank. I'm getting away from heaters as much as possible and everyone seems to be doing fine.