ARE THESE DALMATIONS PLATY'S?

[cashay]

[cashay]

[Carl]

These are Mollies, in fact I have couple just like these in a Bio Cube aquarium.

Mollies come in many different forms and colors, see this article from our Fish Profiles pages:
Fish Profiles; Livebearers, Mollies

Carl

[cashay]

Oh ok I thought they were shaped like platties, but heh-heh I guess i dont know my fish yet Thanks Carl, they are pretty neat looking.... but Of course my camera shots are never any good...

[8 in the Corner]

Sherry,
Yes, they are dalmation mollies. Don't forget, mollies will do much better with a little salt in their water. They typically live in brackish water and don't do really well in totally fresh water.

I have always added a teaspoon of salt for each gallon of water in a molly tank. Actually, many fish do better with some salt in their water. Salt inhibits many parasites and diseases. Of course, you should research any fish you plan to buy and see if they can tolerate salt before you bring them home. Or, start up another tank like I do for new fish.

Salt does not evaporate with water, so when adding water to "top off" a tank, you should not add more salt. Only add salt when you physically remove water (during a water change) and replace it with fresh.
John

[cashay]

I'm never sure when to add it.. Do I add some with every 25% water change? and then how much? not the same as adding it in the tank the first time... I think I actually killed my betta that way. or had something to do with it,, I didnt realize it until after he died, And do you know how a dwarf frog would be with a little salt.?

[bikeguy33]

what 8 is saying....if you pull out 5 gallons....put the recommended salt into the 5 gallon bucket. when you fill for evaporation,the water is gone....but the salt still remains in the tank. only add for what you remove

[cashay]

ok so if I take out 8 quarts of water just add like a pitch or something. right?

[Carl]

Dec 10, 2008 9:44:13 GMT -5 cashay said:

ok so if I take out 8 quarts of water just add like a pitch or something. right?

For 2 gallons (8 quarts), about 1 to 1.5 teaspoons for a general community tank with mollies would be fine.

Even more noteworthy for mollies than the salt are electrolytes (which I believe you already add via Wonder Shells).
High mineral/Electrolyte content is the common denominator for ALL mollies, although salt is definitely useful.

Please see these two articles:
Aquarium Answers; Salt in Freshwater Aquariums

Aquarium Answers; Mollies in aquariums

Carl

[cashay]

so now I'm confused again, Do I use one or the other? or do I use both together? salt and wondershells

Even more noteworthy for mollies than the salt are electrolytes (which I believe you already add via Wonder Shells).
High mineral/Electrolyte content is the common denominator for ALL mollies, although salt is definitely useful.

[goldenpuon]

I think both together is fine. In fact, I need to save up to buy wondersheels from Carl sometime.

[Carl]

Dec 10, 2008 15:34:26 GMT -5 goldenpuon said:

I think both together is fine. In fact, I need to save up to buy wondersheels from Carl sometime.

Yes, both are fine, I just wanted to emphasize that the electrolyes are essential, while the salt is not. Also I might point out that these essential electrolytes can come from other sources, not just Wonder Shells.

Carl

[8 in the Corner]

Dec 9, 2008 16:35:07 GMT -5 cashay said:

And do you know how a dwarf frog would be with a little salt.?

I'm not positve, but I don't think frogs do well with salt in their water. Snails are not good with salt either, I think. Carl?
John

[bikeguy33]

1/2 doses do alright with frogs and still enough to help the rest.....

[Carl]

Dec 11, 2008 20:42:19 GMT -5 8 in the Corner said:

Dec 9, 2008 16:35:07 GMT -5 cashay said:

And do you know how a dwarf frog would be with a little salt.?

I'm not positve, but I don't think frogs do well with salt in their water. Snails are not good with salt either, I think. Carl?
John

Yes, many snails cannot tolerate much salt, but 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons should not be a problem. Nerite snails are actually brackish or fully marine, so the only problem with these guys and salt is that they will breed when salt levels rise.

Frogs of all species that I know of (of coarse I do not know of them all, LOL) are also salt sensitive sense they absorb water through theri skin and too much slat can cease this process, however as with most snails, a small amount is not harmful (I have kept salt in my ADF tanks before)

Carl