With its vibrant color and impressive attributes, Molly fish has become a popular fish nowadays. Caring about them, making tank conditions optimum, and feeding them good food is the ultimate pleasure. But around all these, you need to look at the water and see if it is getting lurky. So, of course, performing a water change crosses everyone’s mind once in a while. But do Molly fish require constant water changes?
Yes, Molly fish require water changes, but not as constant as other fish. So, performing water once every week by 30% or every month by 50% is necessary but pinning over it every two days is a big No.
Overdoing water change in the aquarium will lead to various problems such as an alienated environment for fish, change in fish demeanor, stress, diseases, etc. However, they are more sensitive to environmental change and react accordingly when too much ammonia or nitrite is in the tank. Hence, water change is okay once a week or month, but a constant one without acclimating mollies to new water is not good.
You need to know about Molly Fish and how they fare in a tank. First, it is important to understand that this fish requires pristine conditions, which means it needs clean water regularly.
You might wonder more about whether Molly Fish requires constant water changes or if doing it once in a while is okay. I will explain it in the article below, so read on!
Do Molly Fish Require Constant Water Changes?
I won’t put the word constantly, but molly fish require water changes every week or at least every fortnight. However, the water change depends on the number of fish in the tank, availability of filter, oxygen level, live plants, etc.
It is best to do 30% water change every week and 50% water change once a month for those with high bioloads.
Molly fish eat plenty, and you must feed them once or twice a day. They require some vegetable matter in their diet so that the waste will not build up too quickly. And the best thing you can do is provide them with clean water!
However, if you start performing water changes every day or once every couple of days, you invite trouble in the tank.
Too much water change will bring stress and health hazards, algal blooms, etc., and the shift in water chemistry and difficulty for molly fish to acclimate to a new environment every day.
Therefore, Molly fish require water changes to maintain the best environment, but a stable environment changes only inverting stress in the tank.
How Often Should You Change The Tank Water?
Molly fish do not like changes in water chemistry, so they require a stable environment. However, it would be best if you cleaned the tank periodically.
Your fish should be OK with this routine if you’re doing weekly water changes of around 30%. You can also perform a water change by 50% once every month.
I have been performing water change once every month, and it is working well for me. But remember to install a filter in the molly tank for a clean and clear water environment for fish.
If you only change the water in their tank when it gets too dirty or after an illness builds up over time, it is a welcoming note to hazards.
You can typically go a couple of days without changing the water. But you will need to do it more frequently if your Molly fish develop diseases like Ich or fight with other fish in their tank.
Water changes keep these fish healthy and provide better oxygenation and filtration for tanks that the owners often neglect.
So if you want your Molly Fish to live as long as possible, check the water parameters in the molly tank regularly.
Trust me; molly fish lifespan fluctuates from 3 to 5 years in the tank depending on the living environment and care level.
Why Is Routine Water Change In The Tank Important For Molly fish?
Molly fish are freshwater fish that need a routine change in water to living happily and stay healthy in captivity.
They will not survive without eliminating all the waste accumulated in the tank from the recreation and death of plants and other fish.
So, let me guide you through all the advantages of changing the water in the molly fish tank below:
To Maintain pH Of The Tank.
Molly fish prefers and can live in an environment with salinity. But that doesn’t mean they can’t live in a freshwater tank.
Your molly is one of many fish that can adjust to both water types. However, maintaining the pH in both water types is equally important.
The water in the tank will change its pH level over time, an issue for Molly fish because they like it to stay around that range.
You need to maintain the pH between 7.5 and 8.5 in the fresh water tank, and sometimes salt will help you maintain it.
However, changing the water once in a while will subtract the chemical and acidic build-up, bringing the water pH back to the ideal range.
Proper Nutrition
Molly fish need fresh and clean water with plenty of oxygen to live healthy lives at all growth stages of mollies life (i.e., fry, juvenile, fingerling, adult).
One significant water change per month should suffice to maintain proper nutrition levels in the aquarium for Molly’s needs.
But, this is incorrect because too much of Molly’s natural food spoils by the time you decide to do a water change.
If Molly’s colors seem pale, then that could mean one of two things: either insufficient lighting levels or inadequate nutrition intake.
Provides Comfortable Environment
Molly fish are more comfortable in a clean environment. They might not show any illness, but they are likely to feel stressed living in dirty water tanks.
This can lead them to have infections which are very dangerous for Molly Fish because it’s hard for them to recover from an illness.
If you want to keep diseases in molly fish at bay, keep the tank clean and comfortable. Don’t even think about compromising and performing water changes without installing a filter.
A filter is a must, but water changes are not something you can neglect when you have a filtration system in the aquarium and vice versa.
Molly Fish should have about 20 gallons tank per six Mollies for adequate space and water flow. In addition, they prefer warm conditions (78-82 degrees Fahrenheit), making it important to use an aquarium heater in the molly tank.
Prevents Diseases In Molly Fish
Constant water changes help keep the Molly fish healthy by preventing diseases that animals get when their bodies become overloaded with waste materials such as ammonia or nitrates.
Molly fish also need clean, fresh, or saltwater to breathe correctly. If there is too much debris on the surface, it becomes difficult for the fish to live.
Cleaning up these wastes helps keep Molly’s fish safe from disease and death while maintaining optimal health conditions.
If these levels get too high, Molly Fish can die or become seriously ill due to lack of oxygenated water and metabolic waste buildup, leading to organ damage (such as liver).
To Manage The Waste
The waste produced by Molly fish is the primary reason for water changes. Molly fish excrement accumulates in the tank and slowly builds up to a dangerous level of nitrates, ammonia, or both.
Since they can’t get rid of them, it becomes important for owners to do routine maintenance by frequent water change intervals.
How To Change The Water OF Molly Fish Tank?
Molly fish are the most popular and easy to care for freshwater aquarium fishes. These types of fish only need minimal water changes.
Whether you have live plants, they only require a 20% change in their tank’s water every week or two weeks.
The steps to change the water in Molly fish’s tank are:
- First, you have to clean the fish tank. Next, you need to remove all of the water from your Molly fish tank using a siphon hose. Then use an aquarium vacuum cleaner to clean gravel and substrate at the bottom of the fish tank.
- If any plants are present in your fish tank, don’t forget to remove them before cleaning.
- After removing the plants, use a clean bucket to remove all of the water from your fish tank and replace it with fresh tap water. Ensure an aquarium conditioner to the new water before adding this into your Molly fish tank. Then place your filter back into its original position inside the fish tank.
- Finally, add your fish back into the tank after changing the water and ensuring that the filter runs correctly. Use a thermometer to check whether you have reached room temperature before returning your Molly fish.
Is Changing Water Frequently Beneficial For Molly Fish?
Molly fish are freshwater fish that come from the Amazon basin. They require minimal to no water changes, as they produce less waste, and the filtration system you install will minus the water changing job.
However, these fish are still susceptible to bacteria buildup and other issues if they fail to maintain or filter their aquarium adequately.
If you don’t want regular water changes, use appropriate biological media like bio-balls, sponges, or plastic plants. You can even keep Molly fish with other community fish that require fewer water changes.
Changing water frequently is not good for Molly fish because it only brings stress and health hazards. However, these fish produce more waste than saltwater fish, so you must change the water more often.
If Molly fish is in a tank with other fish that require constant water changes, they shouldn’t stay in this environment. Keeping Mollies in that environment for too long induces stress in them.
Is Frequent Water Change Dangerous For Molly Fish?
Changing the water too often can lead to dangerous health impacts on the fish residing in the tank. I know how you think cleaning their house every day will make their environment.
Trust me, all you are doing is making them live in a completely different environment they are not even accustomed to.
So, let me make you understand this in a simpler language. Imagine someone living on the beachside and well-adjusted in the environment, but suddenly you are asked to move to the desert with no water source on the site.
Or imagine living in a life where you have to move to a completely new environment every few days? How would you handle the situation?
Will you get all giddy and happy with the sudden change in environment? No, you won’t because it is too hard to adjust to a new environment within a few hours.
This is what your fish goes through. You, the most social and adaptable animal on the planet, have difficulty; can’t you understand the struggle of your molly?
Do the water change within a certain period? Again, I am not stopping you. But do not overdo things and make your fish uncomfortable.
Specific water changes for Molly Fish might go like this:
- Every week – use a 25% to 30% water change (approximately)
- Once per month – use a 50% water change depending on how much your Molly’s tank holds in gallons/liters.
What Is The Perfect Water Condition For Molly Fish’s Tank?
Molly fish need a water condition that is clean, well-oxygenated, and soft. Molly’s are very sensitive to the pH levels of their tanks. So it is important to keep these levels within the optimum range for Molly Fish’s health. Moreover, the perfect water condition for Molly fish’s tank includes:
- pH level between the ranges of 7.5 and 8.5. Remember, the pH level can affect the health of molly fish as well.
- Nitrite or nitrate levels at zero to ten parts per million (ppm)
- Ammonia needs to stay at level zero.
- The ideal Water Temperature for molly fish is between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit
- Water changes every week or two.
- Molly fish need a sand substrate with live plants in the mollies tank.
- Filters, air pumps, and water conditioners to keep Molly’s tank clean
- Artificial lights and heaters to keep Molly’s tank warm
- Sterilizers to keep Molly’s tank clean
Conclusion
In conclusion, Molly Fish is always a great addition to any aquarium, and they will give you the pleasure of keeping both freshwater aquariums and saltwater aquariums. But either of the tank you choose to keep molly fish will need water changes once every week or month, depending on the amount of change.
Please, do not perform water changes more often than necessary and invite all the health hazards and stress in your fish. Mental health is equally important as physical health, and too much water change will ruin these fish.
You are the one responsible for giving molly fish the life they deserve. If you are struggling and have questions, ask me or consult a vet.
Good Luck!
Happy Fishkeeping!!!
