Why Do Molly Fish Jump Out Of A Tank?

Why Do Molly Fish Jump Out Of A Tank

Molly fish are a type of tropical freshwater fish that are present worldwide. They have unique physical features such as long fins, which easily help them swim in fast currents.  Do you think this might be why Molly fish jump out of a tank?

Molly fish jump out of a tank when the water conditions, diet, etc., is not optimum. However, they are very active and love exploring their environment and enjoy swimming around the tank, looking at new things leading to the jump.

Molly fish will find a way to get out of a tank if Molly fish feel bored or want more space. Moreover, some might feel uncomfortable inside the tank, so they jump out in search of comfort.

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I know questions don’t end here, so we will discuss why Molly fish jump out of the tank in detail in this article. Hopefully, you will find it informative and worth giving your time.

Do Molly Fish Jump Out Of A Tank?

Yes, Molly fish will jump out of a tank when the water condition is not optimum for these fish. However, these fish will also use their tails to propel themselves upwards and survive in brackish and freshwater.

Molly fish are good jumpers and will also use their tails as fans, they can go for hours without needing to come up for air, and it is not uncommon that Molly fish will sleep on the water’s surface.

Why Do Molly Fish Jump Out Of A Tank?

Molly fish are unique types of tropical fish that can live in both fresh and saltwater. Molly fish have various colors, shapes, and sizes, making them very popular in aquariums and one of the most invasive species.

Some of the reasons why Molly fish jumps out of a tank are:

Unfavorable Water Condition

No one prefers to stay in an environment that burns their skin and makes breathing difficult. But, can you even imagine living in that condition?

Hence, the same goes with your molly fish. They will jump out of the tank when the ammonia level goes up and start to increase the water toxicity.

Trust me, the ammonia poisoning in the aquarium will hurt and burn molly fish too bad that they would want to escape it as soon as possible.

Also, molly fish cannot live without oxygen in the tank, and an increase in chemicals will limit oxygenation. Hence, jumping out of the tank is a coping mechanism for molly to breathe and live a burn-free life.

Uncomfortable Tank

Molly fish are susceptible to temperature and pH levels in the water, which can cause Molly Fish to jump out of a tank.

In addition, fish prefer warmer temperatures around 70-80° Fahrenheit, so if their living conditions aren’t exactly right, they will do everything to get out.

The increase in the water temperature will leave marks on their bodies and a burning sensation. Who would not want to get out of the zone with burns and heat? Thus, Molly fish will jump out of a tank if they are not in the right environment.

To Escape

Molly fish will jump out of a tank to escape the water. These fish are very good at jumping, so they can jump onto rocks or even dry land if given enough space.

So they can escape the tank very quickly and easily if given enough room or food above them on a rock or ledge.

Everyone loves to have a new environment once in a while, and hence your molly fish just want an escape or vacation. So they jump to get a break without knowing this same stunt will bring death in their door.

Active

Molly fish are very active and like to stay moving throughout the tank. You can see these fish swimming up and down, side to side, and upside-down. This makes it hard for them not to hit the top of their tanks during their day.

Curiosity

Molly fish also have a lot of curiosity that can lead them to jump out of their tanks. They are constantly exploring new things in their environment. Thus, they will check out anything that they find interesting, including the inside of a tank lid or top.

Poor Eyesight

Molly fish have poor eyesight, which can also be why they jump out of a tank. These fish can’t see very well and cannot tell what is happening above them. So Molly fish will often jump up when they feel the vibrations of an object such as a hand or net.

Territorial

Molly fish are also territorial, which means they don’t like new things in their environment. So when Molly fish are in a new environment, they will often poke around to find out if it is safe.

Your fish that don’t feel comfortable in their tanks may jump up and try to escape the unknown space. You will find your molly fish hiding in the tank when things go south, and they hate their tank mates. Hence, the hideouts will go poof after a while, and they escape the tank to leave behind the crowded life.

Hunger

Mollies are always hungry, which can cause them to jump out of a tank at any time. These fish will eat a lot of different foods. But it is best to feed Molly Fish twice a day.

Why Is Jumping Out Of The Tank Dangerous For Molly Fish?

Molly fish requires an optimum condition to live. Molly fish need a specific water quality and temperature to live healthily in captivity. In addition, they will not get the proper environment to live outside the tank so jumping out of the tank is dangerous for them.

Some other reasons why jumping out of the tank is fatal for Molly fish are:

  • Molly fish doesn’t adapt to the new environment outside the tank. Instead, they feel stressed and jump to escape.
  • This fish jumps out of the water but cannot swim on land, so it will die suffocating inside your home.
  • Molly fish usually carries parasites and diseases from one location to another, which can be fatal when exposed to a different habitat.
  • Molly fish generally suffers from stress which is not suitable for their health.

When Molly Fish jumps out of the tank, you need to find a way to catch it and put it back in the water as soon as possible. You can use any small container like an empty bowl or cup with clean water to capture molly fish safely.

How To Stop Molly Fish From Jumping Out Of The Tank?

Since jumping out of the tank is dangerous for Molly fish, you must try to stop them. However, some of the ways to stop Molly fish from jumping out of the tank are:

Ensure The Tank Has Enough Space

Molly fish need space to swim. They will not be comfortable in small spaces or crowded areas, so they might jump out of the tank if there is insufficient swimming room. Therefore, the tank must have ample water and provide Molly with plenty of swimming area without overcrowding the tank.

Mainatin Optimum Water Conditions

Maintaining the Molly Fish Tank’s water is also important. Molly fish will not be comfortable if you expose them to poor water conditions. So you must maintain a good quality of water in the tank by doing regular cleaning.

Do regular water changes to the molly tank and make sure the filter has biological filter media with aquarium beneficial bacteria. These bacteria will perform the aquarium nitrogen cycle and change the toxic ammonia into essential nitrate in no time.

Ensure the tank has a temperature of about 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and the water pH level is between about 7.5 to 8.5.

Molly fish do not like it if their environment changes too quickly, so they might jump out of the tank when there are sudden changes in temperature or water conditions.

Get a heater and maintain the optimum water temperature for mollies all the time. Also, your fish might adjust with a filter and a low oxygen level; it is better to get an air pump for the molly fish tank.

I am not saying molly fish need an air pump in the tank (they don’t), but I recommend getting one just in case.

Provide A Variety Of Plants And Rocks

Molly Fish also needs plants and rocks inside the tank to hide in as these fish are shy and sensitive. So they feel safest when there is a place. 

Molly fish needs live plants because they provide shelter from predators and will also feel more comfortable in a tank.

They love to swim under the plant’s leaves and hide behind them. But remember that your mollies don’t like a densely planted tank, so make sure only to use very few plants.

Do Not Overfeed Them

Molly fish might jump out if their stomach is too full because there won’t be enough space for Molly to swim and not enough room in the tank.

Overfeeding Molly fish will also cause waste levels to increase, which can be deadly as they might die from poisonous wastes or bacteria levels getting too high inside the tank.

You need to understand how often to feed your molly fish without skipping their meal hours. Ensure you are not leading them to obesity. Just research well beforehand and stop predicting things.

Maintain A Healthy Environment

Ensure no lousy water quality such as ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Mollies need a healthy environment to live in. So, it would be best if you kept them in a tank with good water quality. 

You should provide an ideal temperature with proper pH for Molly fish to live in a safe and healthy environment.

Besides this, provide good filtration with air pumps, air stones, and filters to keep the water condition constant in the tank.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does Molly Fish Live?

Molly fish can live up to five years. Molly has a rapid growth rate, and they don’t mature until about one year of age, but some reports place the average Molly’s lifespan at four or even six years.

What Can I Feed Molly Fish?

Molly fish will eat just about anything, which can be very messy. So it’s best to feed Molly food that comes in small pieces. They prefer sinking pellets or flake foods over other types of foods, but don’t limit your Molly to only eating the flakes.

How Much Should I Feed My Molly Fish?

It is important not to overfeed Molly because this could cause issues with ammonia levels in the tank since Molly produces a lot of waste for their size. Generally speaking, around one tablespoon per three gallons should suffice. Also, remove any uneaten food before it has had time to start decomposing, giving off harmful toxins into the water column.

What Is The Ideal Tank Size For Molly Fish?

Molly Fish is relatively small in size, but they do overgrow. So it would be best if you get a tank bigger than ten gallons to keep more molly fish.

Remember that since Molly produces waste, you must regularly change the water and install a filtration system depending on their size.

How Many Molly Fish Can I Put In A Tank?

You can generally put around five mollies per 30 gallons of water. However, many owners are successfully keeping more fish than this. But there are higher chances of aggression in Mollies when you keep them in a crowded tank.

Molly fish will eat smaller mollies. So if you plan on keeping a school of Molly in your tank, be sure to keep them in groups and not alone!

Can I Put Other Type Of Livebearers In The Same Tank As Molly?

This depends on the other types of livebearers you consider keeping. Many people have luck with Guppies and can keep them with Mollies successfully. Just remember that both guppy females and Molly are sensitive to water temperatures. So make sure they match up before adding any new type of fish or invertebrate into your aquarium.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a Molly fish jump out of a tank because they are looking for food. These fish also jump to get oxygen from the air, not water. They need more amusement and stimulation than other types of fish. So tanks with plants or decorations can keep them happy while avoiding jumping out of their home.

Molly fish are also really cute and make for a great pet. So, it is crucial to keep Molly Fish happy so they do not jump out of their home again.

Hopefully, this blog post answered, “Why do Molly Fish Jump out of a tank?” If not, feel free to contact us at any time.

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