Out of all the aquarium fish, molly fish, also known as mollies, are noted for being some of the easiest and weirdest to keep.
If you notice that your molly fish is eating at the edge of the aquarium, you will be happy to know that this is not a cause for concern.
They are doing that as the food naturally collects near the edge.
Their odd behavior, vibrant colors, and active natures will keep any aquarists guessing and wondering what the molly fish is up to in their tank.
Molly Fish Eating Near the Edge of the Aquarium
One of the common behaviors that mollies display is eating near the edge of the aquarium.
They like to eat food at the edge of the aquarium because most of the food tends to collect there.
Mollies are known for having huge appetites despite their small sizes and they love to eat.
They tend to congregate at the nearest places where there is plenty of food and low competition.
In this case, your molly is just trying to get the most food as quickly as possible. Additionally, watch out for if your molly starts to show signs of food aggression.
Since they are greedy, molly fish are known to bully their tank mates during feeding time.
In addition, a happy molly is one that is well-fed and has a good water temperature.
Molly Fish and Food
When it comes to food, molly fish love to eat. They have large appetite for fish and will eat for at least 5 minutes before they are satiated.
However, if you feed them more, they will readily eat another meal. It is advised that you manage a strict diet routine with your molly fish.
A good rule of thumb is to only give it enough for it to finish in 5 minutes.
If your molly fish are searching for more food to eat, that means that you did not give them enough.
It will take some trial and error to fix this but you can eventually work out how much to feed your molly fish per day.
It is advisable to feed your molly fish twice a day. They use up a lot of energy swimming around the tank and they will be happier when they are satiated.
Hungry molly fish are more likely to throw tantrums, bully their tank mates and become aggressive around feeding time.
If you are feeding them twice a day, make sure to do so at 12-hour intervals. For example: if you fed your molly fish at 7 am, then their next meal will be at 7 pm.
What can Molly Fish Eat?
Always remember that molly fish love to eat and will eat anything you give, even if they are full.
This is why; you will have to pick the time and the kind of food you want to feed them.
Molly fish are known to be omnivorous. They thrive on a diet, which is equal parts algae, vegetative matter, and some meaty food.
This is why they are fond of certain foods more. If you want to keep your molly fish happy, you should make a diet plan for them that include the following types of food:
Brine Shrimp
These are a good source of protein and are loved by omnivorous and carnivorous fish.
For molly fish, brine shrimps are perfect as they provide healthy proteins, vitamins, and minerals. They also contain many other essential minerals which molly fish need for perfect health.
You can find freeze-dried brine shrimp very easily in local fish stores and a little goes a long way.
Freeze-dried varieties are better for your fish as they have been treated and are free from many of the parasites or bacteria that live ones will have.
Brine shrimps can also help to enhance the pigmentation of your molly fish and keep their coloring vibrant.
In addition, the small size makes them edible for even babies or any other fussy eaters.
Bloodworms
Since mollies can be picky eaters, it is a good idea to have variety, even in protein options.
Adding bloodworms to their diet is a great way to introduce some new foods into their diet.
You can find freeze-dried bloodworms in your local fish store as well. The best part is that just like with brine shrimp, a little will go a long way.
Most mollies have teeth and giving them bloodworms will give them something to chew upon.
Be careful about the size of the bloodworm, you might have to break a few before you add it to the tank. Bloodworms are also high in essential nutrients and minerals.
In comparison to the shrimp, you will get more protein from them as they tend to be meatier. They also tend to boost the immune system of your fish and are a great treat to have.
Daphnia
Daphnia is a small water flea. These are extremely small and easy for the fish to eat. Despite the name, they will not be parasitic nor will they affect your fish.
It is a good idea to get them freeze-dried from your local fish store.
Fresh daphnia can be great for your mollies to chase around the tank but they can contain unwanted bacteria.
These are another good source of protein. They will also contain many minerals that your mollies need for good growth.
Additionally, having freeze-dried ones will ensure that you have a longer shelf life with these.
Daphnia is also neater to eat and does not turn your water cloudy. Since mollies can be messy eaters, this is a great treat for them to have.
Fish Flakes
When it comes to regular food that you can feed every day, fish flakes are going to be the best option for you.
Buying from a quality brand is a good idea, as they will contain all the essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that your mollies need to enjoy perfect health.
Unlike daphnia, bloodworms, and brine shrimps, fish flakes can be fed to mollies twice a day without any worries.
Make sure to pick formulations of fish flake that reduce ammonia and nitrates. Any leftovers will contribute to that.
Luckily, mollies are exceptionally healthy eaters and most mollies will end up eating everything you give out so leftovers are not going to be an issue for you.
Boiled Vegetables
As previously mentioned, mollies like to eat vegetables too.
In fact, they will nibble on your aquatic plants, especially if they have not been given a meal or two.
Given this factor, it is a good idea to feed them some organic vegetables. Avoid any that have been commercially produced or chemically treated.
Good vegetable options for molly fish include the following:
- Spinach
- Cucumber
- Zucchini
- Bok Choy
- Green Bell Peppers
Since they have teeth, mollies will eat all the vegetables you add to the tank.
However, make sure to boil or blanch the vegetables for 5 minutes or until they soften before adding them to the aquarium.
This will make it easier for them to eat anything you add.
Additionally, keep an eye on and clean up as soon as the molly fish start eating. Do not leave any vegetables in their tank for longer than 12 hours.
Every-Day Feeding Schedule
Your everyday feeding schedule will mean that you incorporate the above-mentioned food items into your mollies’ diets.
Doing so means that you will have to put some thought into your meal plans. You can start out with something like this:
| Day | Meal 1 | Meal 2 |
| Monday | Fish flakes | Fish flakes |
| Tuesday | Brine shrimp | Fish flakes |
| Wednesday | Fish flakes | Bloodworms |
| Thursday | Boiled Spinach | |
| Friday | Fish flakes | Fish flakes |
| Saturday | Daphnia | Fish flakes |
| Sunday | Boiled Cucumber |
With the help of this table, you can see that the molly fish will have plenty of variety in its diet.
Similarly, only feed them once a day when you are giving them a boiled vegetable. This will be a big meal for them and it is a good idea to only feed them once that day.
In addition, if you are leaving it in their tank for 12 hours, your mollies will nibble on it throughout that time.
Additionally, you do not have to incorporate them all into their meals but adding even a few will make them extremely happy.
Feeding Guide for Baby Molly Fish
Mollies are also among the easiest fish to breed and you might end up with some babies, even if you were not planning to breed your fish.
As livebearers, mollies give birth to live fry. Their babies are already able to swim, eat and hide in the vegetation.
To make sure that they are being fed as well, you should add brine shrimp to their diet.
Additionally, crush the fish flakes finely to ensure that the babies can eat them. Their mouths are smaller so they cannot eat the food you add.
However, if you want your fry to survive, it might be a good idea to remove them from the tank.
Adult molly fish are known to eat their fry on occasion. Moreover, if you kept your mollies in a community tank, other fish can also prey on them.
By paying attention to all these factors, you can ensure that your mollies are well-fed, happy, and healthy in your tank.
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