Mollies are one of the most popular fish species among pet fish owners. There are dozens of different kinds of mollies, all having different colors. Mollies are actually really easy to care for.
This brings us to the question: what do mollies eat?
Here’s the straightforward answer: Due to their omnivorous nature, they can eat both plants and meat and are not picky eaters. That said, it’s important to be careful about their feeding habits, proper feeding schedules, and the quality of their diet.
If you’ve never owned mollies before, it can be a little tricky to figure out the best diet for them. This is where we come in. In this article, we will help you find the best fish food for your mollies and a lot more regarding their feeding habits and how to take care of them.
Caring for Mollies – Beginners Version (Video)
Factors to Consider When Choosing Molly Fish Food
Focus on the following factors when choosing the right food for your molly fish:
Nutritional Balance
Make sure your mollies get the nutrition they need for a vibrant and healthy life in your aquarium. Modern fish foods designed for mollies are enriched with essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and probiotics. These formulations provide a well-rounded diet to support their well-being.
Color Enrichment
In search of food that will enhance the beauty of your molly fish, especially the white ones? Whether you have black mollies, dalmatian mollies, gold doubloon mollies, or other colorful varieties, molly fish food can help bring out their vibrant hues. Look for specialized molly fish food formulated to enhance and highlight the stunning colors of your fish.
Tropical Fish Focus
Since mollies are categorized as tropical fish, it’s essential to provide them with flakes or pellets specifically formulated for tropical aquariums. Look for fish food containers that are clearly labeled as “Tropical” to ensure your mollies receive the appropriate nutrition for their habitat.
Rich in Protein
Just like in the wild, mollies have a natural affinity for consuming small invertebrates. In your aquarium, they eagerly swim towards protein-rich snacks. These high-protein treats not only enhance the vibrant colors of your mollies but also contribute to their overall health, making them well-prepared for breeding activities.
Diet of the Molly Fish
Mollies are omnivorous. They like proteins from animals, such as small insects, insect larvae, small crustaceans, and even small fish. Plus, they also feed on vegetables and plants from time to time.
The major part of their diet in the wild is derived from plants, but they also munch on meat if they have access to it.
Mollies are your secret weapon against unsightly algae in your aquarium. These little aquatic wonders are natural algae-eaters, and they’ll happily munch away at the algae on decorations and the tank walls. Not only do they keep your aquarium looking pristine, but they also contribute to better water quality by reducing excess algae growth. As they graze, mollies help oxygenate the water, creating a healthier environment for all your aquatic friends.
Apart from that, they also enjoy eating vegetables. If your mollies seem to be picky eaters, you might have to choose and try out different foods before you find the perfect match.
Top Food Options for Mollies
This article will help you find the best food for your molly fish. Read the reviews below and compare your options to get your hands on the best one.
#1. Omega One Freshwater Flakes
Our Recommendation
Crafted with care to meet the nutritional needs of your freshwater aquarium fish, these flakes are a delectable treat for your aquatic pets. Packed with high-quality protein sources like salmon, herring, and cod, they promote vibrant colors and healthy growth. Omega One’s proprietary formula contains essential Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, enhancing the overall well-being of your molly fish.
These flakes are naturally insoluble, reducing water pollution a
#2. Tetra TetraMin Plus Tropical Flakes
Tetra TetraMin Plus Tropical Flakes is a high-quality and nutritionally balanced fish food designed to meet the dietary needs of your tropical fish. These flakes are specially formulated to provide essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that promote the overall health and well-being of your aquarium inhabitants.
Each flake is packed with a mix of protein-rich ingredients to support healthy growth and vibrant coloration in your tropical fish. The advanced formula includes a blend of antioxidants and biotin to enhance immune system function and maintain optimal health.
#3. Hikari Usa Tropical Fancy Guppy Fish Food
This high-quality fish food is designed to enhance the vibrant colors, health, and vitality of your mollies, making it an excellent choice for fish enthusiasts. These micro-pellets are rich in essential nutrients, including high levels of protein, to support healthy growth. The formula is also fortified with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help boost the immune system and overall well-being of your fish.
One of the notable features of Hikari USA Tropical Fancy Guppy Fish Food is its high digestibility. The pellets are small and easy for mollies to consume, making mealtime enjoyable for both you and your fish.
#4. San Francisco Bay Brand Freeze Dried Bloodworms
Bloodworms serve as a nice occasional snack for mollies as they get tired of the same kind of food on a daily basis. Since these bloodworms are freeze-dried, the chances of them carrying any parasites or bacteria are fairly low. This makes them safe for your mollies to consume.
San Francisco Bay Brand Freeze Dried Bloodworms are easy to use; simply rehydrate them by soaking them in water for a few minutes, and they will plump up, resembling live bloodworms. This high-protein treat can be fed to your molly fish as a supplemental food or as a special treat to add variety to their diet.
#5. Aquatic Foods Inc. Freeze-Dried Plankton & Mysis Shrimp
If keeping your mollies healthy and providing them with the nutrition they need is your goal, then this product is perfect for you. The food contains minerals, vitamins, and nutrients that boost energy and the health of your molly.
Aquatic Foods Inc. Freeze-Dried Plankton & Mysis Shrimp is a premium aquatic food blend that offers a nutritious and delicious meal for your molly fish. It combines plankton and mysis shrimp, both packed with essential nutrients, to promote the health and vitality of your fish.
This freeze-dried food maintains the natural flavors and nutrients of plankton and mysis shrimp without any artificial preservatives. It’s suitable for various aquatic species, including tropical fish and marine fish, and can be used as a daily diet or a special treat.
#6. Omega One Freeze Dried Brine Shrimp
Omega One Freeze-Dried Brine Shrimp is a top-notch choice. These brine shrimp are carefully freeze-dried to maintain their natural flavor and nutritional value. They are rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, essential for your fish’s growth and overall well-being.
Whether you have tropical or marine fish, these brine shrimp are a delectable treat that will have your fish swimming with delight. Plus, they come in a convenient resealable pouch to keep them fresh for your aquatic companions.
#7. API Tropical Flakes
This product is very similar to the Omega One Freshwater Flakes. They are also known to sink slowly and can be easily eaten by your mollies. This is one of the best foods that can be fed regularly to your mollies unlike the bloodworms, krill, and the brine shrimp, which need to be fed sparingly.
The API Tropical flakes should be fed twice a day to your mollies. Ingredients like beet pulp and Spirulina have been used in making these flakes to help your mollies maintain their bright and colorful appearance.
The best thing about these API Tropical Flakes is that they have been made to reduce the production of nitrite and ammonia. Therefore, they not only provide nutrients to your molly but also help keep your fish tank water clean and hygienic.
#8. Tetra Pro Algae
What we eat is what we are, and this is true when it comes to fish as well. Another product that you should definitely give a go if you are looking for high-quality food for your molly is Pro Algae pack by Tetra. It is designed to meet the various nutritious requirements of tropical freshwater fish.
This product is not only amazing for your mollies, but if you have barbs, gouramis, or even Lake Malawi cichlids, this product will definitely do the trick.
This delicious food item does wonders for the digestive system of mollies. The algae crisps are much more nutritious than flakes. The best aspect of this product is that it is fairly easy to feed, and the crisp format of the crisps leads to minimal water pollution and waste.
Pro Algae will help your fish get healthy, provide it with ample energy, foster growth, and aid the fish in retaining its beautiful color, all the while keeping the water in your tank crystal clear.
#9. BNYEE Freeze Dried Daphnia Fish Food
BNYEE Freeze Dried Daphnia Fish Food is a premium dietary choice for a wide range of tropical fish, including Mollies, Bettas, Neons, Guppies, Cichlids, Catfish, and more. This high-quality fish food is made from freeze-dried daphnia, a nutritious and protein-packed natural food source for fish. Daphnia are known to enhance fish coloration and support overall health.
The freeze-drying process preserves the nutritional value of these tiny crustaceans, ensuring your fish receive the best diet possible. Boost the vitality and colors of your tropical fish with this exceptional fish food option.
Mollies Eating Vegetables – Top Options
While mollies don’t encounter many vegetables in the wild, you can introduce them to a variety of veggies at home to meet their nutritional needs. Remember that raw veggies can be tough, so lightly boiling them to soften them is a good idea. Avoid overcooking to maintain the right texture for your mollies’ enjoyment and nutrition.
These are some of the vegetables that mollies like to eat:
- Bok Choy
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Green bell peppers
- Zucchini
- Cucumbers
- Chicory
- Dock
- Dandelion greens
Feeding Spinach to Your Molly
Opt for organic spinach from your local supermarket to avoid harmful chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides. Freezing spinach can deplete its vitamins, so boiling it until it’s soft but not mushy is a better approach. Then, offer your mollies small pieces of boiled spinach. Spinach is rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein, promoting the health and growth of your pet fish. It’s a top choice for plant-based fish foods.
Homemade Plant-Based Molly Fish Food
Things you will need:
- Cucumber
- Frozen peas
- Oats
- Unflavored gelatin
- Spinach
What to do?
The first thing you should do is blanch all the vegetables and then puree them. After that, add the oats in a separate bowl and mix it with gelatin and hot water. Add the gelatin mixture slowly to the vegetables. Store the food in your fridge
Homemade Meat-Based Molly Fish Food
Things you will need:
- Shrimp
- Whitefish
- Unflavored gelatin
- Any vegetables you have
- Beef heart
What to do?
Boil the vegetables, but they should not get mushy. Mix the shrimp, white fish, and beef heart together in a separate bowl. Add the meat mixture into a bowl with gelatin and hot water.
Combine all the ingredients and then store it in the freezer. To feed your fish easily, store the food in an ice tray.
Feeding Mollies for Breeding
If you want to create breeding conditions for molly fish, then feed them live or frozen foods for a treat. This does not seem much, but in time it will result in huge differences and most likely will give out better results.
Some of the best-frozen foods for mollies include shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia, and brine. A lack of fresh food in the diet of mollies makes them sexually inactive.
Feeding Schedule for Mollies
You should have a rather regular schedule when it comes to feeding your pet fish. Like all the fish out there, mollies will keep on eating and overeating, which can make them sick.
When it comes to feeding your molly fish, it’s important to avoid overfeeding. A good rule of thumb is to provide an amount of food that your mollies can consume in about five minutes. Overfeeding can lead to various issues for your fish, so it’s best to offer an appropriate portion to keep them healthy and thriving.
To maintain a healthy feeding schedule for your mollies, consider offering them food twice a day, at approximately 12-hour intervals. Feeding your mollies at 8 am and then again at 8 pm, or a similar schedule, is a suitable routine to ensure their well-being.
It’s crucial to be mindful of how much food you provide to your mollies, as they are known for their voracious appetite and tendency to overeat. Ensure you don’t overfeed them to maintain their health and prevent excess food from polluting the tank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn’t my molly eating?
The loss in appetite in mollies or any other fish is mostly because they are under stress or have a disease. Examine your fish for signs of any illness. If you are unsure, take your fish to the vet.
Another thing you should do is check if the conditions of the fish tank are healthy. Test the water for ammonia and nitrates.
How do I feed my mollies cucumbers?
Cut the cucumber into small slices so that your molly does not choke on them. Make sure that the cucumber is organic and clean.
Can mollies eat chopped-up pieces of lettuce?
They can, but it’s better if you do not feed them chunky food. Stick to squishier food like squash, peas, and cucumbers.
How can I ensure all my mollies get their share of food when some have already eaten, and others are trying to steal it?
The best thing to do is to spread the food so that every fish gets a chance to eat.
Can I feed my mollies small earthworms?
Yes, you can but do make sure that the earthworms do not contain any pesticides or artificial fertilizers.
Can I feed them pieces of bread?
No, you cannot. Bread contains yeast which causes problems in warm water.
Conclusion
The best fish food for mollies should cater to their nutritional needs, enhance their vibrant colors, and be suitable for tropical aquariums. Feeding them a balanced diet of high-quality flakes, pellets, and occasional protein snacks can help keep them healthy and vibrant. Remember not to overfeed, and stick to a feeding schedule to ensure their well-being.
