Balloon Molly Fry Bullied To Death?

[chickennuggets123]

I had 4 lovely (unexpected) balloon molly fry. After 3 weeks, sadly, I only have just the 1 left.


The other day, I saw 2 of them chasing each other and nipping each other.
And it only seemed to involve the same 1 fry (the one that's still alive)


Were they fighting or playing?
Could this 1 fry have caused the death of the others?
Would it probably turn out male?



Im not sure of its gender, as they are still under a month old.
And 'he' seemed to be one of the biggest.

I know not ALL of the fry usually survive, and all of them seemed to be eating well.

 

[KittyKat]

The other day, I saw 2 of them chasing each other and nipping each other.
And it only seemed to involve the same 1 fry (the one that's still alive)

Were they fighting or playing?
Could this 1 fry have caused the death of the others?

Bullying is most likely. Yes, bullying can induce stress, which can cause death.

Would it probably turn out male?

No, there is no way to tell from behavious. My most aggressive livebearers were actually female.

I know not ALL of the fry usually survive, and all of them seemed to be eating well.

You can increase survival chances by adding plants such as Java moss, for example. It is possible for all the fry to survive, but you would need tanks dedicated to raising them.

p.s. if you haven't done so already, read about competition for food between fancy and common goldfish, and, if your goldfish are inside an aquarium, about their adult sizes.

 

[chickennuggets123]

Theyre in a breeding net, not in the actual aquarium