Bun In The Oven

[gearyboy]

My female sunshine mollie is spending alot of time at the bottom of the tank. Could she have a bun in the oven? Water readings are spot on, not many fish in tank! Is she about to drop?





Matt

 

[Annastasia]

Can't say I know what a bun in the oven is, but I'm guessing that means she's pregnant?

Anyway, it sure sounds like she might give birth soon! Any idea how long she's been pregnant?

 

[kris-b-]

"Bun in the oven" Haven't heard that for so long! It does mean pregnant Anastasia!

 

[Annastasia]

"Bun in the oven" Haven't heard that for so long! It does mean pregnant Anastasia!

I figured so! Don't mind me, I'm just way behind in the World.

Cute term though. I like it. So if you have a lot of buns in your oven (like me) are you a baker?

 

[gearyboy]

Not a baker, put the breeding net in ready, Hopefully fry coming!

 

[Annastasia]

Well, I don't use breeder nets, except for raising fry. Besides, baker sounds better. Or maybe bakeress...

Anyway, as I was saying, Geary, she does sound like she is ready to drop, but sometimes they can hang around on the bottom when they are sick. She doesn't have any visible signs of anything?

 

[nino]

Does she look pregnant, as in fat and can you see a gravid spot? Sometimes by shining flashlights on my livebearers I can see the fry in their tummies. I wouldn't put her in a breeding net, it could distress her and cause her to abort. Watch her closely, she could be close to giving birth but it is just as likely that she could be sick. I'd put her in a hospital tank (if you've got one), add a little salt and watch for signs of illness or pregnancy. In a hospital/birthing tank it is also easier to get together all the fry since you would just have to remove the mother.

 

[paulthegreat]

Have you heard "Up the Duff?" a bun in the oven is a good thing if you want fry. I try to wait till the Mommy in question has started to birth and then try to get them into the trap/net. If you have not seen the Mommy drop a few times you can not really guess when her time has come. Some show signs a few days before they drop and some go on as nothing is out of the ordinary and then shoot out a load of fry in a couple of hours. I have a couple of Swordies ready to drop yesterday but since I have never seen these fish birth I have no real time frame for them. Their Mommy, Doris gave birth every 33-35 days but I have to get a good timing to be able to save the fry from the sisters and Daddy. My growout tank is getting a bit empty.