Discouraging Breeding In Livebearers (specifically Mollies)

[Darkehorse]

Folks,

Here's the deal: My kids want some balloon mollies. That's fine. However, I don't want the hassle of trying to deal with rearing fry, not to mention trying to find homes for them. Inevitably they'll be one or two from each batch that I (translation: my kids) will want to keep and before you know it the community tank with a few balloon mollies is now a balloon molly tank with a few community fish thrown in.

Ok so here's my real question: If you don't give mollies a brackish environment will they still breed? How else will it affect their health? I've seen mollies a lot at the LFS and they rarely are kept in brackish, and they seem fine. Obviously this may not be the best environment, but they seem fine.

So my question is two fold: Will a freshwater environment discourage breeding and how will it affect their health? Obviously I can get a group of all females, but I wanted to explore the freshwater option as well.

Thanks in advance.
-Darke

 

[Miss Wiggle]

they will still breed in FW, they'll just be much more susceptible to diseases. many many people keep mollies in FW and have no trouble breeding them. sorry!

best bet is to go all males or all females

 

[vinylman]

Of course, if you get all females, they'll most likely be in the club already, unless the shop's kept the males and females apart.

 

[Darkehorse]

they will still breed in FW, they'll just be much more susceptible to diseases. many many people keep mollies in FW and have no trouble breeding them. sorry!

best bet is to go all males or all females

True, very good point. And won't all males just bicker constantly?

-Darke

 

[chibi]

I have six balloon mollies: 3 males and 3 females (the genders came out that way, it was a coincidence they're even). I've had all of them for atleast 5 months and no one has given birth. They are very awkward when it comes to breeding because of their size and shape. I wouldn't worry about gender. Besides, if you have some fry, they will most likely be eaten. As far as aggression goes, the only aggression I have with my balloon mollies is my huge female always picks on the others if they're eating a sinking wafer. She's just a bully, but never does anything but a little nip on the head or tail. Balloon mollies are great little fish.

 

[codell]

got the same problem, i bought 3 mollies 4 weeks ago and now i currently have 26 survivng fry swimming round the tank with more on the way??? the one female i bought was already about to drop and the other female is due within the next few days lol keep an eye out in the for sale section lol

 

[Darkehorse]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Perhaps balloon mollies just aren't going to work for me.

-Darke

 

[lilfishie]

if you want all males then get at least 5 this helps spread out any aggression