How Long Does It Take Mollies To Grow?

[goldfishgeek]

For various reasons I have been neglecting my big tank(35G) water quality tests ok, and I still do Water changes but I haven't really been "in to it if you see what I mean.

So when I was looking today I realised two things.

1. my molly population is so small - I mean size not number. these babies were born at the start of the year - easily perhaps before that even. they are maybe 1" long?

2. I have hair algae but that s another story.

I have keept mollies for about three years, nearly four considering it is october now. Periodically the water board "cleans the pipes" which ruins the pH of my water adding God knows what to it, it makes my kH and GH a mess too. the reason why these mollies are here is because they are one of the few fish that survive, I am now more careful at testing the tap water pre water change but this can mean a month with out water changes.

is this why my mollies don't grow?

they have salt, plants the tank is cycled. I have a very light feeding schedules cos of the water problems.

It was only looking at other peoples mollies today that made me think about my little five.

any suggestions?

GFG

 

[Piltdownpaul]

Sounds like the mollies arent getting enough food? I have 5 that were born 3 weeks ago and they are already half inch long. Not sure why yours arent growing bigger-

 

[chibi]

I agree with paul. You have to feed your babies atleast 3 times a day. They have very fast digestive systems. I heard that their stomachs should look bulgy and full of food at all times. I can remember having 2 guppy fry and they pooed SO MUCH! They grew at a good speed. Make sure you feed them a variety of foods and a lot of it 3+ times a day. They will grow quicker.

 

[liserini]

Is this the same for all live bearing fry? I have a tank full of guppy fry (I think! Could be swordtails), 1 of them is over a month old and is less than 2cm. The others were all born on Friday/Saturday and are around 1cm. Any advice on food to give? I have been giving mine regular fish food crushed up.

 

[millym]

hi
baby brine shrimp is good for fry you can buy little kits to hatch them at your lfs (or online shop) you can also feed them with the brine shrimp eggs that you can get in a bottle(to start hatching your own brine shrimp) we also feed fry blanched lettuce leaf (romaine lettuce) the odd bit of catfish or algae tablet,cucumber again blanched & manufactured fry food - several fishfood companies make food especially for fry.

 

[liserini]

great, i have all those things just one question...what does blanched mean?

 

[Shepdog]

Blanched means immersed briefly into boiling water.

 

[ICEEGRL]

I have 4 mollie fry that are 4wks. that are now 1 inch. All I feed mine is crushed flakes. I have just started adding to their diet. I feed 3 times a day though.

 

[spudgun2k]

i have 1 mollie fry in a breeding box. how big should he be before going in to the main tank. the biggest fish in there would be his mother a 6cm silver mollie.

thank you.

 

[cjohnston]

General rule is when the fry wont fit in their mouths.