Molly Fry Maybe Not Ready

[basboi85]

Well I thought I'd try and see if my Molly fry was ready to join the community in my tank last night so I let one out the fry trap and it swam around happy as larry and one of my mollys followed it around and it wasnt one of my big mollies (which im jubious about) but nothing happend so as you do thought happy days.

After half hour I lost track of it and from there after I can't find it anywhere but my big mollys haven't been near the fry so all I can guess is that one of my
Other mollies had eaten it but from what I can measure is that the fry are to big to fit in the smaller mollies mouths.

Needless to say I've not let the others free yet as these are the last of the fry from my big mumma that died.

On a lighter note I'm sure one of my original mollies is preg as she's never had a dark patch by her bum and she's starting to get a little bit of a belly on her. I can't wait to find out if she is def preg and to find out who shes had fun with lol as I've got a few different coloured males in my tank excited isn't the word lol

 

[FishBlast]

Well I thought I'd try and see if my Molly fry was ready to join the community in my tank last night so I let one out the fry trap and it swam around happy as larry and one of my mollys followed it around and it wasnt one of my big mollies (which im jubious about) but nothing happend so as you do thought happy days.

After half hour I lost track of it and from there after I can't find it anywhere but my big mollys haven't been near the fry so all I can guess is that one of my
Other mollies had eaten it but from what I can measure is that the fry are to big to fit in the smaller mollies mouths.

Needless to say I've not let the others free yet as these are the last of the fry from my big mumma that died.

On a lighter note I'm sure one of my original mollies is preg as she's never had a dark patch by her bum and she's starting to get a little bit of a belly on her. I can't wait to find out if she is def preg and to find out who shes had fun with lol as I've got a few different coloured males in my tank excited isn't the word lol

The fry might have hid itself in some grass or behind decor. My biggest swordtail fry hid for a while before being accepted by the community, now she's happily grazing along with her parents and a lyretail swordie. Technically she could fit in her mother's mouth if opened wide enough, but she doesn't nip her anyway. The fry is 1.5 cm currently.

Keeping the community fish well-fed would make them ignore fry mostly. I have another, very small swordtail fry (0.5 cm) in there (guarded by a hoplo catfish). The fry usually goes around without a problem, but there were more and they kept disappearing, despite being guarded by the catfish. I saw my lyretail snacking on a tiny fry.
Though I never wanted to save those anyway, I have enough fry from my blood-red swordie.

 

[basboi85]

Well I thought I'd try and see if my Molly fry was ready to join the community in my tank last night so I let one out the fry trap and it swam around happy as larry and one of my mollys followed it around and it wasnt one of my big mollies (which im jubious about) but nothing happend so as you do thought happy days.

After half hour I lost track of it and from there after I can't find it anywhere but my big mollys haven't been near the fry so all I can guess is that one of my
Other mollies had eaten it but from what I can measure is that the fry are to big to fit in the smaller mollies mouths.

Needless to say I've not let the others free yet as these are the last of the fry from my big mumma that died.

On a lighter note I'm sure one of my original mollies is preg as she's never had a dark patch by her bum and she's starting to get a little bit of a belly on her. I can't wait to find out if she is def preg and to find out who shes had fun with lol as I've got a few different coloured males in my tank excited isn't the word lol

The fry might have hid itself in some grass or behind decor. My biggest swordtail fry hid for a while before being accepted by the community, now she's happily grazing along with her parents and a lyretail swordie. Technically she could fit in her mother's mouth if opened wide enough, but she doesn't nip her anyway. The fry is 1.5 cm currently.

Keeping the community fish well-fed would make them ignore fry mostly. I have another, very small swordtail fry (0.5 cm) in there (guarded by a hoplo catfish). The fry usually goes around without a problem, but there were more and they kept disappearing, despite being guarded by the catfish. I saw my lyretail snacking on a tiny fry.
Though I never wanted to save those anyway, I have enough fry from my blood-red swordie.

Just tried measuring my biggest mollies they are bigger than 3inches and their mouths are at least 2cm wide and the biggest fry is 2cm long and I'm hoping it's hiding, and I had fed the tank a nice helping before I let the fry out to give best chance so to speak.
It is what it is I suppose luckily I didn't let them all out incase the worst did happen

 

[FishBlast]

Just tried measuring my biggest mollies they are bigger than 3inches and their mouths are at least 2cm wide and the biggest fry is 2cm long and I'm hoping it's hiding, and I had fed the tank a nice helping before I let the fry out to give best chance so to speak.
It is what it is I suppose luckily I didn't let them all out incase the worst did happen

A 3-4 inch (10 cm) fish shouldn't be able to eat a 2 cm fish though. It either is hiding or it probably died or it got attacked by more than one molly.
If you want to make sure it doesn't happen again, let the fry grow to 2.5 or 3 cm and then let them in.

This is the fry that's currently roaming the tank with the adults.

The hoplo has a huge mouth, but he doesn't hunt stuff, he'd rather guard fry.

 

[basboi85]

Just tried measuring my biggest mollies they are bigger than 3inches and their mouths are at least 2cm wide and the biggest fry is 2cm long and I'm hoping it's hiding, and I had fed the tank a nice helping before I let the fry out to give best chance so to speak.
It is what it is I suppose luckily I didn't let them all out incase the worst did happen

A 3-4 inch (10 cm) fish shouldn't be able to eat a 2 cm fish though. It either is hiding or it probably died or it got attacked by more than one molly.
If you want to make sure it doesn't happen again, let the fry grow to 2.5 or 3 cm and then let them in.

This is the fry that's currently roaming the tank with the adults.

The hoplo has a huge mouth, but he doesn't hunt stuff, he'd rather guard fry.

I did think that the general rule was if the fry was to big to fit in the bigger fishes mouth they would be fine. Either way it's either hiding or it's been eaten I'll have another look see if I can find it if not I'll take it it was someone's dinner

 

[FishBlast]

There are rare occasions where a fish will be so hungry that it will make a meal of even a fish that's bigger than its own HEAD. They do not swallow it whole but they chase and peck it till it's left finless and then eats it piece by piece (usually happens when you have big angelfish or bettas).
Sometimes smaller fish can survive if you have peaceful fish (corydoras, hoplos, platies and mollies are also calm if well-fed, OldMan has a pic of his molly female with her fry growing besides her).

 

[basboi85]

If any thing I prob over feed my mollies.

I give them a pinch of flakes about 9am come 2-3pm ill give them a frozen bloodworm block then come 9-10 pm I'll give them another pinch but they are always at the glass if they see me

 

[RossC]

Its most likely hiding my fry did the same but now they're more confident and swim with the big fishes lol

 

[FishBlast]

My Pinky fry has a habit of pecking the fry cage almost constantly. Probably got it from Eris the lyretail, as she pecks that cage as well to no end.

 

[basboi85]

Well just spent the last 45 mins looking even using a torch to get in the dark spots and still couldn't see it so it's obv well hidden round the back or is been eaten I'll give it till next weekend and hopefully they'll be much bigger as they must be getting bored in the fry trap

 

[FishBlast]

Well just spent the last 45 mins looking even using a torch to get in the dark spots and still couldn't see it so it's obv well hidden round the back or is been eaten I'll give it till next weekend and hopefully they'll be much bigger as they must be getting bored in the fry trap

I hope it's alive.

 

[basboi85]

Well just spent the last 45 mins looking even using a torch to get in the dark spots and still couldn't see it so it's obv well hidden round the back or is been eaten I'll give it till next weekend and hopefully they'll be much bigger as they must be getting bored in the fry trap

I hope it's alive.

So do I maybe having a rock decor setup wasn't the best option bit of a pain to see what's going on. Might have another sort out tomorrow ie less rocks and a few more plants and hopefully the last 3 fry will be big enough by next weekend

 

[FishBlast]

Well just spent the last 45 mins looking even using a torch to get in the dark spots and still couldn't see it so it's obv well hidden round the back or is been eaten I'll give it till next weekend and hopefully they'll be much bigger as they must be getting bored in the fry trap

I hope it's alive.

So do I maybe having a rock decor setup wasn't the best option bit of a pain to see what's going on. Might have another sort out tomorrow ie less rocks and a few more plants and hopefully the last 3 fry will be big enough by next weekend

More plants would do good, would lower nitrates too aside from keeping fry safer.

 

[basboi85]

I think I'm going to get some real plants as fakes may add some colour but its starting to annoy me now and i want it to look more natural. I've got a co2 system that come with the tank but I have no idea how it works as I've never had real plants in my tank.

Plus I'm desperately after a 4x2x2 tank so I can start my next tank setup. I've seen a 5x1x1.5 up for sale but it's just the tank and I'm pretty tight on money atm so it would take for ever to get it up and running properly ready for any fish

 

[FishBlast]

I think I'm going to get some real plants as fakes may add some colour but its starting to annoy me now and i want it to look more natural. I've got a co2 system that come with the tank but I have no idea how it works as I've never had real plants in my tank.

Plus I'm desperately after a 4x2x2 tank so I can start my next tank setup. I've seen a 5x1x1.5 up for sale but it's just the tank and I'm pretty tight on money atm so it would take for ever to get it up and running properly ready for any fish

Some java moss would work without CO2 and is stated to work without ferts, but for some reason, my biggest java moss bush just ceased growing. It is providing a good fry shelter nonetheless, as that's where one of the last born fry is hiding now.