Momma Mollie Died after giving birth.

[mathman]

I have never had it happen to me before except maybe that guppy that died a while ago.


My daughters preschool has a tank that I stocked with 2 mollies. One was obviously pregnant when we bought her and gave birth less than 2 days after being in the tank. She was fairly small and had about 20 good sized fry. I have never had problems with the moms dying after giving birth and was wondering if it is a normal situation. I brought the male home to watch but have never moved fry that young.
The lady there has tested amonia and nitrites and said the nitrites were a bit high but doesn't know how to fix it. Unfortunatly neither do I. As in one of my previous posts I must have been extreemly lucky since I had seldom tested my water when I had fish before. None of the other tests can be done at this time as we dont have access to the other test kits and it will be a while before anyone will be able to make the trip to get the needed supplies as it is about 80 miles to the nearest lfs other than Wal Mart that does not sell anything in the way of decent kits or other supplies.
My question is...(reiterated)...is it a common occurance for the mother fish to die after birth?

I almost forgot. I was unaware at the time I chose mollies for their tank that their is no way for anyone to get in to feed the fish over the weekends and in just under a month everyone will be gone for spring break. What can be done to make sure these fish don't starve? (right now it is just the fry in the tank.) and how young can you move them? I used to wait till 2 months before i moved my fry to my comunity tank but we are thinking we should reconsider what type of fish if any would be best since they will be left alone aften. I can take the fry when they are old enough to survive being moved.
If this would be better read in a different forum please move it as I don't have much time... I will go tonight if possible but I need to know what to do.


Thanks in advance,
Rob

 

[Bradley]

Sorry to here of your loss Bink.

It is fairly common(i guess), for first time moms to die from stress. If it wasn't a 1st time mom, i have noidea what happened, it could be 1 of many things.

 

[mathman]

It had to be a first time mom since it was so small. What worries me is that I have one aprox. the same size as the one that died that is a lot fatter and don't want to lose her too.

How old should fry be before I can safely move them. Keep in mind I will have to move them only about 5 miles. What is the best way to catch them? Is a regular net ok or what?

 

[Angel Lady]

It had to be a first time mom since it was so small. What worries me is that I have one aprox. the same size as the one that died that is a lot fatter and don't want to lose her too.

How old should fry be before I can safely move them. Keep in mind I will have to move them only about 5 miles. What is the best way to catch them? Is a regular net ok or what?

hey i am sorry to of your lose my molly had her babies last night I just hope my molly dont die she a 24 babies But I have had her for four months now one of the reasons I bought her was because she acted so crazy in the fish tank at the pet store she is really fun to watch. Is your babies doing ok? I dont have anywhere to put mine I have to set up a 10 gallon just for the babies looks like.I took a small lid and caught mine I was worried about the net the lid seem to do fine it dont squeeze them or nothing.Try that and see if works out ok that way they dont get mashed up or anything.

 

[mathman]

All but one of the babies died. My other pregnant mommy died after giving birth also. But, these babies are doing fine though I can only find six as I have a lot more cover for them. My tank has been in distress as i didn't follow my better judgement when setting it up. It is my own fault.

I have since treeted for ick, popeye, and fin and tail rot. Somewhat successfully thanks to Mardels Maracyn-two. Things are much better now.


I have decided with all of the cover for them that it would be better to leave them in the community tank. I don't have anyone to sell the extra fry to so figure I should let nature take it's course and if I get too many I will buy another tank and sepperate the males and females. I am still looking for an alternative but don't see any as of yet.

Wish me good furtune.