Please Can You Have A Look At My Molly...

[Katiec]

Hiya

I'm fairly new to keeping tropical fish, so my knowledge isn't great so hopefully you'll be able to help! I've had a silver Molly for about 6 months now and it has been fine with all my other fish. (I have a 180l tank with about 25 fish, about 6 different kinds). About a week ago I bought 2 black Mollies which have settled into the tank fine, but now my silver Molly looks like this

Obviuosly it didn't before! Would you say that it/she is pregnant? If so what is the best thing to do? I've read that it you don't do anything then the chances are that all the fry will get eaten, I'd like them to at least have a chance!

Thanks in advance

Katie

 

[debbs2207]

Hi Katie, does the molly have white stuff (fungus) on it's mouth?

 

[Katiec]

Hi, thanks for replying. I've just had a look, and no there doesn't appear to be anything on its mouth.

 

[sylvia]

Yes, she is pregnant. You can tell she's a girl ebcause she has a fan-shaped anal fin (the single fin under the tail). Males have a tube-like one instead (called a gonopodium and used - you guessed it - for administering sperm).

I think the mouth was just the pic

edit: 180 litres = approx 45 gallons. I don't know what the 25 fish are, but do watch you aren't over-stocking (mollies - especialy females - can grow to 3-4").

To answer your fry question, you can mvoe the female into a breeding tank to give birth or you can try catching the fry and moving them after they are born. Alternatively, get a breeder trap. I wouldn't advocate putting the mother in - but if you can catch the fry, it'll give you a place to put them within the tank where they won't get eaten.
If your tank is relatively heavily planted, some fry will survive anyway (what are all the other fish you have?).

edit again: Check outt eh pinned FAQ topics...

 

[Katiec]

Hiya

Thanks for the reply, I'll have to go and get a breeding trap I think!

I have two angelfish, about 5/6 neon tetras, the 3 mollies, and about 10-15 other small fish (sorry I'm not sure of their type) but I have had them since I set up the tank and they have not grown much, they are about 2cm long each.

I've had a look at the FAQ section and there is some good advice on there

How long are mollies pregnant for? When should I expect fry?

 

[ItsMyThing]

Forget about the plants..... you have 2 angel fish in the tank??? Bye-bye fry

 

[cameron2233]

hi there,
yeah as is said abouve.... oh ooo u got angel fish say bye bye babies. if you have a breeding trap or box put her in that when her gravid spot becomes fairly visible and she looks really fat n pregnant then put her in if you want to save the fry but if no she will have the babies in the tank and all you can do is hope for the best cause the angel fish are fast and fry become a delicasy

goodluck.

my sailfin mollies just has 8 little babies that i found in the morning.

 

[tomo9]

yes she's defo pregnant try to create loads of hiding places to protect the fry from the anglefish as my angles ate all mine

 

[JamonaX]

She is obviously gravid because she has a black spot (gravid spot) right behind her anal fin

 

[InaneCathode]

Forget about the plants..... you have 2 angel fish in the tank??? Bye-bye fry

Bye bye fry? How about bye bye neons and everything else

 

[archamfr]

what are ur plans for the fry ? are u growing them on or can a local shop take em ? unless the shop pays/ u wanna grow them and keep them, i wouldnt bother. i saved most of my fry and am now regretting it as ive spent a fair bit growing them, and now my shop wont pay for them. id go to ur local and ask a few questions before u try and keep them all