Ritual Or Violence?

[random919]

I have 3 mollies, 1 male and 2 female in my 70L tank. we are hoping for babies soon but the male seems to be chasing just one of the females around. She is now very off character as she is normally out at the front of the tank but today she is at the back hiding at the top of the tank either near the filter or the heater so she can't be seen. Is that a mating ritual or is he bullying her?
thanks
random919

[EDIT] He is still chasing her and she looks distressed. what can i do?

 

[OldMan47]

It sounds like a female getting close to her drop date. The male will chase her constantly but she will need a rest so she will hide. The whole point to any mating is to perpetuate the genes of the parents. No female is as easy to inseminate with success as one that has just dropped her fry, so males become quite insistent at that stage.

 

[random919]

she doesn't look pregnant at all. she isn't fat or squaring off like they normally do. do they sometimes stay smaller and still have their babies