Squared Off

[Giantdny]

Ok so I'm a little confused. Does the term squared off describe the front to back section of the abdomen or should I be looking to width being square? or both? I've seen the pictures still each fish is different. Thanks for any input!

 

[OldMan47]

Please have a look at the thread that I link to in my signature area. I have the link called My Molly's Progress and it gives a picture every few days throughout a normal gestation. The shape we are talking about is clearly shown by the pictures there.

 

[Giantdny]

Thanks oldman. I've looked at your thread several times. Ive seen my mollys drop before they were as "square" as yours. Thats why i asked the question about Width. I have two large mollies now and one dropped on April 5th so im trying to track her like yours. also I've purchased a dalmation Molly that looks to be at least 1 or 2 weeks ahead of my Molly that dropped on the 5th.

 

[OldMan47]

The squared off term applies best to a fish showing both front and back squarishness to its abdomen. In deeper bodied fish like many of the goodeids, the change to the front is not as obvious but the rear part of the abdomen definitely gets square as the day approaches. For goodeids, the typical gestation is closer to 60 days and the fry are much larger.

 

[Giantdny]

Ok thanks. My dalmation Molly had babies today. I was able to round up 8 after I got home And saw tat she was skinny. Soooo 60 days for mollies? I thought 30 to 40. I saw yours was 42?

 

[OldMan47]

Mine was 42 days but that is not all gestation time. The actual gestation for a molly is close to 30 days but each new drop does not start developing immediately after the last drop.

 

[Giantdny]

Perfect thanks so much. I went back and looked at you post again after you replied to mine last night and I think I figured it out. Thanks for your help!