Unexpected Balloon Molly Fry!

[AngKat]

I'm totally new to tropical fish and on Saturday, I bought a Dalmatian balloon Molly. I had no idea she was pregnant till last night when I start seeing fry fall out of her! Obviously we weren't prepared for this, so we filled a little Tupperware tub with some gravel and tank water and managed to catch 14 fry in there and cover with some netting. It's now sitting at the bottom of the tank. My lfs didn't have a breeding net or box so I've ordered one online. I did get some fry food though. So my questions are...

How long should I leave them in the breeding box?

How often should I feed them?

At what age can I rehome them as my tank is no way big enough for so many fish?!

2 of the fry look like they only have 1 eye, is that normal?

How can I tell if a balloon Molly is pregnant. Wondering now if my other new one might be!

Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance

 

[PlatyQueen]

1. 3 days at the most.

2. at this age, a VERY small amount twice a day.

3. when they develoup color and get a little bigger.

4. It won't be clear until they are bigger, but be prepared incase there is a problem.

5. Pregnant fish usually have a dark belly, but on a balloon molly that is the easiest way to tell since... well you know!!

Hope this helped!! Research may also be of some use!!

 

[AngKat]

Thank you for your reply. Won't they still be too small after 3 days? The other fish are already trying to get at them in the breeding box.

I came home from work tonight to see over 60 fry in my breeding box which my OH had caught! I've no idea which fish they came from. I'm guessing the dalmation balloon molly could drop another load after a day, so it must be either my white ballon or platy. I think my balloon molly looks smaller but the fry seem to have the colour of the platy! Added some pics, what do you think....

Fish fry!

Balloon molly yesterday...

Balloon molly today...

Platy yesterday...

Platy today...

 

[tmh0921]

I believe that's a male platy, so the fry wouldn't be from him congrats on the babies!

 

[chickennuggets123]

1. So they are big enough to not get eaten by other tank mates.


2. 2-3 times a day, powder down flake food. And gradually get bigger.


3. 2 months old, at least.

4. Sure its not just colouring? Wait till their eyes are big enough to see.


5. Fat...

 

[LucyB]

That is a male platy, so I don't think the fry came from him

 

[AngKat]

That's a male??? I told them I wanted a female platy!! Doh! Thanks guys

 

[comocrayfish5]

haha if those babies came from the male platy.... wow thats wrong..hhahahah!
the babies are cute but are on the thin side, feed them 2-3 tines a day or until they have rounded bellies