What happened to my pregnant molly?

[Stacey269]

I'm trying to figure out what happened to my pregnant molly. She had given birth at the end of January, and there were 10 babies. At the end of Feb, she was very big again, so this time I put her in a breeding net expecting babies. After about 4 days, she was so stressed out, and so was her male companion, that I put her back in the tank. After a couple of days, her belly went down, but not all the way as if she'd had them, but there were no babies. Now it's the middle of March, and she still looks somewhat fat, but still no babies. Can anyone tell me what could have happened? Should I expect any babies anytime soon?

 

[snowyangel]

Please dont keep your fish in a breeder trap for that length of time again. Your female got stressed b/c that's a small area meant for birth giving to give her isolation and time to relax when she's feels stressed/bothered by other fish. Putting her in there before she's due could have cause her to abort pregnancy and cause the opposite effect of relaxation. The max time i keep my females in the breeder trap is around 5-7 hrs max. After that time i let her out, sometimes she'll have more babies the second i do because she feels more comfortable in the open, but its better then leaving her in the trap to abort them. Just some info for next time

Anyways, now your females fat again and most likely pregnant since most livebearers are able to store a males sperm for numerous times. Dont worry, you should be expecting more fry soon Good luck with the next set of fry.

 

[Glee]

Morning, I agree. Don't leave your female in the breed trape from very long. Many times I have taken the female out. Like Snowyangel, as soon as you take her out she has her babies. I don't put her back in the main tank. Instead I set up a small, 1 gal tank, and place her in there. I have a better change of saving the babies. But I don't let her stay in there either. If she doesn't have the babies within a day or so, I put her back in the main tank and take my chances. Good luck with your Momma..Glee

 

[guppymonkey]

Mollies should NEVER be put in breeding traps. They are much too big for traps. Like any fish they become very stressed out when placed in such tiny spaces. Its like locking a claustrophobic in a foot locker.

The pregnant molly obviously became so stressed that she reabsorbed the fry into her body. She sounds like she is pregnant again. This time I would suggest getting a separate fry tank and have her give birth in that tank instead of a trap. She will be more calm and there is a chance that she could give birth to more fry if she is under less stress.

 

[mugwuch]

I agree too. All of my pregnant fish now stay in the main tank. I have found that either putting them in a breeder, or putting them in a hastily set up breeding tank has dire consequences. I have now heavily planted out my tank, and I have loads of fry, largely ignored by the other inhabitants of the tank. Platty fry are smaller than mollies, and there are lots of them hiding under the plant pots and bogwood too! It's just a case of keeping them all as comfortable as possible. I do however, have one mollie that is incredibly tolerant, and will stand just about all kinds of changes to her environment, and still squirt fry like no tommorow. You'll soon be used to them... Don't worry. The baby thing becomes easier in time. You'll end up like me..FAR TO MANY..

 

[Stacey269]

Thank you all for your advice. I know better now. What happens when they reabsorb the fry into their bodies?

 

[Samage]

I have a smaller tank, which, when I used to breed stuff like platies, I converted into a GIANT breeder trap by adding a layer of 5mm plastic mesh around 1 inch from the bottom to the tank......I could keep fish in it for 2 days before stress set in....handy....best bit is, any companions could come along too....

 

[Stacey269]

Thank you all for your advice. I know better now. What happens when they reabsorb the fry into their bodies?