Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and haven't had livebearers in 40 years (except for a few guppies a teacher gave my 5 year old). I recently purchased what I think is a pregnant molly and a pregnant swordtail. They are in a 55 gallon community tank and I would prefer not to have the fry consumed. I think the birth experience might be a good learning experience or my daughter, but I want to make sure the fish are cared for properly.

First of all, are they pregnant? Second, any idea how soon will they drop? What is best way to protect the young, net birth cage or similar? I'd prefer not to set up another tank (at least not yet); my wife is reeling from our 4 tanks, two terrariums, and cricket keeper as it is. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve

Ps, I purchased the swordtail, even though her tail is a bit picked at, figured it was pregnant and I wanted the babies.

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Welcome to the forum.

I cannot comment on the top picture, I would like to see it with the fins unclamped.

The bottom is of a pretty rough looking female. If she was with males then she was probably hit. However, she looks pretty thin and young. I would guess with good feeding she will recover her damaged fins in pretty short order. Once recovered she should generate a batch of fry or two. This may take a month or two before she does.

It depends on the community fish that you have if the fry would survive in a community tank. If you have a bunch of Cory catfish and dwarf tetras they may do alright. If you have other fish like Cichlids they will probably not last very long. You can use an in tank breeder net when she gets really big and is about to drop, try to keep her time in the net as short as possible. Use the biggest net you can find and then put something like Najas grass in it or some floating plastic plants for cover.

Thanks for the reply. Below is a photo of her (I assume it's a her) with her fin unclamped. She is much more squared off in front than her tank mate shown above her.

As for the swordtail, I purchased her at a LFS two days ago. She was indeed in a tank full of other fish, and many male swords. But she was only $1.99 and pregnant (so the local fish guy said), so I figured why not. . . .

As for the tank, there are a few cichlids (Firemouths) in with them. All rocks, no plants due to the cichlids digging them up.

Thanks again for the help!

Steve

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This is my own squared off molly, same fins and colors as yours, the day before she dropped her fry.


As you can tell, she was in with her fry.

I hope you can see the difference between the shape of your fish and what I call squared off. The main difference is back around the vent area. Your fish is plenty big in the front.

Well, she had her fry last night/this morning, at least 8 that I can find so far.

I noticed she was hiding in the main tank two days ago and put her into a separate tank. The tank hadn't finished cycling yet, but I thought she and any potential young would be better off separated from her hungry tank mates. Now she's back in the main tank again and is happily swimming with her friends.

A couple of questions. As the tank hadn't quite finished cycling, how best to keep the fry healthy? Ammonia is .25 ppm and nitrites are spiking. All else are reasonable. I did a partial water change (that's when I noticed she was no longer showing). I have used a cycle starter to get things going, but its rather slow. Any other suggestions?

As for food, I'm grinding up some flakes and dried blood worms. The little guys are lurking in the corner of the tank among some plants, I assume they will find the food, right?

Thanks for the help for this beginner.

Steve

Steve,

That was quick. If you just have the fry in the tank and you have live plants I would suggest light feeding of the fry. Do some pretty substantial water changes, 50% and you shouldn't have too much of a problem.

Fry don't produce much waste and if you feed lightly you should not have too much of an issue with cycling.

Thanks for the advice!

They seem to be growing already, dull grey yesterday to a vibrant yellow/orange today. At least a dozen cruising the tank that I can spot!

Up to 16 now out of the weeds and swimming confidently. My daughter loves to watch and count them, only she's worried they'll miss their mommy. Good teaching experience!

The fry will not miss their mommy. They stand a better chance of surviving if she is not present. Mollies are not people nor are they very much like our familiar mammals like cats or dogs. The adults are predators and do not hesitate to prey on their own fry. Congrats on the fry drop photohutch, I wish you all the best caring for your new fry.