Balloon Molly Pregnant? also appears to be distressed

Hello!

My first ever time reaching out to the fish community for some help. My Balloon Molly (Spot) who has previously had fry appears to be pregnant (Although I'm unsure). Spot has the 'birthing canal' which looks like a white tube near her anal fin. She's white and very reflective so I cannot see the fry in her. I need to know if she's pregnant to help figure if she needs medication. She's been very lethargic and is hiding near the filter which isn't like her. (My sassy angle fish has been bullying her today which she wouldn't normally back down from but she's terrified of the angle fish today). Spot has been breathing heavily, is she just pregnant or is there another problem I can treat with medication?!?!

I've put her in a breeder box for now just incase as the angle was going for her a lil too much for my comfort.

She also normally has a big belly - typical of balloon mollies - but it is very big compared to normal. I have attached photos.

ANY HELP I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR!!!!

Thanks,
Sophie

She looks squared off which could point to pregnancy but in one of the photos her scales appear to be raised. If you look at her from above do her scales stick put like a pinecone? What are your water parameters? (I always ask this last question lol)

JuiceBox52 said:

She looks squared off which could point to pregnancy but in one of the photos her scales appear to be raised. If you look at her from above do her scales stick put like a pinecone? What are your water parameters? (I always ask this last question lol)

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Thank you for replying!!! Her scales aren’t, they’re flat. I ended up having to isolate my angel fish because he was going for poor Spot for a solid twenty mins and I could see her getting tired. She seems to have perked up and is less distressed. My water test trip I just did which I’ve attached the top one looks off but is actually 25 (safe) in person just flash makes it look a bit more like 50 lol

again thank you so much!

Pretty sure she's just pregnant

Yes she is pregnant, try not to buy these fish again though they are a man made molly with internals smaller.

Thank you!! When should I put her in the breeder box do you think? I originally asked for a normally molly which I have called sushi and Spot jumped in the bag and they gave her to me for free. Not gonna go back there again, as they weren’t the nicest fish shop I’ve been to aha!

keat814 said:

Thank you!! When should I put her in the breeder box do you think? I originally asked for a normally molly which I have called sushi and Spot jumped in the bag and they gave her to me for free. Not gonna go back there again, as they weren’t the nicest fish shop I’ve been to aha!

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Breeder box make molly stress, dont put her in there instead just make hiding place for her.

Barry Tetra said:

Breeder box make molly stress, dont put her in there instead just make hiding place for her.

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okay. Thanks again!! I’ll make more hiding places for her

After the fry are born you can net them out (or even better, scoop them out with a paper cup) and put the fry in the breeder box or another tank