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Molly Pregnancy Questions

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kcaskew

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Hey guys, I'm new to Mollies, and need a little help.

1 black Molly I got is very large and round. She is very restless. I know she is pregnant, I just don't know how far along she is.

The other black Molly is smaller, but she also appears round. She eats a lot but she is more calm and lays down a lot.

Both have a very prominent white oval type area on their anus area. Is this a sign of pregnancy?

Also, how will I know they are in labor? I can't see their underbellies, so I can't tell if they are boxed off or not. (They both stay close to the bottom of the tank. The smaller one tends to hide behind the sponge filter, below the heater.)

These are best pics I have of their white areas, and their bellies.
 

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I’m not sure but that tank looks vary bare? If there pregnant you should certainly have some hiding places for the fry(baby fish) or the adult fish will eat them

Personally I don’t think those fish look very healthy either
 
Last edited:
fishyfun&fans said:
I’m not sure but that tank looks vary bare? If there pregnant you should certainly have some hiding places for the fry(baby fish) or the adult fish will eat them

Personally I don’t think those fish look very healthy either
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You are only seeing a very small part of the tank, I have floating leaves so the fry can hide. An, the tank itself looks a little cloudy due to the age, that's the glass. The fish themselves are healthy.
 
Also, the pictures are not the best. They are screenshots from video, because they don't stay still long enough to get good photos. Maybe that's why they don't look healthy? I can try for better regular pictures. I just chose these brother show the bellies and the white oval area on the anus.
 
fishyfun&fans said:
Is that a mass of rotting food in the bottom of the tank? If so it needs cleaning
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Its not rotting, I just put that in about 5 minutes before I took the photos. Between the guppies, mollies, and snails, as well as being vacuumed every other day, I can assure you, the tank is healthy, as well as the fish.

I appreciate your concern though! I expect to be questioned when speaking with other fish lovers such as myself! :)
 
fishyfun&fans said:
No problem sorry if I seemed snappy

Just blame it on me being a crazy fish man haha
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Absolutely not! You are fine! I greatly appreciate the concern! I have seen tanks in rough state, and it breaks my heart! I adore fish, and I am learning to breed them. I would only expect questions and concern! :)
 
That said, please understand that stressed livebearers can hang on to their young, sometimes to further detriment.
@fishyfun&fans makes a good point with the absence of plants. These would not only provide refuge for any fry, but they also give the fish a sense of security and so reduce stress.
It appears your tank has no substrate, for whatever reason, but plants do not have to be planted in a substrate to serve their purpose.
Even some cheap Elodea, Cabomba or Millfoil would suffice.
 
kcaskew said:
What do you need a clearer shot of? I can try to get it for you!
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The fish.
A contrasting background should help the camera focus, although an all-black Molly is a tricky subject for a camera.
(Please don't do what some do in similar circumstances and place the fish in a glass...the less stressed the fish is, the better).
 
Bruce Leyland-Jones said:
The fish.
A contrasting background should help the camera focus, although an all-black Molly is a tricky subject for a camera.
(Please don't do what some do in similar circumstances and place the fish in a glass...the less stressed the fish is, the better).
Click to expand...
Ok, here are the 2 mollies. And this is the tank they are in, as well as the plants and a hatchery ready to go. I don't do breeding boxes because it stresses the fish too much!
 

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Much more useful photos and that 'tatty' look was simply out-of-focus natural mottling.
The fish actually seem okay and the white patch is, as you've guessed, indicative of pregnancy.
Gestation depends upon a number of factors, one of which I've already hinted at, but it could be anything from 5 to 11 weeks. Think of 7 or 8 as an average.

I will repeat my concern re the lack of plants. That sad clump hanging in the corner doesn't really count. ;)

What is your aversion to the green stuff?
 
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