Breeding(For a Newbie)

[Red_Herring_]

Hello everyone,
I tried reading about fish breeding on the net, but I found so many conflicting views. I tried to find the exact name of my species, but all I I know are that they are Mollies, and they were labeled "Cremecicle" at the petstore.

Well my question:
I thought she was just getting fat, but turns out she was pregnant. It was too late to isolate the mother, and by the time I discovered she was pregants, she had already launched her fry's. I only have 3 adults in tha tank 2 females and a male. They have been paying more attention to each other than the fry. I observed for 45 minutes, and I noticed that there were no casualites. I rushed out to the pet store to buy some wirey plants to float at the surface of the tank. I can't isolate them, ther too fast and too small.

The fry have ample hiding places, and have a good appetite. The tank is at 83degrees, 20 gallons, treated with the slime coat stuff, and at Ph of 7.6. What else can i do to nurture them? Should the water go harder or softer?(it's not really either at the moment) To complicate matters, the initial 3 mollies I had were the fish that i bought to begin stablalizing the tnk, and it's No2 cycle. Arghh! I hope I'm not forgettign any variables.

I'm as confused, and desperate as I sound. I just want the little guys (and thier parents to thrive). Advice, and specific species requirements would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks for any help you guys can offer.

 

[bigfish]

Do you have a tank testing kit for ammonnia, nitrite, nitrate, Ph? always handy and very essential when keeping fish.

Everything might look fine but take a closer look and test the water it gives you a whole new picture.

 

[LesGerber]

Red,
If you got alot of cover in your tank for the fry to hide in then I personally would leave them in there untill the adults figure it out and get a case of the munchies. Just make sure when you feed the fish to crumble up some flake real fine and it will get to them im most cases.
As bigfish suggested you should get a test kit to check water params but I would think that they wouldnt give birth in water that is too bad. They werent under too much stress to go into labor so the water might be pretty good. Just keep an eye on them and makes sure they are taken care of


HTH


Les