I Have New Baby Balloon Mollies!

[Sharon B]

Hi All... I'm a new poster...
I am so excited... My Balloon Mollies have just given birth for the first time!
I have a couple questions for those of you who have experience in breeding these awesome fish.
My male is pure white and the female is pure black in color. What colors do you think the babies will be?
Also, can I expect all of them to be Balloons or could some of them develop into regular Mollies???
THANK YOU!!
Sharon B

 

[LauraFrog]

I've never kept balloon mollies, so not sure on the shapes, but I think it's a distinct strain. If the female has been in a tank with other males, she may have sperm from several males inside her, which will give a mix of colours and shapes.

Pure white and pure black will probably mean a mix of black, white, grey, and grey/white with black markings - I have made that cross before with regular mollies, very nice results but most of the fry died I still have a few, they're four months old.

 

[Sharon B]

I've never kept balloon mollies, so not sure on the shapes, but I think it's a distinct strain. If the female has been in a tank with other males, she may have sperm from several males inside her, which will give a mix of colours and shapes.

Pure white and pure black will probably mean a mix of black, white, grey, and grey/white with black markings - I have made that cross before with regular mollies, very nice results but most of the fry died I still have a few, they're four months old.

Thank you for the info on colors. In looking at them they do seem to be just as you say; white, grey and darker grey, some look mottled. Sorry to hear that you lost some of your babies. It is always a worry. So far mine seem fine and happy... eating well and even socializing with miscellaneous tank mates. I am hoping for the best. Thank you again!!

 

[LauraFrog]

Good luck! I've had much better luck with my platy fry... one of my mollies is virgin and I don't have a male, and the other seems to have problems. She's aborted twice, and of her first drop only four fry survived.

If your females have been mixing with all males at the pet shop, you might get some other colours as well.