My Molly Is Pregnant In A 5 Gallon Tank...

[scrapperluv]

Hi all,
 
I have a 5 gallon tank for my kids. They happened to choose 1 male silver molly and 1 female black.I had no idea these could breed and never thought about it since we're just casual tank owners. So now, Mrs. Black Molly is expecting and I'm not prepared to care for frys.
 
We're all excited to see the babies when they're born, but realistically, how can I help them survive? I only have a 5 gallon aquarium and I doubt I can fit a birthing net in it. I only have 5 fish in this aquarium so maybe the fry will survive? I have 4 tetras (3 neons, 1 ghost, 1 silver with red colored underneath) and one catfish. Daddy Silver Molly panicked upon hearing he had a bunch of babies on the way and he checked out (sadly died). 
 
i don't want the babies to die, but I'm not up for investing in a separate tank. What should I do at this point?

 

[ncguppy830]

k you can get a breeder box and but a bubbler in it along with the fry, as they grow try to find homes for them. sadly livebarers are prolific breeders and can conceive once a month. PS its best to have to females to a male.

 

[scrapperluv]

Will the mom or the tetras in my 5 gallon tank eat the babies? Is that the risk of keeping the babies in the normal tank?

 

[ncguppy830]

well like i said the breederbox will keep the fry safe from its parents.

 

[Paradise3]

Yes but the breeder box will also immensely stress the mother out and could kill her from stress(experience) so I would say leave her in the tank. There is no point saving them really as she will now continue to give birth for up to 6 months on her own. Up to 100 fry every month. Also, you should have 5+ neon tetra's and they are too active for a 5 gallon. All tetra's should be in no less than 10 gallons depending on species. The molly will also outgrow the 5 gallon most likely as she most likely has sailfin molly blood in her genes and sailfins get to 6in so she could reach between 3-6in long which is too big for a 5 gallon unfortunately. Especially since mollies prefer a small group as they are social fish.

 

[ncguppy830]

ah yes should of said something about that, sorry.

 

[attibones]

Unfortunately, your tank is too poorly stocked to do anything but leave the mother in. She will eat a good many of the fry, but this is really a good thing because she will cut down on the clutch size which will increase your chances of not being over run with fry. If you don't want to invest in a larger tank, you'll have to let the mother eat her babies and then find new homes for all the fry. None of your fish should be in this sized tank. Five gallons is good for many small fish, but no schooling fish. Have a read in the freshwater nano section to learn what is appropriate for your tank.

 

[laurac94]

What is the catfish? I'm not sure there are any that are suitable for a 5 gallon. 
I would recommend that you either rehome most of the fish or invest in a new tank, some of the fry may survive but most of them will be eaten within hours of being born.

 

[scrapperluv]

Oh jeez, it looks like we'll have to get a bigger tank soon. The tetras seem very happy and have been alive in there about 4 months. The little catfish is tiny and speckled. I've had it for about a month but don't recall what type it is. 
 
Thanks for all your help! For now I'll let nature take it's course and find homes for any frys that do survive. Bummer!

 

[laurac94]

I would just add..don't ask your local fish shop for advice on fish. Most of them sell unsuitable fish because they know they will either die or you will bring them back, it's all a money making scheme. This isn't true of all fish shops, but alot are. I was once sold a pleco for a 20gal tank and told it would grow to around 5 inches, after a few months and it was 7 inches I had to sell him they grow to over 12 inches!!
The catfish you have may well be a pleco as they are the most common types sold and need a minimum 75 gallon for the common species. Would you be able to upload pics?
I know I'm well off topic here