Sexing Molly Fry...?

Question

I have nineteen month old Silver Molly fry and one two-month old Black Molly fry.

1. What's the earliest I will be able to tell males from females?

2. What is the first obvious sign of gender they will show?

3. Do water conditions, feeding, et cetera affect sex at all?

4. How young do Mollies first become sexually mature?

5. Any other information on this topic. Give me everything you can find that relates.

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I have one adult female Silver Molly and one adult male Black Lyretail Molly. They usually are okay with one another, however, sometimes I catch him chasing her, biting her and depriving her of food. Problem is, I want them to breed. Is he doing this because he doesn't like her? Or is he trying to mate with her? I have her in a breeding net now. I'm afraid to put them together any longer. Again, please try and give me all the information you can find.

Thank you VERY MUCH in advance.
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Ahh. You're right!

Correction: I have nineteen one-month old Silver Mollies.

Thank you for pointing that out!
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Answer 1

You should be able to tell after the first week or two. At 19 months they should be pretty much full grown(5-6 inches) not fry.

Nothing you do can affect the gender of the fish. The first obvious sign of gender is the only obvious sign of gender. Look at the anal fin. If it is fan-shaped it is a female. If is is pointed it is a male.

If the male is chasing the fmale that is normal, but not safe for the female. This is why it is reccomended at least 2 females for every male. 3 is better. This gives the male more targets and allows the females to get some rest. Also make sure the tank is big enough. For 3-5 full grown mollies you need at least 30 gallons. For 1 you need at least 20 gallons.

Answer 2

Hey there my friend Pam breeds mollys and she knows alot about them....she has even tought me some. i myself cannot keep plants or fish alive.....but I do know that the male mollys have a poky fin in the rear underneith and the females have a more rounded one. As soon as you can see them clearly seeing as how they are so small you will be able to tell sex. I have never heard of water conditions affecting sex. Water quality though could make your fish sick causing them not to breed if they get sick. Also my friend's mollys began breeding after about three weeks to a month.....now thta might not be standard but thats what hers do anyway. I do know that they will sometimes break off into pairs sometimes too and keep breeding togehter. They will commonly nip and chase eachother when they breed. i've seen them do this. I rely on my friend for all my animal questions cause she is into it so much. Hope this has been helpful

Answer 3

19 months is too old for breeding and 2 months is too early for breeding.

mollies are best to breed after 6 months till 15 months. their life span is 2 years only. whoever some of them can live upto 3 years also if proper care given.

Answer 4

some one has misinterpreted what u typed.You say that u hav nineteen month old silver molly fry...but u meant: 19 ONE month old silver molly.....

Answer 5

6 weeks!!