What can I do about my Molly?

Question

I have a dalmation Molly that's been pregnant for a while now and she still hasnt given birth. She was in the tank by herself for a while because I lost the other Molly I had with her. I recently bought some new tank mates for her and she was doing alright with them. Yet she still hasnt given birth. Is she too stressed now? None of the other fish ever bothered her or chased her. Then I noticed today that she's been acting really weird.

Here are two videos of her:

- http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/closetpenguin/My%20Babies/?action=view¤t=MOV07633.flv

- http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/closetpenguin/My%20Babies/?action=view¤t=MOV07632.flv

Actually, this tank isnt that small. Plus, I have another one on hand to avoid overcrowding. One of the corners of that tank is heavily planted to protect the fry.

The only fish I have in the tank are Mollies and Guppies.

Yes, the Molly in the video is a female.

Yes, I did a 10% water change earlier this morning. I have been adding aquarium salt every once and a while.

Answer 1

Well, first off, you can't induce labor like in humans, so she will have her babies when she is ready. Your tank may not seem overcrowded now, but with the addition of the fry, it will be overcrowded then. Another thought, there is a species of mollies, including dalmatians, called pot-bellied mollies. You could have a pot-belly and it may not be pregnant at all. I guess only time will tell this one. I know you said that one area of the tank have some plants, but you have a very inhospitable environment for your fish and mollies especially like a heavily-planted, algae-laden tank. Algae is a very important part of a molly's diet, so aside from any pregnancy issues, for her health, you need more plants and some algae. As they like brackish water anyway, you may want to think about getting her and her fry their own tank and making it a brackish water tank. I am also concerned about her swimming motions. She appears to be "flashing," which means that she may have parasites. You may want to add some salt to the water. Mollies prefer saltwater anyway, and it won't hurt fish if you use it in the right proportions and it will help kill parasites and relieve stress. Don't use table salt. Use aquarium salt. Don't add directly to the water. Pre-mix first. Add according to directions. Good luck!

Answer 2

Congrats on being a parent, maybe,

I'm a little concerned about the swimming pattern of the molly also. how did you loose the other fish (and was it male). I have very productively breed hundreds of molly babies in the past, and that swimming might be a bad sign. I wonder if it is an enlarged digestive track or infection. If a fish is contently trying to rub it self on the tank that may be a skin disease. Are you sure it is female? The males have a straight lower fin, the females a more broad one if I remember correctly.


I had bought about 10 mollies for a 20 gallon tank. After a year, move them, and the hundreds of babies into a 45 gallon. I later added some African Ciclids for fun. They cleaned up all the little fry and dropped the population down very quickly. The ciclid still rule the tank, and they are now about 4 years old.

Answer 3

She's not acting too odd. She's ready. That net will not protect the babies from her. Once they are out, get her out or she'll eat them.
That's a small tank! I'd worry about overcrowding. I don't see any plants (plastic or real) and these fish need that. Also these fish need to be in schools of at least 4-6 of their own kind. The guppies look stressed. Did I also see a White Cloud?

Answer 4

i might flow with Molly Jan, only via fact that is extra unpredicted. Molly Ann has slightly extra ideal of a valid to it, yet Ann is this variety of filler, boring style of center call. i might think of roughly using an prolonged center call, via fact Ann and Jan are the two very harsh. you should flee with a one syllable center call if it has an prolonged vowel sound. Molly Rain or Molly June are lots softer than Ann or Jan. Molly Regina, Molly Elizabeth, Molly Olivia, or Molly Fiona might additionally be very superb selections.

Answer 5

Have you done a water change recently? the water doesn't look at its best. I think the molly might have swim bladder from the way she is swimming, are you adding aquarium salt to the water?

Answer 6

I have the suspition that this may be swimbladder, I would treat for it just in case unless someone else says no way