Balloon mollies behaviour

[judan]

Hi everyone, ive got 5 balloon mollies in a new tank, did all the proper tests and everythin and have continued to do so since the fish went in. A couple of days a go one of my female mollies gave birth to about 30 fry, im not wanting to breed and got advised by the pet shop man that the mollies would regulate the tank themselves and so not to worry about taking the fry out. However, there is still around 14 fry that have survived and are not in the least bit scared or shy about swimming out in the open, the problem is however that the adult mollies, all 5 of them have cowered away into a corner at the back of the tank and wont come out into the open at all, they re not even interested at feeding time. Is it possible that they feel intimadated by the big number of fry schooling together? today the ammonia had risen to 0.25 so i did a 25% water change.Anyone with any ideas as to what might be the problem would be very welcomed!

Thanks!

 

[jm1212]

how big is your tank?

what is the temperature of the tank?

it sounds like your tank is going through its cycle. you are going to need to test the water every day and when the ammonia and/or nitrite gets to 0.5, you will need to do a 50% water change.

the fry are usually picked off by the other fish in the tank, but it also depends on how big the other fish are- molly fry are pretty big for fry.

 

[judan]

Our tank is 36l, temperature set at around 26-27 (varies a little day or night).

We thought that the cycle had started, but were concerned as the mollys had been very happy and active up until the fry came to town!

We'll test again tommorow and do a water change if neccesary.

Would you reccomend removing the fry? Could they be the problem or is it more likely just the effects of the ammonia?

Thanks!

 

[jm1212]

they could be a little crowded in your tank, especially after the fry were added, and that could be causing them to be stressed and hide in the corners. the cycle they are going through it probably contributing to it also.

 

[judan]

Today the ammonia was 0.5 so i did another 25% water change same as yesterday. The 5 balloon mollies are still hiding constantly and not moving, just swimming on the spot (if that makes sense!). They are a little more active with the lights off and hide more when the lights are on, why would this be!?

There are still 6 or 7 fry alive and they seem happy with plenty of energy and swimming in open water.

Is there anything else we can do to help the adult mollies besides regular testing+water changes?

Thanks!

 

[DarthPookie]

At the risk of causing a threadjack, can someone recommend a good fish to keep in a community tank that would help in controlling molly fry? I have two balloon mollies that do it like jackrabbits and wind up with fry. I don't know how many she is actually having, but when I notice I have more fry it is usually three or four at a time hiding in plants. I have intentionally kept a few to raise them. The other fish I have in my tank are boesmani rainbowfish. Maybe they are munching on a few already and I don't notice?