INTERESTING PROBLEM.... (any suggestions?)

guppySPRINKLES

guppySPRINKLES

Out to Save the Planet
Sep 30, 2006
23
0
0
Southeastern United States
Hi. I just bought another Balloon Molly at a local pet store yesterday. A couple works there, one in charge of the saltwater and the other in charge of the freshwater. The woman, in charge of the freshwater, has been sick. For this reason, the man just grabbed one and I went on my merry way. Now, for the interesting part...

From the back, the Molly looks quite squarish, which is a "sign" of pregnancy. Well, there is this little white part sticking out. (The fish was like this when I bought it.) I was wondering if it was a male fish with an "interesting problem" or if it is a pregnant Molly...? My tank is about 4 fish over-crowded right now because my 5g filter is broken. Until I can get my filter problem fixed, there are about 4 inches worth of extra fish in my 10g tank. HOWEVER, there are PLENTY of hiding spaces, spots for her/him to relax, and a live plant and rocks/pebbles/small stones for the fry to hide in.

If the Molly is a male...: How do I "fix" his problem?
If the Molly is a female...: Was she in the process of giving birth when he bagged her? If so, will she abort the pregnancy/birthing? Is there a way for her to feel more comfortable with birthing? Will she die for any reason? Is there any way for me to help her along?

Any other directly-related feedback on this situation is welcome as well. Thanks again!

guppySPRINKLES
 
I got a pregnant balloon belly molly once when i bought it at the store and i never noticed any white thing on it...dont know if that helps you or not.

But i do know that she was very aggressive towards the other fish due to the pregnancy. AND i think she ate alot of her babies.
 
guppySPRINKLES said:
My tank is about 4 fish over-crowded right now because my 5g filter is broken. Until I can get my filter problem fixed, there are about 4 inches worth of extra fish in my 10g tank.
Click to expand...

I hope you are not using the inch per gallon rule. So, how many fish are in the tank? You do know that mollies grow much too large for a 5 gallon tank right? Even a 10 gallon is stretching it for more than 1.

As for the one molly, if it has a gonopodium it is a male, if it's anal fin is fan-shaped it is a female.

Can you show us any pics?
 
guppySPRINKLES said:

From the back, the Molly looks quite squarish, which is a "sign" of pregnancy. Well, there is this little white part sticking out. (The fish was like this when I bought it.)
Click to expand...

I Dont have balloon mollies but I have dalmation mollies and the female just gave birth not long ago and I did notice that right before she started having them there was this white thingy sticking out - not that far but noticable. I have noticed that with all of my females that have gotton pregnant and given birth to fry. Not exactly sure what it is but I've seen it.
 
I really agree with the sediment that the 'inch per gallon' rule is not a good way to look at things. Also, I have read that like many of the 'special' kinds of mollies like the ballon molly or the dwarf molly are considered to be a little tougher to deal with since this body type is actually bred from normal mollies long ago to make this version; just like some goldfish, which results in health problems sometimes.

I have also heard the big debate about if a livebearer can change its sex or not and have come to the conclusion that it is really rare for them to do it and even still, they do it at a very young age based upon the male to female ratio in a given area. Females can also 'store' sperm in their bodies from one male so it is possible to have up to 7 batches of fry from just one mating, if I remember that correctly. Thats why people are usually astonished when their sole female molly in a tank has more than one batch of fry.

If you do have a male though, I have noticed that right before and right after giving birth, the male with chase the female around and sort of look like a dog sniffing another dog's butt. I know that sounds totally rediculous, but I dont know how to explain it better and I have seen it done a lot and I can usually find the little fry right after it happens.

If you want to keep the fry, then you do need to seperate them from the adults though so that they dont get mistaken for a snack by mommy and daddy!
 
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