My pair of Sailfin Mollies have had five broods so far, and I have only noticed one male fry out of the bunch. I realize that some of the fry are too young to sex, but what is the normal ratio of males to females? Does it matter that I keep my tanks at 82 F? If so, what temperature produces more males?
Molly Gender Ratio
- Thread starter Porcelina
- Start date
In my experience, it takes a long time (months) before baby mollies show any external sexual differentiation, so I don't know if you waited long enough. With my two large batches of babies (I still have never actually counted them, there were/are so many) I'd guess around 30 each time) there appear to be about the same number of males to females, maybe slightly less males. When their anal fin changes enough so I'm sure they're going to be a male, I move them to the male tank; usually they aren't really acting "male" yet (i.e. they're not yet chasing the females).
I have another sex ratio question: what proportion of female to male mollies do people think it's best to keep together? I know 1:1 is bad, because the male harasses the female too much.
Thanks! Karen in Ithaca, NY
I have another sex ratio question: what proportion of female to male mollies do people think it's best to keep together? I know 1:1 is bad, because the male harasses the female too much.
Thanks! Karen in Ithaca, NY
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carpenter547
The Desert Punk
mollies should be kept with about 3 ladies to every male. the more ladies to males the better it is *think chicken coops*
personally for genetics i would only use one male per tank. cull the males from the broods of fry's. let the ladies pregnancy's pass *they store spooge enough for upto 4 pregnancies* then re introduce the male. after that remove him. then next time you need want fry's get another male *or better yet set up a second tank and do the above but leave one male from each tank to cross over into other tank.
personally for genetics i would only use one male per tank. cull the males from the broods of fry's. let the ladies pregnancy's pass *they store spooge enough for upto 4 pregnancies* then re introduce the male. after that remove him. then next time you need want fry's get another male *or better yet set up a second tank and do the above but leave one male from each tank to cross over into other tank.