New Mommy Syndrome...

[SodeeMama]

My little gold dust molly just had a batch of babies... for all you seasoned pros out there, here are some novice questions:

1. Is it typical that my molly will give birth to some fry that have not hatched? If so, will they hatch? Or are they duds? If they do not hatch, should I remove the eggs from the breeding box (or leave a virtual brunch for the other hatchlings?)

2. Are the unhatched eggs a sign of stress on the mother?

3. Food....what can I feed to the little guys? How much?

4. How much "care" can be too much? Meaning... how hardy are the molly/platy fry in general?

I also noticed she gave birth to about 4 fry in about 2 hours, then dispensed the rest in a flurry not too soon after...normal?

Oh, and if any of you have some helpful pointers or advice, it will be truly respected and appreciated :bowing: !

Thanks a bunch,

Liz

 

[Oddball~]

1: Mollies don't lay eggs, though... They are livebearers, meaning they give birth to LIVE fish

2: See number 1

3: Fry foods, or crushed flake foods. Crush flake food in a ziploc bag and take a toothpick, and use the toothpick like a spoon. One toothpick (1/4" of the toothpick) will suffice for 12 hours

4: They are very hardy.

 

[Harlock]

It's not at all uncommon for molly fry to be birthed with a yolk sac, but unhatched eggs? If these truly are unhatched eggs, then I would say yes, the mother termed her pregnancy due to some stress. I never ever use a net breeder or breeder box. They should be marketed as death traps because otherwise healthy and happy birthing mothers are placed in them and they then give birth to stillborn fry. Yes, it is true you will lose some fry in open tank birthing, but you can increase your odds with plenty of hiding places and lots of plants, either fake or real. In a breeder box you can lose an entire batch of fish.. I'd rather take my chances with instincts and spearate the fry after they are dropped. Oddball's advice was all sound. I used crushed flakes for baby fish. I also use the toothpick method to feed (I have stubby fingers and a pinch of crushed food is too much.) As for what is normal, every fish is different, I am afraid. I have some fish that just pop em out and some that take time. Others I've never seen birth because they do it when I am not in the room.

 

[virangos]

For my Molly and Sword fry I have good luck using OSI Press On Nibblers.
They stick on the glass for the fish to come up and feed on.
For Fry I take half of one and crush it between my fingers. The stuff turns to dust so even the smallest fish can eat. Good Luck "mom".

 

[SodeeMama]

I've wanted to let my little fry out of their newborn grow "net", & I did initially let them swim freely in their "natural" enviroment. However the filter served as a vacuum...the first borns were sucked mercilessly into the bowels of the system.

Ah...the neurosis of being a TAD bit retentive with your firstborns. Whatya gonna do?!

 

[Harlock]

I've wanted to let my little fry out of their newborn grow "net", & I did initially let them swim freely in their "natural" enviroment. However the filter served as a vacuum...the first borns were sucked mercilessly into the bowels of the system.

Ah...the neurosis of being a TAD bit retentive with your firstborns. Whatya gonna do?!

This is where a grow out tank can help you. You use a filter with lower suction and huge intake covers, like a sponge filter for instance.