How Long Are Female Molly Fish Pregnant in the USA
Mollies 50-70 days.
How long does molly fish stay pregnant?
As I’ve mentioned above, mollies are usually pregnant for a period anywhere from 20 to 40 days (average 30 days). Of course, that would be how long they’ll last from conception to birth. But before this period, there is usually a courtship period between the male and female molly, which can last another couple of days.
How do I know when my molly fish will give birth?
Look for the gravid spot on the fish’s abdomen near the rear tail. The spot should appear large and dark when her eggs are fertilized. You will know your fish is close to giving birth when the spot becomes nearly black. Some fish may show white spots instead of black.
Will mollies eat their babies?
Cannibalism is normal with mollies and other livebearers like guppies and platys. As fecund as they are, you don’t really need to worry about saving every last one.
What is the lifespan of molly fish?
The molly fish lifespan is two to five years. This freshwater fish is not known to live a long life. Their lifespan actually depends on the environment you provide when keeping them as a pet. The water conditions impact the lifespan of mollies as they are prone to diseases if the water conditions are poor.
How long do fish stay pregnant?
As examples, the female swordtail and guppy will both give birth to anywhere from 20 to 100 live young after a gestation period of four to six weeks, and mollies will produce a brood of 20 to 60 live young after a gestation of six to 10 weeks.
Can Mollies change gender?
Mollies are not able to change gender. The gender of these fish is determined by their genetics so it is impossible for them to change sex.
How many babies do mollies have at once?
They can give birth to between 40 and 100 fry. Mollies that are young or are having one of their first few pregnancies will tend to give birth to a smaller rather than larger number of fry. When a molly female is near her time to give birth, you will need to separate her from the rest of the tank.
Will baby fish survive in my tank?
Not necessarily. Many fish breed very easily and produce great numbers of offspring, simply because very few will survive to adulthood. The more fish in your tank, the more you will need to feed them, the more feces they will produce and the harder your filtration system will have to work.
Are female mollies bigger than males?
Female mollies have bulky figures; they’re wider than males at the rear of the abdomen for breeding purposes. When pregnant, she will take on a bulging, lumpy appearance. Her fins are shorter; the anal fins are triangular.
How often do molly fish give birth?
Once the female is impregnated, she can give birth to as many as five or more broods of young at intervals of four to six weeks. The number of each brood may vary from 12 to 15 babies from a young Mollie to as many as 150 young from a large swordtail.
How do mollies mate?
The Basic Mating Behavior of Black Mollies When black mollies mate, the male will transfer milt, the fluid that contains his sperm, into the female’s body using is gonopodium. The gonopodium is a special anal fin that is shaped like a rod rather than a normal fin.
How do you know when fish are pregnant?
As your female fish becomes pregnant, she will grow a bulge at the back of her abdomen. This typically appears over the course of 20-40 days. Does your fish have a red or black spot? Sometimes, when a female fish is pregnant, she will develop a “gravid spot” on the abdomen.
How do you tell if a molly fish is a boy or a girl?
However, the most accurate way to distinguish male mollies from female mollies is to examine the anal fin, located on the underside of the body, between the pectoral fins and the tail. Those possessing fanlike anal fins are females.
Can mollies crossbreed?
Albeit there being several varieties of molly fish, they all can be mated because regardless of the color or fin configuration, they are the same species, and any male will readily fertilize with all females. So, put simply, different colors and shapes of mollies are still the same fish and will readily breed.
Can I keep two male mollies together?
Mollies tend to stick together most of the time, which is why you should keep them in groups of 4 or more. If you are planning to keep more than 4 mollies, make sure you get a 20-gallon tank at least. Since male mollies are aggressive breeders, adding more females should divert the males’ attention between them.
How many mollies should be kept together?
Keeping Molly Fish Together You should keep them in groups of at least four or more, they naturally stick together. The group should be made of mostly females since males are known to harass them.
What do I do if my fish is pregnant?
The female can be placed back into the main tank once she has given birth and the fry can be raised in the breeding trap or a larger breeding net. Ideally, pregnant females should be placed on their own in a separate aquarium with lots of feathery plants where they can give birth in a stress-free environment.
How do you stop mollies from breeding?
How to Avoid Unwanted Fish Breeding in Your Tank Buy only one gender of fish, preferably males. If you don’t have male and female fish together, there is less chance for baby fish to appear. Choose egg-laying species rather than live bearers. Adjust tanks conditions to make breeding less comfortable.