Mollie pregnant I think

Brautswife · New member Joined: 12 Mar 2005 Posts: 1

I have a black mollie I was told when I bought her about 2 to 3 weeks ago that she is prenant & will have her babies soon. Well still no babies I have her in a net thing to make sure the other fish won't eat them when it is time. She does have a big belly bigger then the other female one but I don't know when or how to tell when it will be close. Please help me.

grnlemonade · Super Senior Member Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 1027

hmmm, im not sure how lnog it takes, but i think for livebearers maybe a month or so to have the fry....but be careful to remove her right after, because she and other fish if they get the chance, will eat the fry.

OneWolvesDream · Super Senior Member Joined: 10 Apr 2004 Posts: 1175

Are you possitive you have not missed the birth? A female livebearer can still have her pregnant sighns for a month to 40 days after giving birth which can throw off your thoughts of the birth. I would say remove her from the tank and put her in a new fishtank where she will b comfortable enough with close settings to your old tank. Then with that watch her for the next week to month. It is natural for a livebearer to give birth usually at a month or so. Make sure u watch her thought she gives birth early hours of the night and usually when her hormones calm down she will tend to become hungry and eat. Though it is safe to have her with her babies for a short time after birth it is advised that you remove her as soon as possible to save as many fry as possible.

sleeper · Member Joined: 16 Dec 2004 Posts: 90

Also, keep in mind that mollies give birth in rounds, two or three depending on a variety of factors. The first round will likely only produce 10-15 fry, as would a third if that happened. The second round, however, as has been the case with yours truly would generally produce up to 50 fry. Generally the time from insemination to birth will be 60-70 days, as well as the interval between birthing rounds.

Hope that helps.