How long are fish pregnant for mollies? (2024)

How long is a molly fish pregnant for?

Mollies 50-70 days.

How long does it take for a molly fish to give birth?

The gestation period for mollies is 45 to 60 days. Plus, since female mollies can fertilize their eggs every 30 days with the sperm they store from the male molly, they always seem pregnant.

How long does a fish stay pregnant?

Fish pregnancy can last anywhere from 3 weeks to 3.5 years depending on the species. Fish pregnancies usually last between 3 weeks and 10 months. This huge range is due to the differences between various fish species. Aquarium fish like goldfish or guppies are at the lower end of the spectrum.

How do you know when a molly is about to give birth?

Typically, to know if a molly is about to give birth, you should look for some sign. These include physical changes, such as a change in the shape and size of the belly and darkening of the gravid spot, as well as behavioral changes, such as less swimming, more hiding, lack of appetite, etc.

How many mollies should be kept together?

How many molly fish should I have? As with many livebearers, mollies love to breed, so we recommend getting at least two to three females for every male. This ratio allows the girls to get a break from the boys' constant attention.

What do fish do before they give birth?

Within about 20 to 40 days after the mating ritual has concluded, the female will develop a bulge in the abdomen; a red or black spot may form toward the rear of the abdomen signifying her pregnancy. Guppies and mollies can deliver as many as 20 fry at once.

What to do if my fish is pregnant?

Keeping a pregnant fish in isolation for more than two days can inhibit the maturation of the fry. If you return the fish to the tank, try turning the heat up slightly in the aquarium to help the maturation process of the fry, and then watch for signs she is getting ready to give birth.

Will baby fish survive in my tank?

It is possible to raise baby fish in your main tank, but generally, few will survive this. Larger fish will see them as tasty snacks and even vegetarian fish may be tempted. They can also suffer injuries from being chased and bullied.

Why does my molly have a big belly?

Swollen Belly

The fluid accumulation is caused by the inability of the kidneys and/or gills to eliminate water from the body, which is a result of the underlying health problem.

How many babies will a molly have?

Female mollies will gestate their young for about 60 days. 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.

What do pregnant fish look like?

Pregnant female fish often develop a "gravid spot" on the abdomen near the rear vent. This is typically black or bright red, and grows more pronounced over the course of the pregnancy. Some fish always have this spot, but it will typically grow brighter or darker during once the fish is pregnant.

Why is my pregnant molly fish swimming upside down?

If your fish is swimming upside down, it has a problem with its swim bladder. Your fish has stopped being able to control its swim bladder and has got stuck with too much air inside it. The reason for this could be constipation, a poor diet, eating habits, or an infection.

What do molly fish eggs look like?

These eggs look like small, yellow balls. They look like tiny egg yolks that are jelly-looking and translucent. Lastly, since these eggs don't hatch, they'll likely rot or develop into fungus. The parent will likely consume these underdeveloped eggs.

What are the bad signs in fish delivery?

If you smell sour, rancid, or fishy odors in raw or cooked seafood, do not eat it. If you smell either a fleeting or persistent ammonia odor in cooked seafood, do not eat it.

Can I put 4 mollies in a 10 gallon tank?

As a general rule of thumb, you can expect to keep about 1 inch of fish per gallon of water. So, if you have 3-inch mollies, you can probably only keep 3 of them in a 10-gallon tank. If you have only a couple of inches of mollies, you can probably keep 4 of them in a 10-gallon tank.

How many Mollys can you put in a 20 gallon tank?

How Many Molly Fish Can I Keep in a 20-Gallon Tank? You can keep 5 to 6 molly fish in a 20-gallon tank. These friendly fish reach a maximum size of around 3 inches, so they're not the biggest fish in the world. However, they are very active swimmers and need plenty of room to move around.

How do you tell if a molly is a boy or girl?

Anal Fin

Like in all fish, the anal fin in mollies is located on the underside, just behind the abdomen. This fin offers the most effective way to differentiate between male and female mollies. In males, the anal fin appears like a tube-shaped fin that never opens wide.

Do fish moms take care of their babies?

And most fish don't care for their young, but out of the species that do, between one-third and one-half rely on fathers parenting alone. Perhaps the most well-known example is the seahorse, where the male becomes pregnant, carrying his mate's fertilized eggs in a pouch on his belly until they hatch.

Do mother fish take care of their babies?

The offspring must fend for themselves as soon as they are born because the mother fish does not take care of them. These fish normally have around 30 offspring at once but can have up to sixty.

How often should you fish when pregnant?

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that those who are pregnant or breastfeeding eat 8 to 12 ounces (2 to 3 servings) per week of a variety of fish lower in mercury. Fish should be eaten in place of other protein sources, such as some meat and poultry.

What to do with baby fish you don t want?

Sell or give away extra fish.

Also consider selling or giving away unwanted fry to people with other pets that may use the fish for food, or else contact a local nature center, elementary school or similar organization about free fish for educational purposes.

What is a pregnant fish called?

Aquarists commonly refer to ovoviviparous and viviparous fish as "livebearers".

How many baby fish usually survive?

But even under the best conditions, at least 70% of newly hatched fish still die.

How do you feed baby molly fish?

Feed your fry small amounts of food, about a pinch at a time, several times a day. To make it easy, feed the fry immediately before or after you eat. Clean any uneaten food from the tank. Use a net or a skimmer to get powdered food off of the surface of the water.

Can I put a new fish in the tank my old fish died in?

Any dead fish should be removed, as its body will quickly rot in the warm, bacteria-laden water. A corpse will pollute water, risking the health of other fish in the tank. If it died from disease the last thing you want is other fish consuming its body parts, so remove immediately.

How many fry does a molly give birth to?

They can birth anywhere between 20 and 100 fry at a time. In this article, we will explore the molly fish, discuss their average gestation cycle along ways you can tell if they are pregnant, and when they might be likely to give birth.

Why are my mollies hanging out at the top of the tank?

When dissolved oxygen levels are low, fish hang at the surface and gasp, as the surface area has the highest oxygen level in the tank because it's in contact with the air.

Why does my molly look bent?

If a fish has a bent or curved spine, it is most likely infected with a Gram-positive mycobacteria (Mycobacterium marinum or M. fortuitum). This is commonly referred to as fish tuberculosis, piscine tuberculosis, acid-fast disease or granuloma disease.

Should I separate baby molly from mother?

Separate The Fry

It is recommended to separate the fry from the adult fish as soon as they are born. It will help to ensure that they have enough space to grow and thrive and make them feel safe as they are not at risk of being eaten by adult fish. You can use a breeding box and isolate the mother in a separate tank.

What do newborn mollies eat?

What should I feed my baby molly fish? Typically, you should feed your molly fry (baby molly fish) various foods throughout its development, like infusoria, baby brine shrimp, high-quality crushed flakes, freeze-dried foods, worms, and pellets.

Should I separate baby mollies?

If you can't get to the gravid female in time, you may need to capture the little ones and separate them from the other fish in the aquarium. Then you can use the breeding box, net or the separate tank to isolate the fry until they get large enough to fend for themselves.

How many molly fry will survive?

Though the more plants in the tank, the higher the survival rate is going to be. If you play your cards right and get a breeding box or net then your survival rate could easily be upwards of 50% as opposed to having the entire spawn decimated by the adults in the tank.

Why is my pregnant molly fish sitting at the bottom of the tank?

Molly fish can stay at the bottom of the tank due to swim bladder infections, ich, or pregnancy. This behaviour can also signify that your tank isn't the best environment for your fish. Staying near the bottom of the tank may be a sign that you need to perform a water change or adjust the temperature.

What does a pregnant fish look like?

Pregnant female fish often develop a "gravid spot" on the abdomen near the rear vent. This is typically black or bright red, and grows more pronounced over the course of the pregnancy. Some fish always have this spot, but it will typically grow brighter or darker during once the fish is pregnant.

What do molly babies eat?

Typically, you should feed your molly fry (baby molly fish) various foods throughout its development, like infusoria, baby brine shrimp, high-quality crushed flakes, freeze-dried foods, worms, and pellets.

Should I remove baby fish from tank?

It is hard to determine that length of time, but a good general rule of thumb is to remove the young once they are searching for food independently. A good method to remove the fry without disturbing the aquarium too much is to siphon the young out in to a bucket, strained through a fine net.

Why are my molly fish chasing each other?

Lack of Space. Mollies are active fish that need plenty of swimming space. If the environment becomes crowded and there's not enough room, the fish can become aggressive toward each other and their tank mates.

How do you keep baby molly fish alive?

Molly fry can be extremely delicate due to poor water conditions. Change the water regularly to keep your fry healthy. Do not raise your fry in a tank without a heater and thermometer. It is important to keep the water at a consistent, warm temperature in order to keep your fish happy and healthy.