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 long does it take for molly fish to give birth?
But how long does that take? After an average of 30 to 40-day pregnancy, it will take a molly
approximately a day
to give birth to her fry. Many mollies can actually store sperms for months at a time, fertilizing their eggs themselves every 30 days. They can birth anywhere between 20 and 100 fry at a time.
How do you know when a molly is about to give birth?
There are some signs to look for that indicate that a molly fish is about to give birth.
Her belly will grow and begin to square off, her gravid spot will turn opaque, she will eat less, and she will hide away in dark corners more
.
How can you tell if a molly fish is pregnant?
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 do you do with a pregnant molly?
How can you tell if a balloon molly is pregnant?
The gravid spot will become visible around halfway through the pregnancy and grow with time
. The gravid spot is nothing more than the female's eggs becoming visible through the abdomen. You can later see the silhouette of the fry once they hatch and begin to develop inside the female molly.
How do you tell if my mollies are mating?
Distinguishing between male and female black mollies is fairly simple.
The males will have the gonopodium instead of a normal anal fin
. Females tend to look larger and rounder than males. Some males will have elongated dorsal fins, but this is not seen on the females.
How do you keep baby mollies alive?
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. Molly fry can be extremely delicate due to poor water conditions. Change the water regularly to keep your fry healthy.
How often do molly fish have babies?
The gestation period of a molly fish is around 60 days. Female mollies can store sperm for months and may fertilize eggs as often as
every 30 days
, even when no male is present in the tank. Mollies may release 10 to 60 live fish at a time.
How long is a fish 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.
How many eggs do mollies lay?
How many eggs do molly typically lay?
None
. They're live-bearers, which means live birth. Anywhere from a few to over a hundred could be born.
Is my pet fish 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 fish act when giving birth?
What do I do if my fish has babies?
After Your Fish Gives Birth
For many species, it's important to
keep fertilized eggs and newly hatched fish, or fry, separate from the adults
. Some fish eat their own young while others eat the young of other species. Keeping the fish eggs and fry separate from the adult fish may give them a better chance of survival.
How many mollies should be kept together?
At least three or four mollies
should be kept together. Mollies are shoaling fish, which means they're more comfortable living with fish of the same species. While you should keep several mollies together, be sure not to overcrowd the tank.
Can black and white mollies mate?
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.
