parrotheadX5

Well, my daughter's mollies had babies again. I have a few questions.

1. Is it safe to raise them in those nets for fry when the water has aquarium salts? I am concerned the salinity would be too harsh for them.

2. Anyone have pictures or advice of what the females look like when they're on the verge of birthing? She has 2 females that look like their bellies dip right down. Can't think of the name but they're yellow (females) on the dorsal area with white bellies. Tail fins are carved out like a C.

Alessa

well, it is safe i guess, but livebearers dont really need salt, no matter what they say at the fish store. What other fish do you have in the tank? I would recommend lowering the salinity little by little until there is none left.

When livebearers are about to give birth, they get a dark spot near their anal fin... in the belly area and they start to look squareish, with reallly, really big bellies.

parrotheadX5

Just 5 mollies. She has a red/black female, black female, and 3 yellow/whites (2 females, 1 male). Weird thing is in a space of 2 days, all females had babies. Thankfully not in quantity though! I don't like using salt either and have been doing just that, gradually decreasing it with water changes.

Alessa

do you know what youre going to do with the fry? youre a bit overstocked given that mollies are bigger than platies and guppies... and they will continue to have babies as long as the male is kept there...

is the tank cycled? what are your exact water parameters?

parrotheadX5

5 is overstocked in a 10 gal tank? No guppies or anything else.

Alessa

The rule of thumb is "1 inch of fish per gallon of water" for fish under 3 inches. Mollies generally are 3 or even 4 inches.

I know you dont have guppies, I was just comparing their sizes to the sizes of the mollies.

but again to the question... what are you planning to do with the fry?

parrotheadX5

LOL She must have midgets because her fish are only about 1-1 1/4 inches long! But I do see what you're saying. She's attempting to raise what she has and possibly take them for trade down at the pet store. We're constantly measuring water quality etc. and all are within proper range. She's been quite diligent doing her water changes and keeping it pristine.

ShaynaB

Sailfin mollies are the ones that get to 4 inches.

Your daughter's mollies are also probably pretty young, but yes, 5 mollies is stocked/overstocked. They create a lot of waste because they're piggy fish.

As long as the water's ok, it should be ok for now. They're still pretty small.

I never had my fish in with any salt, but mollies are supposed to like it so I don't see why it would hurt.

Shawnie

ive read some threads from CWC that says the mollies and guppies etc can be overstocked as long as you are dilligent on water changes...gosh I have a 75 gal thats totally overstocked but I do water changes every other day..(WHAT A PAIN IN THE REAR THAT IS) ...as far as salt, id stop using it also...its like an old school remedy and sometimes the salt does worse than good..they would be ok in the fry net but id do a 50% water change and get most of that salt out...fry are sensitive to alot of different conditions and I dont think the salt would be good for them...Im sure someone will correct me if im wrong..goodluck!

ShaynaB

Shawnie,

Mollies can live in brackish water. Actually, some people say that they prefer it although I never had my Mollies in with salt.

Shawnie

oh ive heard this and been told this, but I dont think the fry can handle it..like I said some have said thats old school but im probably having a brunette moment LOL ...either that or im too trusting of my fish guy hahha

Barbrella

Actually, mollies can live in many levels of salt, up to and including pure saltwater tanks. I would keep adding the salt.

You'll be very lucky if you can even get the petstore to take the babies for free. As you see, they breed like crazy and petstores have enough livebearers and won't take large quantities of fry every few weeks.

sirdarksol

As has been said, mollies can live in, and may even prefer, brackish water.

I'm going to throw my "be sure you're using marine salt, not 'aquarium salt,' to make brackish water" out there. The marine salt will more closely create the brackish environment.

Shawnie

okies I agree they can live in it..whether they prefer it, im not sure about that...mine dont mind going without it LOL although they like the occasional margarita

I guess it would depend on how the mollies were raised as my buddy said...most arent in a brackish tank anymore (im sure its because they want to go the cheapest route to raising fish) and sometimes its more of a shock to put them in it when they arent use to it as much as it is when they are in it and then arent...

do you think its become a personal preference lately? and are the fry ok in brackish?

sirdarksol

Definitely a shock to them if they aren't properly acclimated. I took two hours acclimating my mollies to a weak brackish tank, and then slowly upped the salinity over the next couple of weeks.