kschimmenti

I have had a 10 gallon tank set up in my 3rd grade classroom for about 6 months. I have a swordtail in there and I added one dalmatian molly, about 3 weeks after I put her in, she had 4 babies, one was eaten, three survived and are growing well. I just assumed that she was pregnant when I got her from the store. Those babies are about 4-5 weeks old now and I came into my class this morning and low and behold there are two brand new babies in there. I can't figure it out. All that was in the tank is the Molly, Swordtail, Pleco and the three surviving babies. Could the Molly have bread with the Swordtail I didn't think that was possible. Should I expect this to keep happening?? I don't want them to keep reproducing, I'm not equipped for it. Please help.

agabr123

hi and welcome to fishlore

nope, mollies and swordtails can't interbreed. mollies and guppies can, and platies and swordtails can, but no other combinations. chances are your molly was still holding fry, they can hold for up to six months if i remember correctly so you should be in the clear fairly soon.

this is unrelated to your question, but do you know what kind of pleco you have? if it's a common pleco they are HUGE waste producers and will outgrow a 10 gallon tank.

Bettawana

Not possible to interbreed Dalmatian mollies with swords. If mother nature permits it, then you would have Dalmatian Swords! LOL!

ABCDemily

She was probably pregnant when you bought her, they can hold one single fertilisation for up to six months, much like agabr123 said.

And Pleco's need a 55 gal tank MINIMUM to be able to even think about living happily, you should either get him a nice big 55 gal + tank, or return him to the store.

Unless it's a bristlenose pleco, in that case, he should stay

Bad Wolf

i know i'm repeating, but a third answer opinion is always good. no they can not cross breed. she was probably pregnant when you got her. and the 10g is to way to small for a common plecostomus.

good luck with the bubs. how big are the 5 week olds now?

Bad Wolf

i know i'm repeating, but a third answer opinion is always good. no they can not cross breed. she was probably pregnant when you got her. and the 10g is to way to small for a common plecostomus.

good luck with the bubs. how big are the 5 week olds now?