e_watson09

Well I'm in the process right now of setting back up my 10 gallon tank and I've decided since I LOVE balloon mollies I want to breed them. I've always had luck with breeding guppies and swords when I wasn't trying but I'd only ever get 3-6 babies. So I'm trying to figure out what all I need to do to get ready to have the babies. I plan to get a barrier and divide off about a 1/4 of the tank until I get another tank up and running for them. But here's my main questions....

-What are "breeder boxes" for?
-How long do I keep the mother in with the fry after she gives birth?
-Will the mother eat the babies?
-What temp is ideal for Balloon Mollies to have babies?
-Is there a special food I should feed the babies?
-Once I have the fry is there a special way I should clean the tank since its not uncommon for them to hide in the gravel?
-Can I mix and match fry? Like if I were to get swordtails fry as well would the fry hurt eachother or would they be fine in the same tank?
-How many fry can I have in one tank (I'm planning on getting a 5 gal or so for them)?
-Is there a special type of filter that I should get?

Any other random information will be adored

Chris123

Breeder boxs are a pregnant fish so they can have have babies without any stress. There built so that when she done the fry can hang out till ther grown

After she done giving birth put back in

The Mother will abousoulutly eat the babies if there no protection for the fry

If the temp is high (like low 80s) they will breed pretty quick

Hikari first bites is good baby brine shrimp crushed up flakes

Usally go bare bottom so you dont have to worry about that problem

You can mix fry

Sponge filter are reccomended

If you have any more questions let me know

CB

bassbonediva

1-Breeder boxes separate the mother from the rest of the tank so she can drop her fry and the other fish won't eat them. There are special slots that the fry drop through so that the mother can't eat them either.
2-I would take her out as soon as she finishes giving birth. Livebearers are notorious for eating their own young.
3-Yes, as will every other fish in the tank that is bigger than they are.
4-Ummm...not exactly sure, but I keep my tanks at between 78-80F and my platies breed like rabbits.
5-They do make fry foods, but I've heard that finely crushed tropical flake food works as well. I would consider putting live plants and java moss in the grow-out tank as they like to pick off that.
6-If you are doing a grow-out tank, I would do it bare bottom. That way you don't have to worry about misplacing any fry.
7-Yes, you can mix and match fry as long as they are the same size to start with. I have a guppy fry in with my three platy fry and they leave each other alone.
8-You can squeeze quite a few in, but remember that the more crowded they are, the more competition there is for food and the less they'll grow.
8-I would use a sponge filter similar to this: http://www.petco.com/product/12147/P...:referralID=NA If you already have the air pump, you can get two of the filters at Petsmart for $7. I have one on one of my 10gal divided betta fraternities and LOVE it.

e_watson09

I've never really been a fan of those types of filters I'm not exactly sure why I just don't like them. What if I get a 10 gal tank and put a regular filter in then put a divider next to the filter so that they don't get sucked up in it. Would that be an option?

What if I just get one of the little already set up tanks that are small has anyone seen the filters on there? How do they work?