chia

i have a female mollie that has been in a tank with 4 tetras and 2 alge eaters for 2 mo and just had babies. before we could remove the babies the were consumed.. now the mollie (dalmation) is just swiming very rapidly in one spot at the bottom of the tank and not eating .. is this normal or is there something i need to do? help they are my 3 yr old daughters fish!!!!

Gunnie

Hi Chia! Welcome to FishLore! I have general fish info, but have no experience with live bearers. All I can think that might be happening is that she has not dropped all her babies. I am gonna bring this thread to Butterfly's attention. Hang tight!

vin

That could definitely be possible. Livebearers can 'deliver' for up to 28 days on and off....I've had this happen to me. One day she's calm and off in a corner birthing and the next she's swimming all around like a nut.....a week later she's got more fry....

Also, if the water conditions are not right they will swim up and down the same face of the tank vertically until the water conditions improve.......But it sounds like maybe she hasn't finished her labor.......

Butterfly

Hi Chia!!! Welcome to FishLore!!
Could we have a little more information about your tank please? Size? water parameters- ammonia-nitrite-nitrate? Thanks
Carol

chia

thanks for the info .. you were right she had six more in the last week.. the tank is 10 gal.. includes 2 alge eaters one mollie and 5 tetras neon... temp pH and nitrates are all within normal range.. mollie is still a little slugglish but if i had 22 babies i prob wld be too.. thanks again..

0morrokh

Do you have tests for Ammonia and Nitrites? Those are much more toxic than Nitrates.

beckers4oranges

mollies like a little salt in there water...their brackish fish....