armadillo

Hi guys/gals. How do I tell if my balloon molly is pregnant. All my other females have never showed a gravid spot, and yet some have had fry, so I have no idea what the gravid spot looks like. As she has a huuuuge belly as it is, I have no idea how to tell. She hasn't been hovering around alone in the gravel or anything, but not all of them do that anyway, especially not throughout the whole 'pregnancy'. I'd like to think that she's getting bigger, but it could be my imagination. Any tips?

vin

My first response was to be to check for the gravid spot...What color is she? If she's light in color the gravid spot could not be missed....It's directly behind the belly area and just in front of the anal fins...It is typically triangular in shape.

armadillo

Unfortunately, I had the bright idea of buying most of my mollies in the dalmatian colour patterns. Wouldn't see the gravid spot if it hit me in the face...* Would some kind Fishlorean have a picture of a pregnant balloon molly before and after? Would give me an idea.

Ooooh, just remembered. She's in my avatar. You see what I mean about spotting the spot? She's full of 'em.

vin

Well, the gravid spot wouldn't appear on the surface of the scales, but below the skin so to speak....You should be able to notice the difference in coloration. These are actually the developing fry that you'd see.

armadillo

But that's just the thing. I can't see any difference in coloration as she's naturally full of spots.

vin

I guess I'm not describing it clearly enough....See if this makes sense...If you can see the spot beneath the spot....Almost like an overlay, that would be an indicator. It should be easy enough to see.

armadillo

Would you have a picture?

vin

Sorry, no....My swords are all Orange or Green...So it's easier for me to see...

armadillo

Next time, am buying only transparent fish!