20 Gallon Tank Can two balloon molly parents have fry that arent deformed, (ballooned?)

Title pretty much says it... Can two balloon molly parents have fry that aren't deformed? Thanks in advance! Kat

 

anybody? lol!

 

The simple answer is yes but not likely. They will still have some of the genes of the healthy fish in them so it is all ways still possible for them to give birth to normal and compress fry. Balloon Mollies are not a bread of fish but more a genetically compressed variety caused by selective breeding and inbreeding. A lot of the females are unable to give birth and the males have a high sterility rate so it can be difficult to bread them at times. They also normally have a shorter life span than the normal Mollies do.

 

Does that apply to all balloon species? Say Blue Balloon Rams? I would guess the answer is yes.

 

Yes, this is true of all balloon species. It is a genetic mutation.

 

I ask, because 2 of the fry from my last batch looked completely normal as older juvies, while the others looked like miniature balloon mollies.

 

I wouldn't breed them simply because there is no point in furthering the genetic mess that they already are. That being said, its possible for them to give birth to a few normal looking fry, which by no means makes those fry any more healthy then their siblings, it just means they arnt mutated, they should still carry the genetics for it though. Honestly however, I can't comment on whether these guys are anymore genetically scrambled then any normal looking pet store molley. If you do wish to breed for color lines and such I might suggest finding a quality breed with good, healthy, stock.

 

I have been letting them breed and selling the juvies to a friend for feeders, lol. I think balloon mollies, (genetics aside,) are pretty awesome fish. And my friend likes that he doesn't have to QT the feeders or worry about contamination. When all my fish finally cross over, (probably be a little while, everyone is still pretty young,) I don't know what I'll get. I think eventually I would like to do bottom dwellers, but not in the 20 gal. Something much, much bigger, lol.