Full term molly in stress

Hello, I'm hoping I could get some advice..

My Stardust Molly is full term, and visually appears ready to go. However, she is exhibiting stress like behaviours, and I'm not sure what to do for her.

She is in my 20 gallon tank, which is her normal home, and absolutely nothing has changed for her to start acting like this, other than her belly dropping more, and removing my other molly. But she's still not alone.

Parameters are good, all other fish (including preg fish as this is my breeding tank) appear happy... just not this girl, at all.

I moved her partner out because she recently gave birth and my stardust (the one acting stressed) started charging at her all the time. Especially around food.

I have 2 options...

1) keep her in that tank and hope she doesn't stress to death or hold her babies and make herself ill

Or

2) Move her to my 30g with 0 other fish. Only issue is that it's only been set up for 3-4weeks. I JUST put the plants and decor in yesterday (live). I shoved old media in the filter a couple days ago but I'm not 1000000% convinced it's completely 100% cycled. Truth be told I honestly never 10000% know. However parameters are great, and she would have the entire tank to free birth in.


Photo of Molly and this crater she's created in the sand.

What would you do?

 

I would probable do option 2. what are the exact parameters? there is a chance it is not cycled yet but seems to risky to keep her in her regular tank.

 

I would probable do option 2. what are the exact parameters? there is a chance it is not cycled yet but seems to risky to keep her in her regular tank.

Ph 6.2
Nitrate 10
Nitrite 0
Chlorine 0
KH 20
GH 75

She's eating still, alot... but she is otherwise not looking happy. I have never seen her do this before most recently. Even after I moved her friend out, she wasn't acting that way til her belly dropped. I'm thinking she wants to deliver and is having anxiety.
I'm hoping she can manage for 4.5 hrs til I'm home and can transfer her asap. I feel so bad for her. I've had a number of kids myself and just feel she's sooo anxious. Like she wants to prepare a safe place and doesn't think that's it.

 

Has she been pregnant before? She might be trying to find a place to deliver safely( A Heidi hole)

 

Has she been pregnant before? She might be trying to find a place to deliver safely( A Heidi hole)

Yes this is her 2nd brood while I've had her. She birthed in the tank the first time, only have 1 of those that I was able to save (already moved from internal breeder net to main tank as it has grown out enough). Added more plants so I'd have better success this time, and her friend had no issue delivering in there a week or so ago.

I'm thinking I'll just have to transfer her to my 30G to birth alone.

 

Do you have any small leaf plants?
Where she can give birth and the fry can hide. I found that is where mine are usually giving birth.
I hope that helps good luck. My fingers are crossed for you.

 

Here's my 30g.. I honestly think she would be happier there. I hope. I can transfer her back to her main home after the babies are born as well, and just let the babies grow out in here.

I did notice that she's been really hungry lately so I changed her to mostly blood worms, and my Rapashy Spawn and Grow came in so she's been eating that as well.

I may slow drip acclimate my other molly fry if she births in this tank, and transfer them in another week or so.

Added lots of frogbit and salvinia for fry to hide in.

Do you have any small leaf plants?
Where she can give birth and the fry can hide. I found that is where mine are usually giving birth.
I hope that helps good luck. My fingers are crossed for you.

Yep!

Got her transfered. This is what we are working with. So far she seems happier.
Sorry I read that wrong. Not lots of planted stuff, just Java fern and floating plants

 

Still happy and eating her rapashy this morning. None of that scrambling at the bottom or corner of the tank (pacing) behavior.