I Think I Have A Pregnant Dalmatian Molly

I just bought a Dalmatian molly about a week ago and she appears to be pregnant. I am fairly new to keeping mollies so I am unsure of signs to look for. I can’t really see a gravid spot but she does appear to look kind of square. If she is pregnant I would like to know how I can tell she is close to giving birth. Any tips on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hi! Welcome to Fishlore!

Yep, she looks pregnant! The most important thing is to not separate her using a breeder net. Being confined to a smaller area will stress her out, possibly even making her abort her fry. You might know that livebearers aren't particularly motherly/fatherly- given the chance, they'll eat their own fry. If you want the most fry to survive, add a generous clump of hornwort or java moss to the tank, which will give the fry protection. She looks pretty far along in her pregnancy- maybe within a week of dropping fry? You'll probably want more opinions on that, though. It's alright if you don't see the gravid spot, as her scales seem very opaque.
If she's in a tank with a male, she's going to have a clutch every month-ish. If you don't want any fry, just take away the clump of moss.

Good luck!

 

Hi! Welcome to Fishlore!

Yep, she looks pregnant! The most important thing is to not separate her using a breeder net. Being confined to a smaller area will stress her out, possibly even making her abort her fry. You might know that livebearers aren't particularly motherly/fatherly- given the chance, they'll eat their own fry. If you want the most fry to survive, add a generous clump of hornwort or java moss to the tank, which will give the fry protection. She looks pretty far along in her pregnancy- maybe within a week of dropping fry? You'll probably want more opinions on that, though. It's alright if you don't see the gravid spot, as her scales seem very opaque.
If she's in a tank with a male, she's going to have a clutch every month-ish. If you don't want any fry, just take away the clump of moss.

Good luck!

Thank you. The entire top of my tank is covered with floating plants so I hope that is sufficient to save most of the babies. Do you suggest separating the fry? Or leaving them in the tank with the adults?

 

Actually, the best way is to use a quarantine tank! A 10 gallon will be fine for fry, and moss, floating plants, and decor will help the fry hide

 

Actually, the best way is to use a quarantine tank! A 10 gallon will be fine for fry, and moss, floating plants, and decor will help the fry hide

So separating the fry is the best route? Do you have an opinion as to how soon I should expect her to drop?

 

If you want to save as many fry as possible.. Separate tank. But mollies can drop a LOT of fry, save them all and remember you have to find homes for them all or a store that will take them. If there is plenty of room in the current tank and hiding places for them, there will probably be survivors.

Your molly could possibly drop within a week or two, she seems close to squaring off.

 

How long has she been like that? How many males are there? I believe mollies can store sperm. Have any mollies rewcently been added?

 

How long has she been like that? How many males are there? I believe mollies can store sperm. Have any mollies rewcently been added?

I just bought her about a week ago, she’s been like that since I got her, maybe gotten a little bigger. There is one male and one female molly in the tank with her. She seems to be acting normal. She’s eating, pooping, and swimming around the tank. She does however occasionally chase the other mollies away from her and will hang out behind the heater. Last night once the lights were out she hung out on the bottom but when I turned the lights back on she was active again.

If you want to save as many fry as possible.. Separate tank. But mollies can drop a LOT of fry, save them all and remember you have to find homes for them all or a store that will take them. If there is plenty of room in the current tank and hiding places for them, there will probably be survivors.

Your molly could possibly drop within a week or two, she seems close to squaring off.

The tank is pretty heavily planted so I think they should do ok staying in the main tank. I guess only time will tell. Thank you for your opinion on when she will drop. It’s looking like a week or so is the theme.

 

Greetings and welcome to the forum

Yup she is close to being a mommy

We have several mollies in our 150. With the aquarium being heavily planted the smartest and strongest survive and join the rest of the stock in the aquarium. As was said above mollies are very prolific, and do store the male contribution for the next generation for some time.

Even after all the years we have been keeping fish, seeing a new baby dart around the aquarium is always special occasion

 

The issue with separating her before she gives birth is you run the risk of her becoming stressed and birthing them before they have developed fully- if she does that, you lose the whole clutch. If she doesn't abort, then you get all the fry, so it's an all-or-nothing situation. If your tank is heavily planted and you just leave her in there, there won't be any risk of her aborting them. You won't get the whole entire clutch, but unless you've got homes for 50 mollies, you probably don't want the whole clutch! Of course, after the babies are born, feel free to separate them from the rest of the tank.

 

I think I’m just going to leave her in the main tank and avoid the risks of stressing her out. I read somewhere that they like warmer water to drop their fry. Has anyone else heard or experienced this?

 

I think I’m just going to leave her in the main tank and avoid the risks of stressing her out. I read somewhere that they like warmer water to drop their fry. Has anyone else heard or experienced this?

I've heard it but haven't noticed that it made any real difference. As long as water conditions are good, stable, and everyone's healthy/unstressed the delivery will happen all on it's own. A lot of people say birthings typically happen in the morning but mine do it during the day in the middle of the week while everyone is away lol with no sudden changes in behavior to indicate birth is imminent. I usually come back home to a surprise. You said it's heavily planted, don't be surprised if most survive.

 

I've heard it but haven't noticed that it made any real difference. As long as water conditions are good, stable, and everyone's healthy/unstressed the delivery will happen all on it's own. A lot of people say birthings typically happen in the morning but mine do it during the day in the middle of the week while everyone is away lol with no sudden changes in behavior to indicate birth is imminent. I usually come back home to a surprise. You said it's heavily planted, don't be surprised if most survive.

Thanks for the advice. I’m getting a little anxious lol. I guess it’s just a waiting game from here. I’ve been doing all I can to make sure the water is in great condition and the fish are happy. Hopefully we’ll see some fry soon

 

If the tank is big enough, you should wait it out

 

One more question. Today she seems to be exceptionally aggressive. She is chasing the other mollies and nipping at them every chance she gets. Should I consider separating her?

 

If it's a sudden & large change in behavior, she's getting close to dropping fry. It's your call.

Pros of separating her is that your other fish won't be nipped.
Cons of separating her is possible fry abortion.
Pros of keeping her in the tank is you will definitely have some fry.
Cons of keeping her in the tank is that your other fish may be nipped.

I suppose it depends on how bad her aggression is. How many other fish are in the tank?

 

3 other mollies, she seems to have calmed down a little bit but for the better part of her day she would make it her business to chase and nip anyone within eyesight of her.

 

I've been told females love to isolate themselves before dropping. Maybe that's just what she is trying to do? Just a guess.

 

I have a new concern. I’m wondering if maybe she is not pregnant but sick. She still hasn’t dropped any fry and now there is a patch on her side that looks kind of like a fuzzy ringworm. This patch showed up pretty much over night. I don’t even know where to begin to figure out what it is and how to treat it.