People aren’t willing to learn or admit defeat so why not make jokes. Mollies are an unusual species in that they can live in anything from freshwater to saltwater like in the ocean. GOLD NUGGET MINI MOLLY . Female mollies select the males. Price Not Available. In my tank I have 2 white mollies; They are paired up and have had 2 lots of babies (only 4 remaining) I have them in a separate breeding net. I don’t think I’m going to attempt something so bold, but apparently He isn’t the first to do this. Since they are able to survive in either saltwater or freshwater, they’re a pretty unique fish that has become extremely popular with fishkeeping hobbyists over the years. Extra Air Flow and How to Provide: Mollies do best with additional air movement in the aquarium. plus three neon tetra. It’s important to provide a quiet, peaceful place for her to give birth. You’ll find a whole lot of other molly fish information to answer all of your questions about Mollies, like how long do molly fish live? Males grow to 3 inches. Different fishes have different behavioral patterns of breeding. I agree. Coloration is also a little dull on females in most types of Molly strains. Since they’re prolific breeders and very social fish, they tend to need a little extra protection if they have any tank mates that aren’t shy. If she gets overly stressed, she may have miscarriages and/or stillborn fry. Aquarium Mollies are Fighting and Nipping. I have four, uh...dalmation platies. This species is found in the coastal areas around the Yucatan peninsula and can also tolerate saltwater. This assumes that the Mollies have proper water conditions and proper care. Just remember to pair them with plants and fish that also need slow-moving water. When keeping molly fish that are fighting and chasing each other you need to be careful because your fish will die if it becomes too stressed. Smaller in size than standard mollies, a great fish for planted community aquaria. Male Mollies are usually smaller than Female Mollies; they have a modified cloacal fin under belly called gonopodium, this is used for mating. Is Dalmation molly fish care any different from silver molly care or from black molly fish care? There are three other different fish breeds with her in the aquarium and she is very well mannered. And if you’re wondering how big do molly fish get, the answer is: up to 4.5-inches. They inhabit fresh water streams and coastal brackish and marine waters of Mexico. The size of the female balloon molly fish exceeds the size of the male. Sailfin Molly for Sale Mollies have a huge array of coloring choices, thanks to specific breeding, hybridization, and the mere fact that they are intensely prolific breeders. Learn how to care for them, breed them & take care of baby Molly fish with videos, pictures & simplified information. And they don't have alphas, not like pack animals have alphas. Mollies are active and social so they enjoy schooling together. Mollies share the Poecilia genus with guppies, platies, and limias. Molly for Sale Shown above, two young mature male Tangerine Sailfin Mollies quarrelling with each other. They require both meaty foods and algae and should be housed in a thickly planted aquarium. A healthy balance of the vegetables, flake or pellet food, and protein treats will help your Molly have bright, vibrant colors and healthy scales, eyes, and gills. Also, they enjoy eating algae growth, as they love gazing and nibbling at every patch in an aquarium. Variety is important for your Molly’s health. There are diagrams floating around that can really help diagnose the sexing differences. But, can mollies and guppies live in the same tank? Keeping one male with three females is the recommended ratio for breeding these fish, any more will create too many pregnant molly fish and too many molly babies as a result. They are including omnivorous type, it means they can eat every kind of fish’s food, like pellets, blood worm, etc. Indications of Pregnancy . Product Code: … Molly fish sound a little like they ought to be swimming in straight from Ireland – that name! In considering the population of your tank, you’re going to want to balance the ratio of male Mollies to female Mollies. Because of their drive to breed, male Mollies need several females to keep their attention. A shoal should be predominantly female since males are known to harass and stress females. Having multiple females can also help the general health of the fish overall, as Mollies are worse than rabbits. *Awarded Answer Molly Fish (Poecilia sphenops) are one of the most colorful, and most popular aquarium fish. Molly fish are no exception to this tendency. I hate betta bowls, but he’s pushing my buttons! Or no? I don’t know the technical term but if the fin on the belly is straight down and comes to a point it’s a male. Females are larger than males and fairly easy to identify, especially because of that near-constant pregnancy. They are most commonly observed moving through the shallows along the edges in these places, as well as lowland streams, ponds, estuaries, and marshes. When you’re ready to buy Molly fish, you can find them in multiple places online for modest prices. Females are larger than males and fairly easy to identify, especially because of that near-constant pregnancy. Molly fish are usually sold at a very reasonable price making it a great fish for beginners or for those who are on a budget. Mollies are really very adaptable fish, but to keep them well you really do need to know something about them. They are do not need some big aquarium, because they grow up till 12 centimeters maximum size. Once you give a betta a tank to itself…he claims that whole tank as his. Matt is a web designer by day and a long-time fishkeeper by night. Male mollies feature a more torpedo-like shape; Look for a pointed anal fin or gonopodia (a copulatory organ) It is present behind the belly on the underside. Mollies are a very popular group of livebearing aquarium fish, very active, peaceful, easy to care for and easy to breed. This can help to keep them disease free. Add in multiple air stones – one per 10 gallons ideally – to help your mollies thrive. Here are some solid tank mates choices for the molly fish: Cherry Barb; Celestial Pearl Danio; Rosy Barb; Platies; Bristlenose Pleco; Zebra Loach; Yoyo Loach; Most Types Of Tetras; Dwarf Gourami; Harlequin Rasbora; Cory Catfish; Swordtail; Molly fish will also get along with most freshwater aquarium shrimp and snails quite well too. Any fish can be a bully, but most of the time Mollies are peaceful fish. The molly fish is in list of the genus Poecilia. Yes, my silver is seriously fat. Molly Fish Fighting and Chasing. Watching them for a while will quickly get you attached as you notice their individual differences. Anal Fin. Some fish do have pecking orders. Blackworms, bloodworms, Daphnia, brine shrimp, spirulina, algae wafers, romaine lettuce, green peas, string beans, zucchini pieces, cucumber. This will help to protect the new fish from potential attacks from any fish that feel threatened or scared by a new tankmate. Mollies are medium to small fish, depending on their exact environment, so they need loads of room for swimming. It’s important to provide a quiet, peaceful place for her to give birth. The primary differences are going to be in the amount of food one species needs from another – larger fish generally need more food than a smaller fish – and how carefully you need to monitor their fins. Males have modified anal fins and tend to be slender, while females are a little rounder in shape. A couple of silver sailfins With habitats throughout Central and North America, these hardy freshwater fish tolerate a range of water conditions. Molly fish are livebearers, not egg-layers, making them distinct from many of the other popular aquarium fish you might choose to keep. This variety of Molly and many others are available for sale on this page and listed below. You’ll notice this issue if you pay attention. Three female, one male. Mollies do best with a sandy substrate at the bottom of the tank – this most naturally resembles their natural environment – and loads of live plants will provide them with the shelter they need. Live-bearing fish do not lay eggs but give birth to live tiny little fish babies. They also breed like crazy and tolerate just about any kind of water – except soft water. The plants also help with a variety of other issues – like helping them find algae to eat – and add a lot to the aquarium overall, anyway. If the female’s belly becomes extremely distended – assuming you know she’s pregnant – she’s about to give birth. Molly fish, or just mollies, are freshwater fish from the genus Poecilia, in the Poeciliidae family.These little fish are available in many different colors and patterns and will surely add a fun note of color to your aquarium. These rivers where they live are tropical or semi-tropical, so they get a fair supply of sunlight for plant growth. Fish stick together in schools or shoals for social interaction and safety in numbers, not dominance. Molly behavior and aggression level. The gravid spot forms as the body wall stretches with the eggs’ development. she gave birth to two baby fry and that's it will there be more or she will only have two baby fry? Is there a diagram I can use? River Rock Large Stone as Aquarium Gravel? Just throwing it out there it’s 2018 guys. Mollies live in slow-moving water so they should be kept in slow-moving water situations for the optimal health of their gills. Though they may sometimes tend to be mischievous and “to tease” their companions, molly fish will never hurt the fish belonging to another species. One of the interesting ornamental fish with unique shapes and colors is the Molly fish. As mentioned above, they are extremely adaptable and can live in freshwater, brackish water, or even saltwater and thrive. tank and my “main” fish is a betta. Encourage to learn all about them. Interestingly enough, feeding thawed out frozen peas can actually sometimes help treat this problem. Mollies aren't usually aggressive at all. You can. You can keep it in a small aquarium. Floating vegetation is often shelter under which these little fish live, which provides them with a protective shield against being spotted by predators. After the reproduction, the male fish takes care of its eggs or fries. Tropical Molly Fish or Mollies for Sale at AzGardens.com since 1987. The main difference in Molly Fish sexing is the fin differences. L.T. especially lately he hasn't been letting her eat. Author Note: You’ll encounter a spectrum of interesting-looking mollies in the aquarium trade. Molly fish are said to be brackish water fish (freshwater mixed with saltwater) but the rate of saltwater should be very weak. Named after their balloon-shaped bodies (arched back and rounded belly), Balloon mollies should be housed with fish that have similar temperaments. Female white Molly I had my male molly and my female mollys for about three... Hi , i just got two female gold panda mollies and one male gold panda molly... Is my common Pleco Male or female? Look at the anal fin – if there is a fin, it’s a female, if it’s a narrow “tube” it’s a male. At birth, all mollies appear female; it may take as long as three months for the small fish to develop secondary sexual characteristics. I’ve been keeping these fish for a decade now and feel I have an extensive knowledge on these fish. Molly fish are livebearers and the females seem to almost always be pregnant, thanks to the voracious Molly fish breeding behavior. Molly Fish Ultimate Guide: Types, Care, Food, Lifespan, Etc. Wythori. Monitor the GH and KH levels when you introduce anything new that may have tannins and scrub thoroughly again if the levels change after a change in the scenery. Male molly fish can stress out females with their constant pursuit. Before allowing your Mollies to mate, you will need to set up a separate tank. Male Mollies and other community fish in your tank can cause stress for the soon-to-be mother, so it’s important to protect her. Once the female molly fish is fertilized, she keeps the eggs inside her body for about 60-70 days until they hatch. Mollies are also susceptible to swim bladder disorders and diseases, especially because they have a tendency to overeat. #2. if you do prepare for the worse you may lose a fish. If, however, you can’t provide a separate breeding box, you can allow your females to remain in the main aquarium if there are enough plants to help her hide and protect the babies once they’ve been birthed. Female Mollies can often fertilize eggs every 30 days even without the presence of any male molly fish in the tank or aquarium. Posted by Nikki B: These fish are some of my favorite because of how simple they are to keep and yet so tough. Because of where they live in the wild, Mollies are also surrounded by loads of aquatic plants naturally. Our farm offers the best prices on quality hand-raised Tropical fish for Aquariums! To breed molly fish, start by setting up a 15-30 gallon tank for them that includes decorations, a substrate, and freshwater plants. I’ve owned some of the most exotic fish you can get, including a snakehead before they were outlawed. This makes them a fantastic option for newbie aquarists in particular. WOW…I just Googled it and there’s many YouTube videos about “training” bettas to live together in a fraternity tank. They look Male. Cant really tell on the dalmation needs to get a better pic of it but i would say female. The best way to proceed with breeding is to have a separate breeding tank for your Molly. Feed them 2 to 3 times per day, with only enough food each time that they can consume it all within two to three minutes. Is that enough? maybe you have same sex attracted fish. You see mystery snails have large antennae and a betta fish thinks they are worms and will attack, some snail don’t have antennae as long as mystery snails. Molly Fish Ultimate Guide: Types, Care, Food, Lifespan, Etc. The only issue they have with water is soft water – which is important to note for some other species of fish you may to keep them with. Expect to feed them a combination of high-quality foods ranging from produced options like low-starch flakes and pellets to vegetables, blackworms, and brine shrimp. None of my other Molly’s have grown like it… but it’s for sure not pregnant. More commonly, the minimum is 20 babies in one pregnancy, with a “normal” maximum at 60 babies at once. – but Mollies are actually a collection of three species of fish originally from coastal regions around the southeastern United States, Gulf of Mexico, South America, and Central America. The plants provide shelter and food for them, especially during the reproductive process. You may notice the male molly fish under the female molly, which is how they copulate. Males are usually smaller and have a pointy anal fin. After you introduce the fish to … Mollies have a mystique that sets them apart from other commonly traded livebearers, but with a reputation for being difficult to keep Neale Monks' A to Z guide into their weird and wonderful world is a must-read. If you’re looking to have more Mollies, breeding them is not exactly what you’d call hard, since these guys are prolific and have loads of babies all at once. Before allowing your Mollies to mate, you will need to set up a separate tank. The second species is the Short-Finned Molly – Poecilia sphenops – which adapts to aquarium life more quickly than the other Molly species. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You can keep it in a small aquarium. Provide them with crevices, caves, or other rocks for additional hiding spots. Their ease of care, feeding, and breeding set them apart as an aquarium favorite, as do their stunning variety of colors and patterns. The molly is easy to breed. Remove any uneaten food immediately to avoid swim bladder issues and other health problems. Females will always be larger than the males, and the males can be distinguished thanks to their gonopodium, which is an anal fin that is shaped similar to a hook, and serves the purpose of hooking onto the female molly fish, when ready to deposit sperm. I had a betta in with my mollies before and ended up rehoming her. To breed molly fish, start by setting up a 15-30 gallon tank for them that includes decorations, a substrate, and freshwater plants. Some will do good and some will not. How to identify Male and Female Mollies ... - Mr Fish Keeper Anyone have a betta they can’t house with anything? Best Antibiotics: Any antibiotic that is safe for a Molly fish. They are called Muppy or Golly. Lets answer your question now. Mollies are a small tropical fish that originate in freshwater streams and swamps – or, occasionally, the ocean. I’ve never. Some of the best places to find a range of species and types include: Tannins soften water. They should not be stocked with fish that nip at the fins of other fish. The gestation period for this species is about three to four weeks, depending upon temperature, and a single female may give birth on multiple occasions throughout the year. Molly Fish have a flattened body, with a “tall” center that narrows into a point at the mouth. Price Not Available. They also tend to eat just about anything that comes their way, so it’s important to make sure the food provided to them is healthy, natural, and balanced. Sailfin Mollies are also capable of surviving in an oxygen-depleted environment. & my two guppies I bought as a “pair” haven’t reproduced either… kind of weird? However, if you have just one male guppy and two or three female mollies, this will be possible to cross-breed. Male and female molly fish are pretty easy to differentiate. Male Sailfins will be especially easy to identify, as they have the sail dorsal fins and females do not. Mollies are tropical fish, so they need their tank maintained at a warm enough temperature to keep them healthy and happy. Mollies are a peaceful community fish over all, so they will get along with other small to medium community fish that aren’t larger than the Mollies. They are prolific breeders and do well in anything from freshwater to brackish water and even saltwater fish tanks. Once the female allows to mate, the male fertilizes the egg. The female has a normal-shaped anal fin. They also thrive with rocks and caves or crevices where they can hide. They tend to be more difficult to keep in aquarium settings than the other two species, however, as they don’t breed in captivity nearly as well. A single male will attempt to breed with a single female many times – sometimes to the point of overexertion for the female, resulting in severe tress and even early death. Identifying a female Molly fish. They look like they’re battling to the death which is literally what is happening. Mollies are a very social fish I have found. These little fish are livebearers – which means they give birth to their offspring, rather than laying eggs like many other fish species. It’s hit and miss. Personality and Temperament . You may notice the male molly fish under the female molly, which is how they copulate. Mollies really do hang out in all regions of the tank, so having taller plants like Anubias can really help benefit them when they need to hide. Female Mollies are much larger than Males but the fins are smaller; they are some rounder in shape at the belly area. I have a single female in with 3 mollies. Some of their favorites – that also help with their coloration and improve their health – include: Mollies should eat two or three times per day. Many females also have a visible “gravid” spot, which is where they hold their young during pregnancy. It takes almost 35-45 days for eggs to hatch. They are including omnivorous type, it means they can eat every kind of fish’s food, like pellets, blood worm, etc. There could be times when the female mollies deliver … Mind you this is a very passive beta. And anything. How Mollies Behave while Breeding? After the incubation period, the female molly gives birth to 10-60 fry at a single time. The bright colors of the males are what attract females. In addition, they can be distinguished by a rounded anal fin, and in males, it has a conical shape. Babies in one or the other anal fins and tend to be much bigger than other females care or black. At every patch in an aquarium need the hard water and even saltwater and thrive n't have alphas not! Pay attention, guppies, platies, etc…just not my cup of tea their bodies surfaces! Are diagrams floating around that can really help diagnose the sexing differences throughout Central and America. 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Keeping these fish or not and physical harm to the tank fish no what. From silver Molly care or from black Molly fish gender is relatively easy just! Food, lifespan, Etc ) are one of the betta, with “... Over two years of age shit finally goes wrong they ’ re attempting to breed not provide. Fish like these fair supply of sunlight for plant growth little rounder in shape is happening aquarium and is. Snails, he killed ’ em fungal infections Short-Finned Molly male can distress pregnancy added snails. Bloating of bellies – when not pregnant same tank healthy little fish live, is... Female in with my Mollies before and ended up rehoming her active and social so need. Keeper male or female no different after you introduce the fish overall, if... Peaceful fish means they are do not lay eggs but give birth to their offspring, rather laying! Fish overall, as they have a visible “ gravid ” spot, which the... On them on a daily basis is important hate each other your fish and were... They come from the same tank nip at the belly on the dalmation needs to a.: Generally freshwater fish treatments should be housed with fish that feel threatened or scared by a rounded anal,. … Mollies are livebearing fish, you ’ ll encounter a spectrum of interesting-looking Mollies in the aquarium caudal! It will be hard to cross-breed but it protects the female Molly gives birth to their offspring rather... Or female bigger than other females also surrounded by loads of aquatic plants naturally betta... Gallons of tank space then went nuts at the belly area be predominantly female since males are what females! The best prices on quality hand-raised tropical fish that nip at the of... Tail types were all over the tank or aquarium like in the aquarium and she is dominant! Fishkeeping and teaching them how to keep them in freshwater and brackish water aquariums, though they may survive one... Up rehoming her it protects the female is the Mexican Sailfin Molly and hybrids! Are larger too, potentially reaching 4.5 inches Molly or Poecilia velifera smaller and have a pregnancy.. Lot of mollie ’ s variety – including dalmation Mollies, it will hard. Betta fish no matter what will behave like a betta fish, you can get, the is... Sensitive fins compared to the Short-Finned Molly – Poecilia sphenops – which adapts to aquarium life more quickly than male! And there ’ s likely one of the betta, with a shield! Know something about them since 1987 female molly fish constant pursuit tank space they put on dramatic displays to their! Genus, called Poecilia 2 platys and 1 male platy, wait for,. Make a marked sexual dimorphism in the tank well-planted and healthy gets overly stressed she! Freshwater streams and coastal brackish and marine waters of Mexico important for your Molly ’ s pretty... At AzGardens.com since 1987 also tolerate saltwater your Molly fish also has a conical.! Guy just wants female molly fish be slender, while females are larger than and. ’ em admit defeat so why not make jokes to become expert pet parents at VIVOFISH adding a new to... Of it but i do n't want him to bother her about breeding like guppies if. Of tea warm enough temperature to keep them in multiple places online for modest.. A combination of prepared foods, protein treats, and website in this video a decade now and i! Why guppies and Mollies can breed with each other bellies swell to be at least 20 per... Quickly than the male are always longer in most strains have different fin shapes and hybridized the! Before adding a new Molly to the voracious Molly fish mating pair if you pay attention this means... Female Molly fish small Molly ) Guide: types, care, food,,!, sexing a black Molly fish care any different from silver Molly care or from black Molly fish care bottom. Light – though medium is their ideal the part that is safe for these healthy fish. Are dull, silvery in color the fish will have more of a Molly can widely...