Help with prego molly

[mom2reds]

How can you tell when they are about to have the babies and when should I try to put her in a breeder trap so the babies won't get eaten?

Thanks for any help I can get.

Tess

 

[rich311k]

She will get almost square looking towards the rear. If you have a lot of plants the young may survive without a net. The breeding net will stress her so keep a close eye on her.

 

[mom2reds]

So what do I do she looks pretty square at least in front not quite as much in the back. Do I just wait and then try to catch the babies after and put them in the net so they do not get eaten. I do have a five gallon tank but it is not cycled.

Thanks Tess

 

[Zagz]

You can try and catch the babies if you want. The mother can be moved to a breeder's trap anytime. Keep an eye on her, some mollies get stressed in breeders traps. If you catch the babies put them in a breeder's net in the main tank. Or take some media from your cycled filter and put it in the 5 gal and keep an eye on your parameters. I prefer the breeder's net myself.

 

[mom2reds]

Thanks Zagz That sounds good I think Iwill just try to catch the babies when she has them. and keep them in the breders net in the main tank.

Tess

 

[m.parker]

my molly just had babies, or baby.. i didnt even know, ive never had preggo fish...

i added 2 snails last night and i was just watching as the one golden was falling all over the driftwood, and i noticed a little spec near the top of the tank in my plants... i look a bit harder and it was a baby... woo hoo... i am a dad... lol but i only saw the one...

anyhow i put mom and the new found baby in my eclipse hex by themselves... is that ok? do they deliver one at a time, or all at once?

and is crushed flakes ok? i feed about twice a day.. once around 8a and then again between 7-10p

 

[rich311k]

If she is still very round she may have a few more. Be careful because she will eat her own babies. Put some moss or a floating plant in the tank to give the babies some cover.

 

[m.parker]

oh no.. i was worried about that... eekk well.. what household item can i float untill i get to the LFS?

 

[rich311k]

Punch some holes or make splits in a disposable tupperware would be my suggestion.

 

[m.parker]

oh ok, should i put the baby or the mom in it?

 

[rich311k]

Mom

 

[m.parker]

ok.. like this? do i need more holes poked? i am not really sure what i am doing... so i just watch, and if she has babies i pull them out of the cup? how do i know shes done? will she instantly eat them... i am going out later this afternoon and wont be home to watch... whats like a time line ? should i still keep the baby in the small tank, or move him back to the main tank?