Different variety of baby fish!

[SmallCloud]

I originally had 3 fish in my tank - Molly, Balloon Molly and Guppy (circled in red in the pic). I was told that all of them were male fish which I found later was a bluff because one fine day I found few fry swimming around. Since then every other month I notice new fish members in my tank, only 4-5 new fry at a time. I read about distinguishing male/female fish and based on that I think the guppy is male (I’m double sure because he follows the Molly around!). So, looks like they interbred. What is puzzling is how I have such different variety of fish - few look like balloon Molly, rest like Molly/Guppy?? I am also worried if they would give birth to more fish - I am worried about a possible explosion of fish in my 29-gallon tank. I already have 20 of them now

 

[Aiken Drum]

My understanding is that mollys and guppys can interbreed, but the fry are sterile. So that would explain guppy/molly hybrids.

I couldn't tell you what a hybrid looks like in. Maybe someone with livebearer experience can confirm this.

Mollys are also capable of storing sperm for upto a year and giving birth using this sperm every couple of months until this sperm is used up. That explains the molly babies presuming the fish had bred before you got her.

Do you know which came first mollys or guppy/molly hybrids?

A population explosion is likely if the molly and guppy keep breeding. Throw in the molly babies getting it on in the future also.

 

[SmallCloud]

Thank you, Aiken! It is relieving to know that the interbred fry are sterile. I think guppy/molly hybrid came first. I had the molly (along with a ghurami, few neon tetras and couple of guppies) for a long time but we did not get any fry. Only after I added the black&white guppy and the balloon molly we started getting fry. It’s all so confusing - I still am not fully sure who is the mommy! But one good news is that I spoke with Petco and they agreed to take few fry, if we get more.

 

[Autumnsky]

Also the Balloon Molly are hybridized and if the other fish orange is a male Molly then the babies may very well look like their dad, or the originating non Balloon genetic contributor from the momma's lineage. After they grow you will likely see who they favor as a parent.

 

[SmallCloud]

Thanks for the info, AutumnSky. Surprisingly, I do see couple of balloon molly fry as well - Not sure how? ? I am sharing the pics. Let me know if you have any theory. It’s a very confusing mix of fry in my aquarium!