If you suspect that your molly fish is pregnant, there are several clues you should look for to confirm your assumption. Regarding physical signs, you will notice that the fish gradually develops a round belly as the babies start growing.
Black spots on the abdomen are also common. You should always take these observations carefully without bothering the fish too much. Regarding behavioral indicators, you may notice how the molly fish desires to consume more food. Feed her more often, as she needs all the nutrients.
While these species are quite peaceful, the female molly might express more aggression. It is natural, but it is recommended that you remove the male from the tank and keep them separately to reduce stress and injuries.
Signs they’re giving birth.
After you confirm that your molly fish is pregnant, you should look for behavioral signs telling you she is about to give birth. It is recommended to isolate the fish when it happens, so she doesn’t get disturbed.
In this situation, it is important to ensure a stress-free environment and make her feel comfortable. When your molly fish is about to give birth, she will swim less and prefer to stay in a small spot.
Here are some signs to look out for.
- Staying in one spot and not swimming much
- Isolating themselves
- She is isolating herself.
- Belly gets squared off.
If you have plants and decorative objects in your tank, she will hide behind them and stay out of sight. While you are used to feeding her more during her pregnancy, her appetite will suddenly disappear when she is close to giving birth.
Breeding them
This process can be interesting and fun; you will learn a lot when your molly fish are breeding. Compared to other species, the female will not lay eggs. The babies stay in the belly until they are ready to hatch. Once they enter this world, they can swim around your tank.
That is why it is recommended to isolate the pregnant molly fish. The little ones will have a hard time and even risk being eaten by bigger fish. Ensure a controlled environment if you want to breed molly fish, and the tank’s water temperature should be relatively warm.
Regarding partner choice, the female will always choose the largest male. You must place them in a separate tank and let the breeding process happen naturally.
Male vs. female
Identifying male and female molly fish is not difficult, especially if you know what you are looking for. If you want to allow them to breed, placing a male and female pair in a separate tank is important.
Male mollies are bolder and have a brighter color on their body compared to females, who are also smaller in size. The dorsal fin is present on all mollies, and males have them larger.
While females have little purpose for this part, males will use them to enhance their beauty and help with mating. You can also pay attention to their behavior and identify their gender by how they are acting.
Male ones are always looking for attention and will swim close to the female to mate with them. Females will often act uninterested, especially if they are not attracted to the male ones.
