New mollie owner - concerned about breeding

[Nightflier]

I was looking for 6-8 small, pretty fish to put in my 20 gal. fresh water aquarium. I noticed the mollies - white/marble - very pretty. I purchased 8 and brought them home. I had asked the pet store associate if they were fresh water fish, and he said yes, that they were easy keepers.

Upon getting home, I searched the web for the appropriate temperature to keep the little guys at. As I read different commentaries, I began reading about how mollies need salt, can be very aggressive, and breed like little banshees!

This concerns me, as I was not prepared for breeding. I want to ensure my little mollies are taken care of, however, in the event this occurs. I cannot tell the males from the females at this point.

I also have 2 10. gal. tanks (one betta in each). I have had bettas for about 5 years, and love them - the mollie world is a new venture for me.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated - I'm not sure I wish to start a fish hatchery! :c12:

[ncbuckeye]

To tell the sexes apart you have to look at the anal fins, the females have an actual fin, the males have a goulum (sp), which looks like you know what. I've been using salt in all my tanks, I haven't had any problems, but I've been told that I don't need it, but I'm going to keep some in all mine. I think your betta might eat some of the babies, but I haven't lost to many of mine, if you want to keep some babies alive, need to feed them, and give them plenty of hiding spaces.

[Nightflier]

Thanks, ncbuckeye - I do have the bettas separate. Just didn't want to raise fish - wish the pet store guy would have let me know they are little breeding fanatics! I'll hold off on the salt for now. I had used some on my betta about a year go for illness - very little - worked wonders. :c1:

[Adrian]

Yes, mollies breed like crazy. Yes, they do better with salt. Yes, they can get aggressive, usually with their own species.

1 tablespoon of aquarium salt is standard, however, you can get a way with 1 tbs per 10 gallons of water.

Mollies are pretty hardy fish. So do not worry to much about water perameters with them. They can survive in a wide range of settings. They do breed often, and, if you have other fish in the tank, they may keep the population down. Some will always survive, you can count on it.

Male mollies have a gonopodium fin where the anal fin is. The female has a normal looking fin. Just watch when two on them are chasing each other. Chances are high, that the male is the one behind, and female is in front. Check the differences of the bottoms of the fish, and you will see the difference.

Good luck in your endeavors.

[Nightflier]

Thanks Outlander - So what does one do with the fry - I know nothing about breeding. I have a feeling I'll be having 8 little glass fish tanks around the house for awhile. I have a sinking feeling I should have stuck with my bettas . .. :O

[ncbuckeye]

Thanks Outlander - So what does one do with the fry - I know nothing about breeding. I have a feeling I'll be having 8 little glass fish tanks around the house for awhile. I have a sinking feeling I should have stuck with my bettas . .. :O

A few things you can do with them,
1 Get an agresive fish to feed them to,
2 See if a lfs will buy them.
3 Find friends to give them too
4 breed breed breed have a couple hundred tanks.
5 Have 2 tanks, 1 for boys and the other for girls.