Weird Molly Behavior

[geowashlaw]

I got a new silver lyre-tail molly yesterday. It is about 1/3 the size of the adult dalmation molly we already had. The dalmation molly chases the new one around the tank with it's nose stuck between the two fins on the belly ... almost like a dog smelling another dog's butt ... any idea why it is doing this ... also, I noticed it was doing it to our platy yesterday morning ...

[troy]

I think it wants to mate with the molly.:hmm3grin2orange:

[Wild Turkey]

I agree sounds like hes checking her out/vice versa
Get ready for some fry

[geowashlaw]

how do you know if they are male or female? is the juvenile really old enough to breed? why would it have been doing this to the platy?

[Wild Turkey]

how do you know if they are male or female? is the juvenile really old enough to breed? why would it have been doing this to the platy?

I dont do Livebearers so i wouldnt really know about sexing them, i can try to find an article for you real quick but im sure of the more LB prefering members will be around soon to give you some input.

[troy]

Check the sticky at the top of this section.

[Northernguy]

The females have a black spot near their anal fin called the gravid spot.When they are pregnant that spot will get larger as she develops.
The fish will chase her and try and grab a fresh meal as she gives birth.
If you want to breed them ,the best way is with a fry tank.When she is ready to pop place her in it.Take her out after they are born.Its cool to watch!
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/livebearer/mollies.php

[Collin1104]

to tell the sex of a molly or a platy you can look at the anal fin.. females have a fan like anal fin while males dont have one at all. the males have a tube which is used in mating. livebearer mating is not a rare sight so be prepared to cover your eyes lol

[geowashlaw]

I looked around on the internet for references on sexing mollies (and platties) ... I believe I have a male and a female of each ... oh joy! ... I was not really planning on raising babies ... wonder if my children would be traumatized or amused by the site of the bigger fish eating them?

[Collin1104]

so i guess the silver lyretail is the female, it might be a while before you see any fry if she is too small

[geowashlaw]

yes, she is the small one.

will they crossbread like that, i.e., a dalmation molly and a silver lyre-tail?

same question re: platties, my platties are a sunburst wag and a mickey mouse...

[troy]

Yep. Those mollies are one and the same species. Same with the platys.

[geowashlaw]

may produce some interesting looking fry ... this may be entertaining ...

[Collin1104]

silver dalmation lyretail molly :11: