Molly very aggressive, reading    8/9/08
I recently added a marbled Molly to our 10 gallon tank.
<Mmm, I'll comment that this is too small a volume to be viable...>
It seems that our Molly is a bit aggressive and the dominant fish in the tank.
<You only have one? A male?>
We currently have 2 African Dwarf frogs, 4 neon tetras,
<"Like" different water quality than Mollies>
3 zebra danios, one female red wag swordtail and a golden algae eater. Two of my swordtails died as a result of the Molly (one male and one female). Now my remaining swordtail hides all the time. Is this common.
<Mmm, yes>
I worry as she does not even come out for eating. Should I take my Molly out of the tank? I am still a novice as I have had my tank about 6 months. Thanks for any advice. Jennifer
<Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/mollies.htm
and the linked files above... Bob Fenner>

Mollies... comp.?  01/22/2008
I am thinking about getting some more fish. What kind of fish would go good with Mollies? Some of my Mollies bowl movements are long. Are they okay?
<Read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/mollies.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

Re: Black Mollies     2/16/08
Thanks Bob.
Yes I did add some hornwort and a little driftwood in the last few days. Food has been as normal (flake, Tubifex worms, algae wafers and shrimp pellets).
<Good.>
I'll raise the temperature and keep an eye on them.
<can make a difference with Mollies.>
The juvenile Black Molly was a mercy rescue from a pet store so wasn't researched like my other fish - I looked in a tank and saw the
little guy swimming for his life (probably from his parents) and took pity. I realized soon after that he was in fact more of a brackish
fish but he seemed to be doing fine till the flashing.
<Adding small amounts of marine salt mix (say, 3.5 grammes per litre) will make a big difference for the Mollies but is perfectly within the tolerances of other livebearers. In fact many livebearers will thrive under such conditions. So creating the brackish conditions isn't necessarily a bad thing.>
I'll look at these links now.
Thanks again Bob.
John
<Cheers, Neale.> <<Thank you for the follow-up Neale. RMF>>

Mollies... repro., gen.      12/31/07
Thanks for all of the help but I just thought of a couple more questions.
When you buy fish at the pet store some people say that they are most likely pregnant; is that true?
<If males and females were mixed, then yes. The best aquariums stores keep male and female livebearers apart, but unfortunately less sophisticated stores do not.>
Do you happen to have a couple pictures of male and female mollies?
<The top two photos of Mollies on this page are males:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/mollies.htm
It is REALLY easy! Seriously, if the anal fins of your fish all look the same, you probably only have one sex. Make sure you are looking at the right fin for a start. It's the unpaired fin on the bottom of the fish, close to the anus. On a female, the fin is obviously triangular, just like the anal fin or any other fish. On a male, the fin is a long, narrow, tube-like structure that is bent up against the body most of the time. When the male attempts to mate, he pulls the anal fin forwards, effectively forming a structure like a mammalian penis.>
I keep on looking at the anal fin and I just can't seem to get it.
<Look closer...>
It all looks the same to me.
<Really...?>
Some people say that all mollies are aggressive, but when I watch my fish only one of them (the long one) is aggressive.
<Male Mollies vary in aggression, but at their worst can be very troublesome.>
What fish are compatible with Dalmatian mollies that I can get at my local pet store?
<Mollies are generally easier kept in salted water at SG 1.003 upwards, so choose things that tolerate salt. Guppies, Orange Chromides, Monos, Scats, Archerfish, Violet gobies, Bumblebee gobies, Colombian shark catfish, and so on would all make superb choices. Mollies also do well in marine aquaria, so that's always an option! Avoid fish intolerant of salt such as Gouramis, barbs and tetras. Cheers, Neale.>

Mollies, English, reading   10/19/07
hello, this is my first tank. I have a 55gallon freshwater tank. i have one black molly, one Dalmatian, 2 balloon, one white, one gold, two tetras,
<... like very different water quality>
3 frogs and 2 catfish. I had a swordtail which suddenly died last week. the gold molly is staying to herself and kinda shaking around. the white molly is chasing the Dalmatian molly around a lot and being quite aggressive. I don't know how to determine if they are mating of which mollies are female and male. please help Xiomara
<Please read: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/mollies.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

Some Molly Issues...  10/12/07
Hi folks - very nice forum, full of good information and eats up a lot of time digesting all the advice!
I have some issues with my mollies - firstly I'll run through my setup:
1 Marble Mollie (Female)
1 Traditional Mollie (Female)
1 Traditional Mollie (Male)
1 Silver Sailfin Mollie (Male)
2 Pleco (Suckermouth 2-3" maximum)
60L Tank, 25'C Bogwood x 2, Java moss and some other traditional plants with fine sand ground and Tetra carbon filter.
<60 litres is too small for mollies. You'll have problems maintaining the zero nitrate conditions they need, and the sailfin mollies won't grow to full size.>
Now onto the issues...
The tank completed it's cycle about 3 weeks ago, during which these fish were in a smaller tank. However on re-integration back into this tank, all the Mollies all flick themselves off objects, be it airstone tubing, sand, bogwood or the filter.
<Sounds like incipient whitespot (ick). Look for small white spots.>
They also speedily swim to the surface and splash their tailfin on the surface, making loud splashes. I've checked closely for Ich, and they all seem clear.
<Ah, but whitespot can be on the gills, and in this case you won't see it.>
The water has just had a 40% change yesterday (it was going cloudy, so I replaced the filter cartridge and did a thorough syphon of the detritus and food remnants).
<Hmm... I don't recommend changing biological filter media unless absolutely essential. What sort of filter media are we talking about here? Obviously, replacing biological filter media re-sets the cycling process to the start. Carbon is redundant, and Zeolite shouldn't be required in a regular, properly maintained aquarium.>
Is this anything to worry about?
<Odd behaviour should always be observed closely.>
Secondly, the Sailfin male is very aggressive towards the other fish, and at least once a week will push the other male (who is actually bigger than the sailfin) in the corner, and generally stress him out.
<Completely normal. Male mollies are aggressive. In a 60 litre tank, the dominant male will eventually batter the others, if not to death, then into severe stress.>
However, the Sailfin sometimes when hanging in the water will slowly tilt upwards, until it is facing directly upwards. None of the other fish exhibit this behaviour at all. Is this something to be concerned about?
<Sailfin mollies have a distinct adaptation to living in low-oxygen waters (such as brackish water ditches in the wild). They orient themselves head-upwards, and suck the surface layer of water in the mouth and across their gills. Most other livebearers don't do this. If your sailfin is doing this repeatedly, check water quality.>
I am gradually adding small amounts of marine salt into the water (not too much as I'm aware that the Pleco's won't appreciate it) as I have been doing for 2 days now, in an effort to rectify this issue and the flicking issue, is that futile?
<Treat for whitespot/ick using a standard medication of some sort. Quicker and easier. Common Plecos (Pterygoplichthys spp.) are fairly salt tolerant, and with care will do well at SG 1.003. This should be a high enough salinity for your mollies. But long term, I'd swap out the Plecos for a true low-end brackish water catfish, such as Hoplosternum littorale or (the true) Hypostomus plecostomus. These are fine up to SG 1.005. You can of course keep large mollies with brackish/marine cats such as 'Arius' seemanni and Mystus gulio.>
Thirdly, I have these 'Hikari Tropical' Algae Wafers, made up of everything (it would be a super food if it was for humans I reckon). I usually drop one in and leave it for the Plecos, however I've noticed that the Mollies eat it too. Further to this, could these wafers be responsible for the water going cloudy?
<No, these won't make the water cloudy by themselves. They are of course excellent food for plecs as well as mollies. Both species eat a lot of algae and plant material. Water cloudiness comes from three different things: silt from unwashed gravel, bacterial blooms during the early phase of cycling, and overstocking (and it's associated hazard, overfeeding).>
On a separate note, I have a smaller 30L Tank downstairs which has 5 Female Guppies, 2 Male, 3 Neon Tetras and 1 baby Mollie - the Guppies are giving birth this week, but the fry seem quite large - are the fry at any risk of being eaten despite seeming too big for the Guppies?
<Some will get eaten, yes. Depends a lot on floating plants. If you have lots of floating plants, most fry should be fine.>
I don't know how I would catch them either - they are well hidden in the Java Moss, and they would probably pass through my smallest net's gauze.
<I catch fry with small plastic cups, rather than nets. Turkey basters can be used, too.>
Thanks for any assistance!
MPH
P.S. if you could email me the link if you update the FAQs with my Q+A that would be most helpful - if not too busy, a reply would be super too, cheers!
<Cheers, Neale>

Re: Some Molly Issues...  10/12/07
Thanks for the fast reply - the filter cartridge I replaced was merely the carbon cartridge in my 'Tetra Aqua Art 60L' tank - the bacteria grow in the other elements of the filter itself, so the Cartridge is alright to replace (or so Tetra proclaim).
<Indeed. Carbon can be changed as often as you can afford. Certainly, carbon stops doing its thing after a couple of weeks. But personally I consider carbon useless in the average community tank. Water changes are more effective at removing pollutants, and you can replace the carbon's space with more biological media. Carbon is cheap, sounds technical, and thus gets used by manufacturers to sell (at a high price) what is basically just charcoal.>
I note that you said that 60L was too small for Mollies - what is a good size tank for them in this case?
<Depends on the mollies. I'd keep Shortfin varieties in something around 90 litres, and Sailfins in something above 150 litres. Sailfin mollies should exceed 10 cm in length, and potentially up to 15 cm depending on the species. They're big fish.>
Thanks for any assistance,
Matt
<Cheers, Neale>

Mollies, children on the Net   5/25/07
hi
<Hi>
everyone,
I went to the pet store a few weeks ago and bought one male black molly, one female Dalmatian molly, and one orange male fish with a black tail. I think my Dalmatian molly is pregnant, she wiggles a lot when she swims and has a hump in her stomach. Should i put in some molly bright?
<Maybe>
she was also kept in a tank with males. If she is pregnant when should I put her in a divider?
   please help!
  Kyleigh
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/mollydisfaqs.htm
and the linked files above. RMF>

Using WWM... sexing Mollies   5/8/07
Hi I just bought some silver sail-fin mollies and one of them is a male and the other is a female, but my question is how can you tell if the female is pregnant or is it just her body structure that cause her to look plump???
p.s. hope you can send me a picture so i can tell the differences!!! :)
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/mollyreprofaqs.htm
and the linked files above. BobF>

Overstocked Aquarium? Molly Qs   7/24/06
Hi. I have a 10-gallon freshwater aquarium. Without getting too off topic, I hope, on a recent trip to GA to visit my mother (I live in AR) I unexpectedly delivered a premature baby and was (obviously) unable to maintain my tank.
<!?>
Many of my fish died *sniff*. What remains is as follows:
1 green tiger barb (it was his schoolmates who died), 1 Kribensis cichlid, 1 lyre-tailed molly (added post-death), 1 striped spiny catfish (also added post-death), and 1 golden algae eater (I am now aware of your take on these and am considering its removal). I was hoping to add balloon mollies, but am unsure of 1. how many to add and
<One... a female preferably... two females... or a trio, with one male...>
2. whether they will get along with my barb.
<Should if there's room>
Also, as I am more experienced with the barbs, I was wondering if there is anything especially significant that I should keep in mind
concerning the keeping of the balloon mollies. Thank you.
<Mmm, please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/mollyfaqs.htm
and the linked files above... like different water quality than the Krib, need vegetable material in good quantity in their diet... Bob Fenner>

Use of UV Sterilizer on Molly Fry tank
Hi all,
I was thinking about using a UV Sterilizer for a Black Molly rearing  tank. My reasoning is that it would be an extra form of protection for the  fry considering how delicate & susceptible to disease they are. What  do you think?  Good or bad idea?
<Would help, wouldn't hurt>
Also how is a UV Sterilizer  connected?
Does it run independently or does it have to be attached to a filter  or something?  Thanks.
The MollyMan
<Needs a fluid-moving source and electricity. Please see here re:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/UVFAQs.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

Molly Behavior while pregnant... no useful env. info.   6/17/06
I have a pregnant Dalmatian molly and a male that wont leave her alone.
<Common... good to have a better sex ratio (more females), larger systems with decor... plants...>
I separated her for 4 days and no fry. I also have 2 female mixed mollies that look like they are also pregnant and today both of them started laying on
the bottom of the tank on the rocks. Is this normal pregnancy behavior?
<No>
Should I put the Dalmatian molly back and put these two in the breeder's net? Fry are new to me...so, any info is very much appreciated.
Thanks.
<... not possible to give advice with the information presented. Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/mollysysfaqs.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

Mollies...  - 03/13/2006
Hi
  I have a question about my mollies.  they are baby mollies and they are about 2 centimeters small and I was wondering how many I could fit into a 5 gallon tank
<Please see WWM: http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwlivestkindex.htm
re Mollies, Systems... Bob Fenner>

Molly, new additions  - 03/13/2006
Hi again!
sorry to bug you once more but my molly has worsened her bright yellow color
is almost gone she is just about white so today I noticed that she had begun
to show signs of a cottony white substance on her body and tiny white spots
on her fins and tail. I went and bought Ichaway assuming that's what it is I
dosed her and let her be. I actuality she seems better she is swimming
about and eating quite normally Is what Im doing okay? if not what else can
I do? Oh yes is it absolutely necessary that mollies have salt in their tank?
Well in other news one of my female guppies died I think she may be the
mother of the seven tiny fry I found later I am quite excited but how do I
tell what kind of fish the fry are? One last question how man fish can I put
into my ten gallon? I want twenty-one total they are all small fish
livebearers is that okay? I hope so... Thank you in advance
-Maria
<Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/mollydisfaqs.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

My Dalmatian Mollie has Popeye!!!!!! What do I treat it with!!?? Don't know what the water is like, so sorry!   2/24/06
<... see WWM re Mollies, Pop-Eye... Bob Fenner>

Help needed about my mollies ... NNS - 02/20/06
Hello! I am Atif, i am a beginner about aquarium fish. I have 2 gold  fishes and 2 koi or may they shubunkin. I have 3 female mollies and 1  male.
<The mollies and the goldfish/koi should be in separate systems...>
I don't know about a red one whether its a molly or a platy. That  platy of molly (female ) attacks both koi and gold fish but not other  mollies. One white female molly remains at the top just searching for  the food i think and when the male comes at the top it chases her. That  black molly male keep chasing the other black female and just i think  taps to its anus of the female with its mouth ( i think it is that ).
<Normal behavior... reproductive>
  Now how do i know that one male is making pair with a female molly. Do  the mollies and platies do mate with each other. I cannot afford  another tank. My current tank is 2.2 long and 1 feet width and 1.5 cm  high.   
   Please tell me some instructions on how to make my mollies and  other fishes do live good with each other and i also have 2 guppies in  the tank. Can i put one more pair of the mollies in the tank. I mostly  feed once in a day. I have put a PVC pipe at the gravel to act as a  cave for mollies and guppies. But only once i a day they do in the cave  for 2-3 seconds. Also i put some plants to the aquarium and my  goldfishes ate there leaves and then after some days they even broke  into pieces from there stem and now that broken stems are floating at  the top. Do i remove them or not. Also do i clean my sides of the tank  mostly or i leave them to have some food for the mollies like algae.
  Remember my mollies have only taken 2 weeks in the tank. How long they  will take to give birth to fries and how do i know that they are a pair  or what things they do to do sex with each other.
    Thanks a Lot. I am having trouble with this hobby at the start and don't want to finish this. I need your serious advice
<Likely separating out the "pond fish" (goldfish, koi) will give the livebearers enough space to reduce aggression here. Separate them. Bob Fenner>

New Mollie 10/17/05
I’m new to fish. It is a black, gold and white molly in with a guppy. I had no bottled water at room temp but HAD to change the nasty bowl, I think I made the h2o either to hot or to cold. He is just kind of sitting around, usually very active. I did put a little aquarium salt in it. What should I do? I really like this fish. He’s a great OU fan named Boomer and his guppy buddy is Sooner! Thank You.
Holly
<Hi Holly, I would start by reading the following article on setting up a freshwater aquarium, it sounds like you may need to upgrade from a bowl to a fish tank, also there is no need to use bottled water, you can pick up some water conditioner at the local fish store and used conditioned tap water. The water added to a tank during a water change should be the same as the water in the tank. http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwset-up.htm.  Best Regards, Gage>

How long are silver  mollies pregnant? WWM
I have not been able to find this on the internet and my local pet shop is
not sure. I have a Silver Molly that I believe is pregnant but I was
wondering how long before we should have babies. I have put her in a small
breeding tank to make sure that the male will not bother her.
Any advise you have to offer would be so welcomed.
Thank you
Kimberly Jones
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/mollyreprofaqs.htm
Bob Fenner>

Sick Mollies
Ok... I just noticed the spots on two Mollies in my fish tank today. I introduced a new Molly six days ago. That one was a birthday gift for my four year old. I can't kill these fish they are his babies. I tested the ammonia, pH, and nitrates about a week ago and everything checked out ok. 
I checked them today and the ammonia and pH spiked bad and the nitrates are perfect. I just did a 25% water change and put Wardley WaterCare Ick Away in my tank with a half dose of ammonia eliminator as per the pet store. I didn't realize till after I put in the ick away that it says don't use with tetras and I have two of those too. 
AM I GOING TO KILL THEM?
<These medications that are based with malachite green are very toxic to tetras, catfish and some loaches. You probably have introduced ich into your tank with the new molly.>
The tetra's don't have spots but cant they still be affected by the Ich if the other fish have it in the same tank?
< They will get it too . They are just not showing any symptoms yet.>
I do have a fish bowl I could move them to but I am new to this and I just don't know... could someone please hurry and tell me what I am doing wrong, or right for that matter, to my poor fish?
< You could add some carbon to the filter and that would remove it too. Do a 30% water change, vacuum the gravel and change the filter. Once the medication is gone I would get some rid-ich II by Kordon that is especially formulated for sensitive fish. Follow the directions on the package. After treating I would add carbon to remove the medication and then add some BioSpira to get the bacteria going for the nitrification process. Go to Marineland.com and see Dr. Tim's Library for an article titled " The First Thirty Days" for info on the ammonia problems.>
The infected ones also lay a lot on the bottom of the tank and only get up to say hi when I open the lid cause they are
such cute friendly fish... I'd really hate to lose them :(. Please help me with any ideas. It's a ten gallon tank been running about two or three months. Total of three little mollies two little tetras and a little algae eater. Plants, rocks, etc. It has a bio filter wheel thing, do I need to do anything to that since I don't believe it has charcoal? 
<Remove the BioWheel when medicating so it does not kill the good bacteria on the wheel. Store it in a damp wheel in a container with aquarium water. You can also get rid of the ich by increasing the water temp to 82 degrees for awhile. It sometimes stresses the fish so you need very good aeration.-Chuck> 

Molly questions
I have a molly that just gave birth to a fry. I have the babies separated. I was wondering how long it with take for them to mature and joining the rest of the community (tetras and mollies).
Also, what do you recommend feeding the fry?
-Tara
<Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwlivestkindex.htm.  Scroll down to the livebearer, Molly FAQs archives and read re. Bob Fenner>

Balloon Mollies
I have read a lot of your Q & A's about mollies, not all of them, but enough to figure my question is not answered. we are first time tank people, have had our tank about a week. we bought 3 female (that's what I told them to give me anyway) balloon mollies yesterday. I was wondering if our 10 gallon would hold about 5 females, a small bottom feeder and 1 or 2 of those small brown frogs.
<Should be fine>
it seams like a lot, but it also seems like everyone else is trying to breed, we are not. from the sound of it constant baby flow is the cause of high levels.
<Of?>
we just set the tank up recently and of course are going to watch it for about a month before we start adding (slowly), but with weekly water changes and frequent testing I think its possible. am I full of nonsense?
<No... the slow, careful approach is best here>
honestly we will probably be getting a larger tank in the future, but with only 4 or so fish I think it would look kind of bare. also another question, I know pregnant mollies and tanks with males and females nip at each other, but my 3 are supposedly female and they are doing it frequently, especially to one in particular. is this natural or do I have a male or 2?
<You could or not... the spawn (they likely will... can/do store sperm in their tracks) will likely produce some males>
thank you very much for your time, I hope that I did not ask anything ridiculous that you have answered more than 20 times. have a wonderful day!
Jackie
<Thank you my friend. Bob Fenner>

Sick Dalmatian molly
I looked through the other questions, but didn't see anything quite like this. I was changing the water in my tank today (7 gallon) and had put my 2 Dalmatian mollies (1m, 1f) in a "goldfish bowl" while I did a partial water change in the tank. (The water in the bowl was straight from the tank.) In the bowl, I noticed the male was starting to spaz out. He would be swimming normally and then just jerk as if he was being electrocuted. I assumed it was due to the pH of the water
being off (which is why I was doing the water change.) 
I have since returned him to the main tank and he is now lying on the bottom of the tank, barely moving. His side fins are constantly flapping at about the same speed as if he were stationary in the tank. One of my other fish was acting this way a few weeks ago, but once I neutralized the pH, he was better. My real concern is that it appears as though the molly has a broken bottom lip. His bottom lip is bent completely down and away from his face so that his mouth is stuck open.
<Yikes... sounds like it got whacked on the bowl's edge while it was zooming about>
He did not eat when I fed them and it didn't look like he even attempted. I was going to pull him from the tank and see if I could bend his lip back up but I was afraid of injuring him further. Can you tell me what is happening to my poor fish? Thanks in advance!
<Thank you for your clear writing... I think you are correct in that your Molly did just "flip out" with the moving, injured itself. I do hope it will self-cure... there is naught else that I would do. Bob Fenner>

Mollies and Snails
WWM Crew,
First, I must say your site has been very informative. I've learned so much! I have read plenty about Mollies etc, but I have a couple concerns re: my mollies.
I currently have 3 of them. 1 silver molly (M), 1 silver lyretail (F), and black molly (F). My concern is with the two silver mollies. I did read that it is not uncommon for the male to chase around the female trying to breed. However my male is NONSTOP harassing the other silver female (she's pregnant too), and rarely messes with the black molly. Is there a special reasoning behind that?
<Mmm, no... or not really. Some males are just like this... having more females, more "other" fishes, plants, other decor to break-up the physical environment... helps>
I am worried that he will just wear her out, but I don't want to stock my tank with more females as I am already taking care of 16 fry as it is. Any ideas on the best way to handle this randy boy?? hahaha
<Isolate him... at least for a while... perhaps in a floating, plastic colander if you don't have another tank>
Second question... When is it safe to put the fry back into the larger tank with the adult mollies without the risk of them being eaten?
<When they're "big enough" to not be consumed>
I have 2 that are about a month old, but I don't want to take them out of the net too prematurely. The others are only a day or two old. Do you judge based on size? or age?
<Size>
And lastly (are you sick of me yet? haha), about a week and a half ago I noticed a small snail in my tank. Have NO IDEA how it got there as I sure didn't buy one from the store!! Then, when doing a water change the other, came across ANOTHER one that was twice it's size. I'm assuming it was under gravel somewhere because there's no way you could miss it otherwise! How do I know if it's ok to keep in the tank and breeding of snails etc?? I do NOT want more snails!! I have looked at the info on this site re: snails, and haven't come across one that looks like mine. Is it better to wait till they're more grown to determine the type of snail? And just out of curiosity... any ideas on how snails got in my tank?
<Come in... with fish purchases in the water, some live foods... can be eliminated in a few ways, but not likely a problem... perhaps a help in keeping your tank clean... Not harmful to your fishes>
Is it possible they hitched a ride on the fish as tiny lil thingies on them? Sounds crazy but, I have no other clue as to their appearance! 
Thank you so much in advance for any help you can give! I will continue to research your site for more information. It's a great tool!!
Sarah
<Thank you for being part of it. Bob Fenner> 

Breeding mollies
Hi, I have a numerous amount of female and male mollies in my tank and I have been trying to breed them forever. They haven't had babies yet. Now I am looking at a female Dalmatian molly I just bought about a week ago. It looks a little bit fat and I have a net breeder I can put it in. I just don't know when to put my Dalmatian into it. I don't even know if it is pregnant. Can you tell me how it would look, act, or any sign to where I would know if it was pregnant or not?
<Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwlivestkindex.htm.  Scroll down to Mollies... read the FAQs posted. Bob Fenner> 

Re: Breeding mollies
<Live bearers get rounded bellies and then a black area appears in the belly area before the tail.>
I found that on your page that you told me to look at, and I was wondering if that is all I need to know about my molly.
<Is it? If this satisfies you in terms of knowing... so be it. These are the two best descriptors/indications of imminent birthing... Bob Fenner>

Cross breeding mollies
Hi
I had an odd question and was hoping you could help me. I have a black molly, several Gouramis and a tri color shark in a 40 gallon tank. I have had the molly for about 1 and 1/2 years, and all of a sudden she is having babies. How is this possible? I have never had any babies before (I know it was her as I saw her have a few of them) nor have I ever had any other molly in the tank. I did have 2 platies in the tank for about two weeks while my 10 year old's tank was being repaired but that was several months ago. Could they have "cross-bred".
Thanks
Michelle
<Mmm, platies and swordtails can/do cross-breed, but I have not heard of a case of such breeding with Mollienesia... all livebearing fishes can store sperm in their tracks for a period of time... but a year and a half? Unusual... the reproductive behavior and physiology of the several Molly species is involved to put it lightly... there is even an "Amazon" Molly that produces haploid offspring... not using sperm genetically... Bob Fenner>

Chocolate Salty Mollies..
>I have been reading your Molly FAQ's.  Regarding adding salt to the Molly tank----
1-- How much salt per gallon?
>>You'll want to measure with a hydrometer, I prefer a lab grade float for accuracy and decent price. Mollies can "swing both ways" - this means they can go from completely fresh water to completely marine environs.
>2-- Is regular noniodized table salt OK.
>>I wouldn't, I would use a sea salt mix. The utility of non-iodized salts for the table is purely for medicinal/prophylactic treatments. Also, don't make the mistake I did the first time I swung some mollies to salt - I did it too fast (in just a few hours) and one "popped" (looked like a pine cone, then shimmied, shook, and died. Boy did I feel AWFUL!).
>Thanks!
Rick
>>You're welcome. Marina 

Mating Male Molly Mishaps
Hi, have a Dalmatian male Mollie and he seems to be attacking my female black molly.
<Sounds like he is trying to mate. This is fairly common behavior in livebearing fishes.>
Her fin on the top of her body seems to be all torn up now that this is happened. He did this to the last female Mollie I had that was black, and to one of my other fish. The other fish and the last female I had died because of this.
<Sounds like you should consider relocating him or not purchasing any more fish!>
Why is he constantly doin' this, and should I take the male out of my tank and put him in his own?
<He is doing this probably because he wants to procreate. To multiply. To breed. To reproduce. To propagate. To generate more mollies. To carry on the species. He is being met with resistance from the females, and continues to harass them to fornicate. This harassment is ultimately leading to their deaths. It is common practice among livebearers breeders to include several females to every one male of a species to disperse the aggression. Good luck, Mike G.> 
<Excellent alliteration of the title, Mike!>

GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY
Hello! I have recently started up a tank, and there are a few mollies. I do not know how to sex them. One of them was really fat, and I thought it was pregnant, turns out, it is a balloon belly.. Well, it has been hiding for 4 days now. I figured maybe it was a she and was about to give birth. She was eating a little here and there, and mostly stayed hidden. This afternoon, I got a breeder net and put her in it. A little while later I noticed a black molly was getting fat and had a clearish something coming out of it. (like a poop rope, only clear) So I stuck it in the breeding tank too. Well, the balloon belly started chasing black molly around and coming up under her like they were mating. So, I took the balloon belly out, assuming now that she is a he. The main question is, if it is a he, then why would he be all sulky and hiding? ~Charly~
< To sex mollies as well as other live bearers you need to look under the tail at the anal fin. Females have a regular looking triangular fin while males have a long tube like fin that has been adapted to insert into the females to fertilize their internal eggs. New fish may take awhile to acclimate to their new surroundings. There is a pecking order to be figured out in almost all tanks. If your fish was alone then they would feel more comfortable in schools or small groups.-Chuck.> 

Black molly care
Hi
I hope you can help me. I inherited a fish tank with black mollies in it only 5 days ago.  In the process of getting the fish tank cleaned I lost 3 of the fish. Not bad for a beginner! They all seemed to be doing well until the biggest one in the tank started to hang out the bottom and hide under one of the rocks. I believe it's a female by the shape of her anal fin. I feed them twice a day; in the beginning she came up for the food now she doesn't even do that. I wonder if she is pregnant.
These poor fish were abandoned in an apartment and left to die so I took them in. I know absolutely nothing about taking care of fish but, I'm learning quickly.
THANK YOU
BARBARA
<Please take a read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwestcycling.htm 
regarding proper biological filtration... and here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/mollyfaqs.htm 
re Mollies... I suspect your new tank is simply not "cycled", and possibly that the mollies water is not to their suiting... Bob Fenner>

Deceased Dalmatian Molly
Hello! It's me, Walt again. I am really sorry to bother you for the hundredth time. My wife and I woke up this morning to find one of our Dalmatian mollies deceased and stuck to the filter intake. (Actually, we did not notice it right away and then all of a sudden I looked up and saw it on the intake... Don't know what to make of that.)
<Me neither>
As you may remember, I have had my 44 gallon pentagon up and running for about nine weeks now. I started changing five gallons of water weekly two weeks ago, as recommended. I test my water regularly, and since I added Turbostart 700 the first week, my parameters have remained stable: pH 7.8; Ammonia 0; Nitrite 0; Nitrate 20ppm; Hardness 160ppm CaCO3. I tested this morning after finding the dead fish and found the same results. I cannot figure out what happened, as she was fine last night. I have some possibilities...
I started with 16 fish after adding the TurboStart. (2 Diamond tetras, 2 Beacon tetras, 2 platies, 3 pairs of differing mollies, 2 kissers, and 2 red velvet swordtails). During the first six weeks, I lost one kisser due to his aggressive brother, after which I returned the offender. Other than that, I let them be until I was sure the tank was stable. After six weeks I started adding more fish. First, I added the two Dalmatian mollies, two platies, and two Botia darios to help with the occasional snail. I noticed some very aggressive behavior following this change and I returned one of my platies and one of my mollies (both males). The next week I added two Serpae tetras and two female platies. Then last week I added two more female platies and two female swordtails to help prevent further aggression. This brings my current total to 26 small fish. I hope I do not sound ignorant by asking this, but is all this commotion the likely culprit in the death of the my molly?
My tank is 24 inches deep with 480 square inches of surface area. I have a Whisper 30-60 external power filter and I use a four inch air-stone in the back corner for increased aeration. Also, the tank is well planted. I am quite comfortable with my current population, and do not intend on adding any more, but do I have too many fish already?
<You're near there>
Also, I noticed that some of my new fish got their tail fins nipped, I am guessing by my Serpae tetras. I believe, however, that the fin nipping has stopped now that the tetras have grown accustomed to their new mates. Will the fins repair themselves, or, should I quarantine and medicate. I should add that the victims appear very happy and healthy. 
As always, thanks for putting up with my neurotic letters and thank you for all your advice.
Sincerely,
Walt
<I wish we could "go back" and chat re your stocking plan... Know that the mix of fishes you list have quite different water quality desires, limitations... the mollies like some salt in their water... the tetras don't... and they like soft, acidic, warmer water than the platies, swords, mollies... IF all were in initially good health, the system kept stable, optimized there would not likely be problems.... but it being so new... some of them are sure to be "challenged"... even "cranky"... You obviously have a good mind and care a great deal... and all will work out fine... but do take a read on WWM, fishbase.org re specific (as in species) requirements, water chemistry... before any further purchases. Bob Fenner> 

Ammonia in Fry Tank
I have found your website to be very helpful. First I want to say that I am a proud owner of two mollies one a balloon black (female) and the other a orange (male). Two days ago I discovered 17 fry. I was so thrilled! I need help in deciding what to do. So far the adults have left to fry alone. No problems there. I have a 2.5 gallon tank and know that that is not enough room for all of them. I am wondering if I should take the adults out (to another 2.5 tank) and leave the fry to grow a bit bigger in the existing tank. I would like to possibly keep two at the most but want them to get bigger so I can determine the sex. I have spoken to the LFS and they will take a the rest from me. My levels are at ph. 7.8 nitrite .25 nitrate 5.0 and ammonia is at 4.0. temp is 78/80. I am a determined new aquarist. What is the safest thing to do in my situation?
Thanks in advance.
Vanessa I. Tucker
<Water changes, and lots of them. 4.0 ammonia is deadly! And .25 nitrite is .25 too high and it's about to go higher. Check the pH of your tap water. If they are within 2 or 3 tenths then match temp, dechlorinate and change 50% right now. Wait a few hours and do it again. Then daily until ammonia and nitrite are at zero. Your problem is a lack of bio filtration, something that takes time to get established. Do move the adults out. The ammonia is from fish waste. The less fish, the less ammonia will be added to the tank. Read here on establishing FW bio filtration. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwestcycling.htm  
I hate to tell you to limit feeding the fry, food is very important to growing fish. But the more you feed the more waste will be produced. Just feed them twice a day and only enough that it's all eaten within a minute or two. Once the ammonia comes down you can up this to three or four small feedings a day. When you do the water changes use a gravel vac to get any uneaten food and old waste out of the system. You are going to have to continue with almost daily water changes for a month to six weeks. It will take about that long to get cycled. That link contains the most important information a new aquarist needs to have in order to keep their fish alive. And congrats on the births. 17 is a lot for a Molly. BTW they are not as bad as guppies and swordtails when it come to taking their young. As long as they do not get too hungry they generally leave them alone. But since you need to limit feeding, move the adults out. Don> 

Aggressive Molly
Hello! I have a question regarding the behavior of one of my mollies. I have 20 small community fish in a 50 gallon tank, among which are three pairs of differing mollies (black, sunburst, marbled). I just added a beautiful pair of Dalmatian mollies this afternoon to my display tank and I thought they would be fine considering there were no problems with my other mollies. However, one of my male sunburst mollies apparently has taken quite a dislike to both of the newcomers. Is it at least possible that his aggression will subside?
<Yes>
Is it just due to the fact that the Dalmatians are the "new kids on the block"?
<Quite likely so>
Or, should I be afraid for their lives and return them? Any help you could provide is appreciated!
Thanks,
Brody
<Well, this is a good-sized system, doesn't sound overcrowded... If it's easy enough to do, I'd catch out the aggressive fish and let it "float" in a fish net, breeding trap, plastic colander... at the surface for a few days... sometimes this gives the other fish a rest, time to mix in with the new dynamic... Bob Fenner>