Table of Contents
Why are balloon mollies bad?
‘Balloon’ Fish Most commonly seen in Mollies, Guppies and Cichlids, ‘Balloon’ forms are not a morph like a high-fin or veil-tail. These fish have a genetic deformity that curves the spine and compacts the internal organs, resulting in fish that may suffer their entire lives.
How big do balloon mollies get?
Balloon Mollies grow to about three inches in length. Their bellies are round and swollen; hence their common names, Balloon or Belly Mollies, and their back is arched.
How long do balloon mollies live?
The balloon molly fish has a life expectancy similar to those of other types of mollies kept in captivity: three to five years. This life span is based on ideal conditions, such as brackish water or saltwater rather than freshwater, which can make a balloon molly fish susceptible to disease and illness.
Do balloon mollies eat their babies?
It is because the mollies are very nippy and tend to become very aggressive eater. They will eat almost anything that fits in their mouth. The new born babies are very small just about the size of a pellet food which is why molly are seen eating their own babies after giving birth.
How can you tell the gender of a balloon molly?
The easiest way to tell a male molly from a female is by looking at the anal fin. If you start at the back of the fish and move forward, the anal fin is the first fin on the bottom of the fish. In the case of balloon mollies with their rounded bodies, this fin points the same direction as the caudal or tail fin.
Can molly live alone?
Yes, a single Molly Fish can live alone as long as she has all that she needs: clean water, good food, and enough space to swim and play in. Please don’t forget though, that she will be happier with tank mates—whether fellow Mollies or other compatible fish.
Do balloon mollies go to school?
Mollies are active and social so they enjoy schooling together. A shoal should be predominantly female since males are known to harass and stress females. It’s easy to spot personalities in an active fish like these. Watching them for a while will quickly get you attached as you notice their individual differences.
Are balloon mollies healthy?
The balloon molly fish has a life expectancy similar to those of other types of mollies kept in captivity: three to five years. This life span is based on ideal conditions, such as brackish water or saltwater rather than freshwater, which can make a balloon molly fish susceptible to disease and illness.
Are balloon mollies easy to breed?
For the most part, mollies are very easy to breed. A single female can produce over one hundred baby mollies, also called fry, in one live birth. They also come in a variety of colors, and work well with a wide community of other fish. Prepare your tank and yourself beforehand, and breeding mollies should be a breeze.
Do balloon mollies need salt?
Yes, salt can help fish in poor health. Not just mollies. It is an old, cheap, non-toxic fishroom remedy that should be used more often by more hobbyists—but it is definitely not required for fancy mollies.
Do balloon mollies need air pump?
Proper aeration creates tiny bubbles to oxygenate water, providing the healthful environment mollies need to thrive. Naturally occurring bubbles from filtration are not enough, so an air pump or air stone is necessary. Pump-generated bubbles aerate your aquarium, providing your mollies with breathable oxygen.
How long do mollies stay pregnant?
As I’ve mentioned above, mollies are usually pregnant for a period anywhere from 20 to 40 days (average 30 days). Of course, that would be how long they’ll last from conception to birth. But before this period, there is usually a courtship period between the male and female molly, which can last another couple of days.
Can balloon mollies live with bettas?
If you plan on having mollies in your tank you should remember that they can grow up to an inch bigger than your betta. They need to live with other mollies or they will become stressed. So a 20 gallon tank is the best option to give your betta and mollies plenty of room.
Does molly eat their fries?
In a breeding net, the fry are exposed to the same water conditions the rest of the tank is experiencing. Cannibalism is normal with mollies and other livebearers like guppies and platys. As fecund as they are, you don’t really need to worry about saving every last one.
How many mollies should be kept together?
Mollies tend to stick together most of the time, which is why you should keep them in groups of 4 or more. If you are planning to keep more than 4 mollies, make sure you get a 20-gallon tank at least. A 45- gallon tank should be a perfect choice if you plan to manage multiple shoals of mollies.
Are black mollies aggressive?
Black Mollies are generally a peaceful community fish, but multiple males kept in the same tank can become aggressive, and females which are outnumbered by males will tend to be harassed. It is often thought that Black Mollies are best served in Brackish waters, but that’s not the case at all.
Is Molly a school fish?
Mollies are live bearing fish, meaning they do not lay eggs but give birth to live young. These fish are social and like to be kept in schools.
Can mollies mate with other fish?
Albeit there being several varieties of molly fish, they all can be mated because regardless of the color or fin configuration, they are the same species, and any male will readily fertilize with all females. So, put simply, different colors and shapes of mollies are still the same fish and will readily breed.
What kind of fish is a Molly?
Poecilia sphenops is a species of fish, of the genus Poecilia, known under the common name molly; to distinguish it from its congeners, it is sometimes called short-finned molly or common molly.Poecilia sphenops. Molly Genus: Poecilia Species: P. sphenops Binomial name Poecilia sphenops (Valenciennes, 1846).
Do balloon mollies eat shrimp?
yes. Mollies will eat most anything. Most anything will eat CRS, or any shrimp small enough for them to tear apart.
