Maybe pregnant molly

Question
Hi
Well about 2 weeks ago I bought 2 already pregnant mollys to go in my tank (20gal, now 4 female mollies, 5x-ray tetras and an upside down catfish)Well that same day one of the mollies had her babies and i was so relived that i put her in the breeder. The other one is still very fat and square and has been eating alot but she hasnt had her babies yet. Had 42 babies from 2 females- now only 7 i dont know why they keep dying. So can you please try and explain why she wont have her babies and why all the other babies are dying.

Answer
Hi Angel,
Sorry to hear that.
Its unusual for molly babies to keep dying. Unless they were born too early. Stillborns are common when the mother fish are stressed by environmental factors or water quality.

I'd make sure the ammonia and nitrites are at a safe zero and nitrates are 20 or less. Make sure other fish aren't stressing them. And I would try changing about 20% of the water everyday for at least a week to see if that helps. Nothing helps fish more than clean water. Feed a good quality diet with a high quality good brand of flake food like "Aqueon" I believe its called. And include lots of vegetable-based foods since this really benefits mollies.

Best wishes and I hope things improve!
Karen~