Dalmation Molly breeding

Question
New to this aquarium thing, I bought a pair of dalmation mollies (male and female). 2 days after bringing them home, 5 little ones appeared, then to my heartache, disappeared. I have a QT 10 gallon, mollies are in 29 gallon w/ 5 black fin tetras, 2 red wagtail platies, and a clown loach. I figured out that my babies became snackies, and want to be prepared for next time. My question is how often can dalmollies breed, and how long after she has given birth? How long is her Gestation? I am curious about the molly "bom-chicka-wow-wow". Thanks!

Answer
Hi Kristy;

**chuckle**

Molly "bom-chicka-wow-wow" is pretty simple. The males pursue the females all the time so babies are born every 30 to 45 days or so. Keep the adult tank very clean with weekly 25% water changes and gravel vacuuming so their immune systems stay strong. Give them a good varied diet that includes greens such as peeled cooked peas, romaine lettuce, spinach, cucumber slices, etc. The other fish will love them too. You can leave them in the tank for a day or two because they don't pllute the tank like regular food does.

In another 3 weeks or so you could move the female fish over to the baby tank. It is best not to wait until she is ready to actually deliver. It is pretty stressful and she could deliver babies early and they could die. The babies are usually born early in the morning. Put lots of live plants in the baby tank so the new babies can hide from her as she recovers for a few hours. The babies will also feed on the organisms growing on the live plants. Feed the babies crushed up flake food with a tiny bit of the veggies I mentioned above.

Have fun! Sounds like your mollies are! Lol!

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins