how to tell sex and if pregnant in mollies

Question
hii have 4 mollies 2 dalamation ones 1 orange one and 1 orange and black one. and i would like to know how to tell if male or female and how to know if pregnant cos i have found some baby fish in my tank.and how can i catch the babys to put in a breeding tank.

Answer
Hi Sammy
You're question just popped up in our answer pool, so sorry for the delay in answering.

With livebearer fish like mollies, look at the bottom fin, just before their tail, on their bellies.  If it's a triangle shape then it's a female.  If there's a long tube shape(called a gonopodium) then it's a male.  Sometimes you have to sit and watch for a few minutes, when they're swimming, sometimes the females fins will go back and look like a males.  Usually it's best to notice when they're still, and then compare it to the others.  You'll notice it when you see it.  

Usually you'll know when they're pregnant, 1.  make sure it's a female, and 2. they'll start looking a bit bigger in the belly area.  I believe it takes about 28 days, give or take a few, for the babies to be born.  And, livebearers can also store the sperm inside them, and use that for up to I believe 6 months to have babies.  So, even if there's no male in the tank, a female can have babies for about 6 months, once a month....lots of fish!!

When I noticed babies/fry in the tank, I would just net the ones I could find and put them in the breeder net.  It's hard, and they hide real good!

Hope that helps, and good luck!!

Christy