Molly behavior

Question
I have a 55 gal freshwater tank which has been set up for 4 months now... in it are two male powder blue gourami's, two dalmation mollies, one female, one male, 3 neons, one silver shark, and one plecostomus.  The PH level in my tank stays around 68 - 72, no ammonia right now, and we have not tested for nitrates.
My question is about my two mollies... they get along great, and pretty much stay together all the time, but for the last two days, the male is constantly chasing the female seeming to "sniff" her behind side, she is constantly swimming from him rapidly, and he keeps up with her... but you can tell she's irritated. Could she be pregnant? Should I separate her from him? I have looked for the black spot, and it is very hard to tell because her dalmation spots make her very black in some areas. She is, however, seeming to swell around the belly.

Thank You,
Kathy


Answer
Hi Kathy;

Sounds like they are both becoming seually mature now. They may have been very young when you first got them. Your little male is just doing what little male mollies like to do best....breed. The problem is there is only one female to give his attention to. It will stress her out and she could die. You should have two or more females per male so that his "amorous attention" is distributed and they can rest from time to time. Get 2 or 3 more female mollies (of any color variety, they don't care) and it will help. Put lots of plants and other hiding places for the females to get away to also.

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins