AboutBenty Expertise GOT A QUESTION ABOUT:
Basic needs for specific fish, illnesses, best tankmates, breeding, water chemistry, tricks to safely cut corners, and/or “stupid” questions? Maybe I can help! :)
I like to explain why you do things in aquariums (like why to use spring instead of distilled, or what pH numbers mean, ect.) so you understand why and not just taking someone’s word for it. I also like giving answers where you have two choices so you can choose which is best for the time and money you can commit to your fish. I understand how tight money can be and how expensive fish related things get.
I will NEVER leave you with an “I don’t know.” Ever. I hate that. That would waste your time and that's just mean. :)
Puedo contestar tus preguntas en español también.
Experience I have had tropical fish since 1999. I currently have: a 55gal, ten 10gal, 3 five gallons, three 2gal, and a bunch of jars and bowls. At the time I'm typing this, I have: 14 angels, 13 goldfish, 73 bettas, 12 barbs, 5 catfish, too many guppies, 4 gouramis, 2 plecos, 10 loaches, bunch of swordtails, and probably a few others, lol.
I love to rescue fish. I've had everything from mutant danios, to one eyed goldfish, to my newest adoptee, a 2 year old betta with a MASSIVE tumor problem. He was brought to a pet shop and left there because the lady didn't know what to do with him. He's pretty scary looking. One of the guys at the store there I know let me have him. :D YAY! Elephant Man lives in a gallon bowl with pretty stones in my bathroom.
Plus!!!
I sell: veil, delta, halfmoon, plakat, and crowntail bettas as well as halfblack and blonde tuxedo fancy guppies. Ask me about it sometime.
Question Hey there,
Ok here goes. Last week I went on holidays with my family. My fish were left with a pet carer, when I returned home i thought I saw a glimpse of a baby fish, so the next day I cleaned out the thank. Unfortunately when I lifted up an ornament I found about ten dead baby Mollies. Just as I was about to tip the water out I found two happy healthy babies. So now they are growing in a 5 liter tank. I no thats small but it's only until they grow a big enough to be in the main aquarium, is 5 liters to small for two babies for about 4-5 days??. And also could you please give me a few basic fry care tips, eg. Feeding cleaning. And lastly how long does it take for them to double in size from birth(aprox.) Thanx so much for any help. C ya =)
Answer First congrats on babies! I will say though that mollies as babies are very sensitive. 5 liters is fine for a few babies. Make sure the water stays about 78 to 82F*.
Mollies give birth about once a month so plan on more. Mollies have a life span of between 3 and 5 years and can grow to 5". Though they pretty much never get that big.
You can feed the babies flakes powdered up or buy them powdered flakes. I know Hikari makes a little pouch thing called "First Bites" (it has a zebra angelfish with babies on it) with fine granules for fry. I use it with my guppies. So far so good! Don't let the water get dirty. Fungus and bacteria LOVE babies! Change like... every other day or so. Feed them at least twice a day. Do LITTLE portions for their little bellies.
About those dead babies. Stillborn babies are normal for mollies in aquaria. 10 is a lot for just stillborn though. Test the water to make sure there is not high ammonia. Ammonia and chorine are super potent on babies.
They take about 4 or so months to be big enough to go into the tank with the parents. At six months they can breed most are too young to be doing that.
Good luck with your babies! Also, if you want to stop the overflow of babies... you can separate the males an female adults with a divider or containers or whatever. Females though, can store sperm so watch out. Babies still may come but later. :)
