About Christy Expertise I can answer some questions regarding freshwater fish ranging from their care to diagnosing common diseases or problems with the fish. I can also answer questions regarding the care and maintenance of an aquarium. I haven't had much luck with live plants, so can't help in that area very much. Not real good with explaining salt water or brackish set ups too well either. Also regarding goldfish, I have some comets, and have a little experience with them but mostly just general info on them. I AM NOT THAT FAMILIAR WITH ANY OF THE FANCY VARIETIES OF GOLDFISH. YOU MIGHT BE BETTER DIRECTING THOSE QUERIES TO AN EXPERT MORE FAMILIAR WITH THEM. If I can't answer or don't know something, I'll let you know, so don't be upset if I reject your question, I'll always explain why. I would just rather not answer then give an answer I'm not confident about.
Experience All personal, first hand, general fishkeeping experience. I've had fresh water aquariums now for about 7 years. I've had tropical/community fish tanks, African cichlids, South American cichlids, brackish water puffer fish, and a lot of other varieties in between.
Education/Credentials None, all personal experience
Question I HAVE ONE BALLOON MOLLIE AND IT IS FAT I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS A GIRL OR A MALE BUT WHAT I WANT TO KNOW CAN THE MALE BALLOON MOLLIES GET FAT I HAVE HAD IT FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS
Answer Hi Cristy
Here's a few links to look at:
Picture of a male ballon molly, notice on the bottom belly area, there's a "tube" shaped fin pointing towards the tail? That's a gonopodium, all male livebearer fish have this:
This is a platy, but it's the same thing for all livebearers, notice that same area, she has a triangle shaped fin instead of tube shaped thing, that's how to tell a female:
So, if the fish is getting big/fat in the belly area, and it's a female, it's most likely full of fry/babies. Gestation period is about 28 days, give or take.
If it's a male, or even if it is a female, it could also be constipation. Treatment for that is to feed the inside of a pea for a few days and see if that helps. Another possibility, is a condition called dropsy. Basically what it is, the fish's kidneys shut down, and the fish starts retaining fluids. Usually it's caused by poor water quality. The end stages of it, the fish's scales will stick out similar to a pinecone appearance. At that point, it's pretty much fatal, and the fish passes within a few days.
