Mollies are aquarium fish of the Peciliaceae family. In the wild, various types of mollies live in the waters of Mexico, Colombia, America, Mexico. Male and female mollies are distinguished by the shape of the anal fin. Females have a rounder body shape and are viviparous, i.e. do not spawn, but give birth to live fry.
Instructions
Step 1
Males differ from females in the shape, size and structure of their fins.
Step 2
Males are usually smaller than females and reach only 8 cm in length, while females are up to 12 cm.
Step 3
Males have a more elongated body, in contrast to the rounded body of females.
Step 4
Male mollies are distinguished by the presence of a tubular anal fin - gonopodia. This fin is a reproductive organ and is located under the belly of the fish.
Step 5
It is believed that mollies are quite capricious in content. They require significant aquarium volumes (at least 6 liters for a couple of adults), clean, transparent, oxygen-rich water with a weekly change.
Step 6
For breeding to be possible, it is necessary to provide many open areas in the aquarium, as well as many thickets, driftwood for shelter. In addition, mollies are thermophilic (water temperature 25-30 ° C). It is necessary to add sea or table salt to fresh water (2-3 g per liter).
Step 7
The mollies tank should be well lit most of the time of the day. You also need natural sunlight.
Step 8
Mollies eat everything, their food can be live, vegetable or dry. Various herbal supplements are required. These fish live up to 5 years, so they are advised to breed even the most inexperienced aquarists.
Step 9
Mollies females are viviparous, i.e. do not spawn, but give birth to live fry.
Sexual maturity occurs at 1 year. Females and males can be kept in the same tank until the female becomes pregnant.
Step 10
Then it is necessary to remove the male from the aquarium so that he does not irritate the female. After 35-45 days, the female will be able to bring the first offspring. For the first time, a female can give birth to up to 30 fry. Childbirth can take several hours.
Step 11
After the fry are born, some females look round because they contain fertilized eggs in the womb, which then develop into new fry. So, in a month she will again be able to give birth to another batch of small mollies. The female can give birth 5-6 times. Then she should be planted again with the male.
