Topic: I’m pretty sure my Molly is in labor. Dilated butt, squared off belly, heavy breathing, increased attention from the male fish in the tank…. We’re new to the hobby and haven’t ever been through this. I put her in a breeder box, but I’m worried it may be too early? Any advice?

*Awarded Answer
Posted by Pete K: Try to stay calm during changes in your tank like this. It’s hard not to take drastic actions because we feel we have to but just stay calm and research. Lets answer your question now.

Female Molly Fish in Labor?

Molly fish don’t really show signs of labor other then they’re bellies square off. If your breeder box is divided, she will have them and they’ll likely fall under that divide part. If it’s not, watch her because she will eat them. They get aggressive towards the males when they’re ready. I’ve just separated my 4 females because they’re getting aggressive towards the males. It almost does look like they poop em out. If they’re lighter in color you’ll be able to see the gravid spot.

Definitely go watch videos on YouTube. I thought it was the coolest thing every to watch. And they are live bearers, so babies will come out swimming. heres my first batch.

Just make sure if she does start delivering babies and she’s done separate her and the babies.

Dialated butt? I’m pretty sure they don’t get pooped out.

There’s no place on a fish that is a butt. The personification of anatomy is common when you don’t know the correct vernacular. What exactly is the opening on a Molly that they give birth called?

Its called a vent, where both waste openings and the genital opening are at.

When is a Molly NOT pregnant and or giving birth. Even Rabbits can’t keep up with them.

Okay so I have Molly’s and plattys in my tank. I have seen the Molly’s mating and I found one tiny little baby but haven’t seen any others. I got floating fish hatchery/holder. I was wondering if I should just put my females in there now and wait it out?

Don’t put mama in until close to the end. You’ll know when they get big and square looking. If you put her in too soon, it may cause stress and cause her to hold the babies in.

If your tank is heavy planted, let them be, momma and daddy eat the fry. The babies will find plant to hid in and stay there until bigger. That’s what mine does.

Only the strong survive in my tank. But if your tank is not planted real heavy, I would do what the other lady said, wait til she is about to give birth, put in the floating net and once she has them take her out.

I had some Molly’s give birth two weeks ago, found one in the open floating over a black swirl (no one bothered it because of its great camouflaging)

Two in the filter 😢 (both alive)

And four under a castle no fish could get in unless if you were that tiny!!

I wasn’t expecting them but I moved them with the mom

Both parents went crazy because they weren’t near eachother

If you want to keep all the fry set up another tank and put the female in there when she is close to giving birth. But I would just leave her alone, a few may make it.

My orange molly had 19 fry and I have 16 left so far. They’re now in the tank with the adults. I never put mom in the breeder box. Just the babies when I saw them.