How Do I Condition My Mollies to Breed?

Mollies are possibly the easiest and most enjoyable freshwater aquarium fish for the amateur breeder. They're hardy, beautiful and beginner-friendly. To guarantee that the adult mollies you intend to breed produce the healthiest, most attractive babies possible you'll need to condition them properly prior to breeding time. Proper conditioning involves providing the absolute highest quality care for your breeder mollies. This includes monitoring the water quality and temperature, providing habitat appropriate for breeders and stepping up their dietary nutrition.

Things You'll Need

  • Filtered aquarium, at least 15-gallon capacity
  • Aquarium heater
  • Aquarium salt
  • Live plants such as Java moss and hornwort
  • Small clay flower pots
  • Vegetable flake food
  • Bloodworms
  • Algae pellets
  • Microworms
  • Fresh blanched vegetables (optional)
  • Brine shrimp
  • Tubiflex worms
  • Breeder net (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide your breeder mollies a clean, adequately filtered aquarium with at least 15-gallon capacity. A larger tank is even more desirable.

    • 2

      Add aquarium salt to the water. You'll need 1 tbsp. for every 5 gallons of water. Do not use everyday table salt.

    • 3

      Set the aquarium heater between 78 and 82 degrees F, with 80 degrees being optimum.

    • 4

      Add live plants such as Java moss and hornwort to your breeder aquarium. Place a small clay flower pot on its side in each corner. These will provide hiding places for the female molly when she needs a break from the male. They're also excellent refuges for babies, should your expectant mother give birth without your knowledge.

    • 5

      Feed conditioning foods in addition to the regular daily vegetable flake food diets of your breeder mollies. A good variety includes bloodworms, algae pellets, microworms, fresh blanched vegetables, brine shrimp and tubiflex worms.

    • 6

      Change 20 percent of the aquarium water every day. Add the appropriate amount of aquarium salt to the new water.

    • 7

      Remove all males from the female's tank, with the exception of the one you've chosen for breeding. The males will all hound her mercilessly otherwise.

    • 8

      Add a breeder net to the aquarium. Put the female breeder in the net by herself when she is close to giving birth. If you don't use a breeder net, move all the other fish from her tank or put her in one of her own. Other adult fish relish new baby mollies.