How to Breed Guppies & Mollies

You're admiring your freshwater aquarium when you notice something small moving. You look closer; it's a tiny fish! Your guppies or mollies must have had babies! Guppies and mollies are livebearers, and as that name implies, they give birth to live baby fish (called fry). You can set up an aquarium for "accidental" birth, or you can create a setup to breed your guppies and mollies. The breeding process is the same for both types of fish.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquariums
  • Fish food (flake food, microworms, baby brine shrimp)
  • Aquarium nets
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Instructions

    • 1

      Obtain one male and three or more females. Males are smaller and usually more colorful than females and have a modified anal fin called a gonopodium. The multiple females will give each other a reprieve from being chased by the male for breeding.

    • 2

      Place your fish in a 10- to 20-gallon aquarium. Maintain a temperature in the mid- to high 70s Fahrenheit. Change the water weekly. It can take a month or longer for nature to run its course and for fry to appear in the tank.

    • 3

      Remove the grown males and females, as they will eat their young if allowed. Place them in a separate tank. You can also place them in different male-only and female-only aquariums so they can't breed again.

    • 4

      Feed the fry daily. Offer finely crushed fish flakes, microworms or newly hatched brine shrimp. Change the aquarium's water at least twice a week. Provide some floating plants for shelter.