Black mollies - care and maintenance in an aquarium

Molliesia is in demand among aquarists with experience and those who rather recently began to try themselves in this field. Beautiful black fish look favorably in the aquarium, among other colored inhabitants. America is considered the birthplace of the represented family, it was there that the fish was bred in 1924. If you do not know what the content of these aquarium pets includes, we will help you with everything.

Buying fish

Before considering the main aspects, it is necessary to say a few words about the acquisition of this species of fish. Previously, only guppies were considered the ideal breeding family. But over time, everything changed, the fish of the viviparous type began to grow in Asian countries.

Depending on where it is planned to deliver the fish, their breeding and cultivation is carried out according to a certain standard.Often, antibiotics, as well as hormones and other substances, are directly involved in this. Price policy and immunity of individuals depends on cultivation. Rapid extinction is offset by low cost.

If you are planning to purchase mollies, then give preference to European breeders or make a purchase according to the recommendations. Pet shops are not supplied (or supplied, but difficult to find) fish that are grown in wild conditions. Therefore, all that you see in such aquariums is artificially derived mollies.

Content

1. Fishes of this family love warm water, therefore it is necessary to create all conditions for their comfortable existence. Mollies do not tolerate temperature fluctuations, try to maintain indicators at around 26 degrees. Also install an internal or external filter.
2. Water in the tank should always be fresh and clean. To achieve this, 1/3 of the liquid from the total volume is drained weekly, a new one is poured. So you can maintain an optimal biological balance of the aquatic environment, avoiding the accumulation of nitrogenous substances in it.During the replacement process, carefully observe that the water is at the same temperature as in the aquarium.
3. Fish by their natural features rarely descend to the lowlands. They prefer to live in the middle or upper parts of the water space. For this reason, control the duration of daylight (12 hours maximum). It is important that there are plants, stones and snags in the aquarium. This will provide shelter fish.
4. Molliesia gets on well with their relatives. It is advisable to arrange an aquarium in such a way that females predominate in the flock. Fish will quickly make friends with the neighbors of other families, the main thing is to choose cohabitants in size.
5. Inside a kind of mollies friendly, skirmishes are extremely rare. To the water dwelling looked profitable, start the fish of this species in flocks. But the aquarium should not be close, because the males will fight. One individual is given 10 liters. water.

Feeding

1. Fish eat almost everything, but their diet should include a lot of food of plant origin. It is important to feed representatives of the aquatic environment so that they have enough vitamins and minerals.This will help balanced feed created for mollies.
2. This species of fish is not indifferent to food, so do not be surprised if the fish will eat everything and ask for more. But do not overfeed it, so as not to develop obesity and problems with digestive activity.
3. The menu for your pets should be made so that it includes frozen, dry and live food. The ratio of dry / frozen or live food should be 2 to 1. The main thing is that plant elements and protein compounds are present in the composition.
4. Do not discount the products that fish like. For example, while mollies are being mastered in an aquarium, take 3 foods. Alternately give them to the fish and watch what they like more. In the future, preference is given to the selected option.

Sex differences and reproduction

1. Mollies are quite easily distinguished by gender. With this you will have no problems, so you should not worry. Keep in mind that males are well distinguished by gonopodia, which form the anal fins.
2. If you provide the fish with the most comfortable conditions for keeping, the female will be able to bring offspring monthly. It is with the help of gonopathy that the male transfers seminal fluid to the female.Also, a couple tied to each other with a hook.
3. Because of this, the male keeps the female better during fertilization. Thus, the chances of breeding further offspring are significantly increased. Individuals reach sexual maturity at the age of one. Females become mature even earlier.
4. An interesting fact is that pregnancy in fish lasts for one and a half months. To determine this is quite simple. During pregnancy, a dark spot can be seen in the females from the bottom of the abdomen. Also abdomen markedly increases in size.
5. Over time, the female begins to look for a secluded and safe place in all parts of the aquarium. In this case, the fish is strongly recommended to be deposited in a separate aquarium. It is important to observe such indicators of water, which were in the total capacity.
6. Often, spawning of the maollinese occurs early in the morning. Large representatives of the species may have up to 100 fry at a time. The number of young stock will directly depend on the size of the female and her age. It is worth noting that the fry are born on a fairly large size.
7. Youngsters are in no hurry to immediately rise from the bottom to the top of the aquarium. They will lie at the bottom in the leaves of the plants. Keep in mind, fry are particularly sensitive to water. Therefore, it should always be as clean as possible.
8. Try to change the water as often as possible. In order to strengthen the immune system in the growing up individuals, it is recommended to slightly salt the liquid. In order for the fry to grow quickly, they should be fed with a varied and balanced feed.

Breeding characteristics

1. Once the female is successfully fertilized, it can be easily distinguished from the male. An individual that bears fry has visual differences from the male. The fertilized female has a dark spot on the abdomen near the anus. Also, the stomach will be quite large.
2. After a long pregnancy, fry will begin to appear in large numbers (about a hundred). The largest individuals are able to bring up to 250 fry at a time. The undoubted advantage is that mollies do not need a special spawning machine.
3. It is worth noting that mollies do not belong to those fish specieswho prey on their own offspring. It can be noted that after giving birth the female may remain fat for some time. This can be explained by the fact that the individual does not give birth to all fry.

Mollies extraordinarily beautiful aquarium fish. They are quite peaceful and not whimsical in care. It is enough for such individuals to provide comfortable conditions for living and high-quality, balanced food. Fish is recommended for beginners.

Video: aquarium fish mollies black