Jim
February 9th 05, 04:51 PM
I've got a batch of mollies that are the offspring of a large standard
female black molly and a balloon male black molly. (The balloons seem
to me to be a fairly new, and odd, variation. I think they showed up
during the 30 years when I was out of the hobby?) There are also some
2nd gen offspring out of the first batch.
This group has had mixed characteristics, which I guess is to be
expected. Some balloon body shapes, some more standard; some black,
some dalmation; some lyretails & sailfins in the mix.
They also seem to have shorter lifespans & more problems than other the
other livebearers I'm raising (orange swords & various guppies).
Several have died at various times earlier than I would have expected
without obvious cause. Today I found one with serious swim bladder
problems that I don't expect to last long.
One in particular is a favorite, but seems to have developed such
serious problems I'm wondering if he should be euthanized. Originally
a great looking male, larger than most in the batch, w/ large sail fin,
but never a great swimmer. He was nonetheless a very active & dramatic
courter, with entertaining (if clumsy) behavior, displaying to fend off
other males and attract females. Now he's maybe a year old.
However, as he matured, his belly became more balloonish, and he became
more awkward & sluggish. About 3 months ago, it looked as if he had
many "bubbles" on his swollen abdomen. On close inspection, I thought
perhaps the scales were standing out as in dropsy.
I moved him to an isolation tank, expecting to lose him soon. After a
week w/ no change, I treated w/ an anti-bacterial series of treatments.
No change. Another series of treatments. No change. Juvenile
guppies in the tank with him aren't showing any problems.
He still had the bubbles / extended scales, and tends to lie on the
bottom of the tank, or on the bottom of a small hollow log ornament
(seems to have negative buoyancy). He feeds vigorously, but otherwise
just lies around.
Was this standard molly / balloon molly a bad cross?
Are balloons genetically weak?
Any idea what's wrong with this guy?
Should I euthanize him?
Any guidance appreciated, TIA! - Jim
female black molly and a balloon male black molly. (The balloons seem
to me to be a fairly new, and odd, variation. I think they showed up
during the 30 years when I was out of the hobby?) There are also some
2nd gen offspring out of the first batch.
This group has had mixed characteristics, which I guess is to be
expected. Some balloon body shapes, some more standard; some black,
some dalmation; some lyretails & sailfins in the mix.
They also seem to have shorter lifespans & more problems than other the
other livebearers I'm raising (orange swords & various guppies).
Several have died at various times earlier than I would have expected
without obvious cause. Today I found one with serious swim bladder
problems that I don't expect to last long.
One in particular is a favorite, but seems to have developed such
serious problems I'm wondering if he should be euthanized. Originally
a great looking male, larger than most in the batch, w/ large sail fin,
but never a great swimmer. He was nonetheless a very active & dramatic
courter, with entertaining (if clumsy) behavior, displaying to fend off
other males and attract females. Now he's maybe a year old.
However, as he matured, his belly became more balloonish, and he became
more awkward & sluggish. About 3 months ago, it looked as if he had
many "bubbles" on his swollen abdomen. On close inspection, I thought
perhaps the scales were standing out as in dropsy.
I moved him to an isolation tank, expecting to lose him soon. After a
week w/ no change, I treated w/ an anti-bacterial series of treatments.
No change. Another series of treatments. No change. Juvenile
guppies in the tank with him aren't showing any problems.
He still had the bubbles / extended scales, and tends to lie on the
bottom of the tank, or on the bottom of a small hollow log ornament
(seems to have negative buoyancy). He feeds vigorously, but otherwise
just lies around.
Was this standard molly / balloon molly a bad cross?
Are balloons genetically weak?
Any idea what's wrong with this guy?
Should I euthanize him?
Any guidance appreciated, TIA! - Jim