Balloon mollies: friend or foe??

[ScreaminGreen]

Me and my boyfriend are setting up a livebearer breeder tank, so that we have some fishies to feed the puffers & mantis shrimp.

We agreed on guppies, but are fighting on whether to also get normal mollies or balloon mollies. Is one easier to breed than the other?? I'm fighting to get the balloons because they are so cute and fat ^_^!!!

 

[Temerity]

(I'm the boyfriend in question representing the other side of the argument. Note: I've had this acct for a couple weeks, didn't just make it to reply)

Other than balloon mollies being aesthetically unpleasing to me, from queries on other forums it seems like it's difficult to tell when they are pregnant and about to give birth, since they always have a bloated look and visible gravid spot (information attained from semi-reliable sources, so please correct me if I'm wrong). Also seems like they have a higher rate of death directly after birth than normal mollies - perhaps due to all the inbreeding necessary to achieve the "balloon" look.

That being said, looking forward to seeing some replies by people more knowledgeable than myself.


Oh, also, viable option to mix balloons with normal mollies in the same tank? Like, one male balloon and a couple female dalmations or something? Thanks all!

 

[srikamaraja]

I believe balloon mollies to be a man-made mistake, with limited mobility and a reduced quality of life.

If you keep both, the regular mollies will eat all of the food before the balloons have a chance to get to it, just like keeping 'regular' goldfish with 'fancy' varieties.

These fish remind me too much of parrotfish to be worth keeping.

 

[NUMB3RS]

Please dont disregaurd the poor balloon molly! Balloon Mollies are GREAT! I bought 2 just yesterday and my female is pregnant! here are the pictures, the Male is the white one and the female is the orange one with the bloated look. Compare the bellies, there is quite a difference, sorry dude

 

[ScreaminGreen]

yay thanks for backin me up : )

 

[Lupin]

And balloon morphs usually are more prone to swim bladder issues.

 

[syddakyd]

if its food who cares. their small size means smaller tanks

 

[Knowdafish]

They make great feeders!

 

[NUMB3RS]

tell us what you chose!

 

[ScreaminGreen]

i told my boyfriend we can just get the normal ones.

i want him to be happy, and it doesn't mean i can't get some later on.

a little sad because the balloon mollies are absolutely adorable, but i'll survive.