Molly fish grows in specific stages, and understanding these stages allow you to monitor the growth of your Molly fish. Many people purchases Molly fish when the fish are still fry. When the Molly fish reach their adult stage, they tend to be much larger then when they were purchased.
If you do not track the growth of your Molly fish, you may find yourself feeding them the incorrect amount of food or providing them with an incorrect amount of tank space. A growth reference allows you to monitor the growth of your Molly fish to ensure that they are growing at a normal rate. Molly fish grow in various phase, but not all phases is the same.
Molly Fish Growth Stages and Care
During the first few weeks of a Molly fish’s life, they grow rapid in length and begin to learn how to swim. After the first few weeks, they grow at a slower rate but begin to show their adult color patterns. Molly fish in the sub-adult phase are nearing the point of be able to breed.
During this phase, they continue to gain body mass and develops their fins. Finally, at the adult phase, the Molly fish have reached their full body size. Some fish will reach their full size sooner than other.
Male and female Molly fish differ in size. Female Molly fish are larger than male Molly fish. The difference in size between female and male Molly fish can be as great as an inch.
Molly fish tanks must be large enough to provide space for the larger female Molly fish. Male Molly fish are more streamlined than there female counterparts. Additionally, male Molly fish come in more bright colors than female Molly fish.
However, female Molly fish have more girth because they are responsible for carrying there young. Assuming all Molly fish reach the same size is a mistake that people can make when caring for Molly fish populations in tanks. Not all varieties of Molly fish exhibit the same growth patterns.
Sailfin Molly fish take longer to reach their maximum size but end up growing to a larger size than common Molly fish. Balloon Molly fish are bred to remain small so they is suitable for smaller tanks. However, balloon Molly fish will never grow to the same size as sailfin Molly fish.
Using a growth chart allows people to compare the growth stages of different Molly fish varieties. This chart can help people determine which Molly fish will be suitable for a given aquarium. Feed fry Molly fish tiny food particle continuously because fry have a developing digestive system and burn energy very quickly.
Molly fish juveniles requires feeding with larger meals more frequently. Sub-adult Molly fish grow best on plant based foods as they require body depth to reach their adult stage. Molly fish feeding patterns begin with small food portions given frequent and change to higher quality foods as they mature.
Molly fish require water that is slightly alkaline and moderately hard with water temperatures between the upper seventies. Molly fish require regular water changes to keep their nitrate level low. High nitrate levels can slow the growth of Molly fish.
Additionally, adding a small amount of aquarium salt to the water enhance the immune system of the Molly fish and reduces stress factors for the Molly fish. Incorrect water conditions for Molly fish result in Molly fish eating but not gain the body mass required. Molly fish will use up all the energy they possess to survive the conditions in their tank instead of gaining the energy to grow.
Monitoring Molly fish for specific signs indicate whether or not the growth of the Molly fish is occurring normal. Erect fins, bright colors, and swimming activities indicates the Molly fish are growing and gaining the necessary body mass. A rounded belly indicate Molly fish have the proper nutrition.
However, the belly should not be bloated. By monitoring Molly fish for the above characteristics, people will know whether the growth of the Molly fish is occurring normal. By tracking the growth of Molly fish, people have the ability to make specific adjustments to the care routine for Molly fish.
For example, if the Molly fish are growing normally, people will not have to worry about feeding them too much food or providing them with too much space in the aquarium. However, if the Molly fish are not growing correctly, people has the ability to adjust the feeding routine, the space allowance in the tanks, or improve water quality within the aquarium. By using the information presented in the growth stages of Molly fish, people will have the knowledge of how to best raise Molly fish.
