How to Enquire About and Select Balloon Mollies from Actual Fish
In Vietnam, short-bodied mollies with rounded bellies are commonly called Molly Short; international buyers usually call them Balloon Mollies. This guide helps you describe what you need, review the actual fish and agree the necessary details before payment.
A Line Name Alone Is Not Enough to Place an Order
Fish sold under the same line name may differ in size, sex, colour, pattern and available quantity. VIET MOLLY therefore checks availability when a buyer enquires, nets and films the actual fish, and quotes only after identifying the fish being offered.
Four Points to Review Before You Order
Our farm team checks visible appearance and behaviour before packing and removes unsuitable fish from the lot. Buyers can use the four points below when reviewing an actual-fish video. If additional checks are required, both parties must agree them separately in writing before payment.
Body shape
Balloon mollies are bred short. Look for a body that is round and even on both flanks rather than swollen on one side; the exact body-shape criteria are agreed for each order.
Fins
The fins should appear intact and open, without visible splits or ragged edges. Torn, frayed or clamped fins are a reason to check condition, environment and handling history further; fins alone do not identify the cause.
Colour coverage
Look at how far the colour carries along the body and whether it fades behind the head. The specific colour criteria are agreed for each order.
Visible structural issues
Look at the body, eyes and gill covers for visible structural differences. Images do not establish the cause or whether a trait is inherited; fish that do not meet the agreed criteria must be removed from the lot.
To see what a farm looks for before pairing broodstock, read How Our Farm Selects Molly Broodstock Before Breeding.
Six signs a lot is not ready to ship
These signs can reflect stress, water-quality problems, injury, nutrition, infection or other causes. They do not show, by themselves, that a lot was “not rested long enough”. Hold affected fish back and assess the fish, water and recent handling before making a shipping decision.
Raised scales
Raised scales are a serious, non-specific sign. Hold the fish back, check water and handling records, and seek qualified assessment; a photograph cannot identify the cause.
Raised scales are a serious warning sign, not a diagnosis. Hold the fish back and check water quality before the lot is reassessed.
Clamped fins
Clamped fins can occur with stress, unsuitable water, handling or disease. Hold the fish back and investigate the lot; do not diagnose from this sign alone.
Clamped fins show stress or poor condition, but the cause must be checked from the fish and its environment.
Gasping at the surface
Surface gasping can be linked to low dissolved oxygen, gill irritation, temperature or other water-quality and health problems. Check conditions promptly and hold affected fish.
Repeated surface gasping requires prompt checks of oxygenation, surface movement and water quality.
White film or white fin edges
A body haze or pale fin edge may reflect excess mucus, injury, irritation or infection. Hold the fish back and assess it; appearance alone does not identify the cause.
A body haze or pale fin edge can have several causes and cannot be diagnosed from a photograph alone.
Sunken belly
Loss of body condition can have nutritional, environmental, parasitic or other causes. Do not ship an affected fish until it has been assessed.
A sunken belly indicates poor body condition; the appearance alone does not identify the cause.
No reaction
Low activity or a weak response can reflect stress, temperature, water quality, transport history or disease. Compare it with normal behaviour and hold the fish for assessment.
Low response or prolonged bottom-sitting is a reason to hold and assess the fish, not a diagnosis by itself.
Each sign has several possible causes and cannot be diagnosed from a photograph alone. Record what you observe, test the water and review recent handling before deciding whether the lot is fit to ship.
What Should a Clear Quote Include?
A line name alone is not enough for a price comparison. The quote must be tied to the actual fish, the time availability was checked and the terms of the specific order.
Line, Body Shape and Colour
State the line name and the main visible characteristics of the fish. Distinguish representative line images from video of the actual fish being offered.
Size, Sex and Quantity
State the size, sex where identified, and quantity available at the time of the reply.
Per-Fish Price and Quote Validity
The price is tied to the fish offered, the quantity requested and the terms of the order. Availability and pricing may be different the next time the buyer enquires.
Before payment, save the video of the actual fish, the SKU description, per-fish price, quantity, shipping arrangement and the reporting window confirmed for the order. On arrival, start one continuous video before opening the box and keep every bag sealed while recording the box, seals, bags and the number of affected fish.
What to Agree Before Shipping
Fish Condition Before Packing
Before packing, our farm team checks visible appearance and behaviour and removes unsuitable fish from the lot. If the buyer requests additional checks or a specific holding period, the scope must be confirmed in writing for that order; do not assume every lot follows the same SOP.
Shipping Method and Packing Specification
The arrangement depends on the destination country, the buyer's preference and the terms of the order. If the buyer does not have an arrangement, VIET MOLLY can suggest an option for private discussion. The packing specification, handover schedule, arrival evidence requirements and resolution process must be agreed before payment.
For a delivered shipment, use the instructions confirmed for that order and the general checks in the Arrival Guide.
Questions to ask a supplier before you order
These six take a minute to ask and will tell you more than a gallery of photographs.
Is this line currently available?
Can I see a video of the actual fish being offered?
Which size, sex and quantity does the per-fish price cover?
How will the shipping method and packing specification be agreed?
How will losses during shipment be handled?
Will the same fish and price be available next time I enquire?
Lines in the VIET MOLLY catalogue
Request a quote
Tell us what you need. We will check the current fish and reply on the channel you choose.
Ask About the Fish Line You Need
Send the line, size, sex, quantity and destination country. Our farm team will check the fish available, net and film the actual fish, then quote per fish.
Ask About a Fish LineSources
- UF/IFAS Extension — Fish Health Management in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems. edis.ifas.ufl.edu
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Environmental Diseases of Aquatic Animals. merckvetmanual.com
