Poecilia sphenops
Black Molly, Lyretail, Sailfin, Liberty, Mollie, Pointed Mouth, Short Finned, Mexican, Golden, Piebald, Ghost Pearl, Gold Dust, Red Sunset, Dalmation, Ballon, etc.
Omnivores
4 inches
5 years
Mid-dweller
Live-bearer
Molly fish are some of the coolest aquarium fish on the planet. You don’t need a huge aquarium to keep Mollies either. The molly is a very attractive tropical fish that comes in many different colors such as orange, green and black. Some of the more popular varieties.
Molly fish have always been a favourite among aquarists and are a staple of freshwater fishkeeping. These fish are well-known for their low-maintenance requirements.
Marble Lyretail Molly
Harlequin Sailfin Molly
Golden Sailfin Molly
Gold Dust Molly
Black Molly
Balloon Molly
Dalmation Molly
Black Lyretail Molly
Black Sailfin Molly
A planted tank is preferable but this species must be maintained in moderately hard or harder water, with a basic pH. When kept in soft or acidic water, the fish weakens fairly rapidly, frequently indicated by shimmying, fungus, and/or clamped fins. Salt is not necessary, as it is the “hard” minerals (calcium, magnesium) that are crucial to the long-term health of this species.
Good filtration is recommended as this fish should be kept in water with zero ammonia and zero nitrite. Mollies require hard, alkaline water with a pH between 7.5 -8.2 and it is adapted to live in a wide range of water temperatures, anywhere between 70-82 0 F will do.
If you want to make a multi-species community tank, you have a variety of alternatives. Mollies get along with almost everyone!
Mollies won’t have any issues living with them as long as the other tankmates are quiet.
Avoid any fish that has a reputation for being hostile. Also, try to keep fish of the same size. Larger fish may try to bully or eat your molly.
For the molly fish, here are some good tank mates:
Plant-based meals are mostly eaten by molly fish. They don’t eat a lot of algae, but they do appreciate blanched veggies like lettuce, spinach, and zucchini. It’s also nice to have a high-protein snack now and then. Mollies will eat bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp, both live and frozen.
Mollies are generally laid-back fish. They’re calm and get along with others.
Mollies are shoaling fish, which means they need to be in the company of others to feel safe. At the absolute least, you should keep a group of four fish. If at all feasible, a larger group is preferable!
For those who are interested, the molly fish breeding process is fascinating and entertaining. Molly fishes are livebearers. Instead of depositing eggs, the female will keep them in her stomach until the time comes for the babies to hatch. She then throws a fully formed, free-swimming fry into the water!
It’s essential to breed mollies in a controlled environment if you want to increase the fry’s chances of survival. Make a separate breeding tank that is slightly warmer, up to 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
Females are more likely to breed with the male that is the most powerful. Place the couple in the breeding tank and wait for the mating process to begin! Before allowing them to fertilise the eggs, the males would court the females.
When your female is pregnant, she will quickly balloon in size. The babies will grow inside her for roughly 35 to 45 days. Place her in a breeding box when she’s going to give birth.
Mollies have no parental instincts, and the majority of them will try to eat the babies. The female is kept trapped in the breeding box as the fry falls through the bottom.
At any given time, a healthy adult molly can give birth to up to 100 babies.
