Molly
Alternative Name(s): Black Molly, Lyretail, Sailfin, Short Finned Molly
Scientific Name(s): Poecilia sphenops
Category: Tropical
Difficulty:
Maximum Size: 15cms
Minimum Tank Volume: 100 litres
Minimum Tank Size: 36"
Water Temperature Range: 25-28°C
Water pH Range: 7.5-8.5
Water Hardness Range: 15-30 dGH
General Information: Mollies are easy going fish that are happy in fresh or slightly brackish water. They are sensitive to nitrite and nitrate so the addition of marine salt can protect them if other species in the tank permit. Very entertaining to young children and adults alike, they are characterful, cheeky and alert. Can even be hand fed once they settle in.
Tank Requirements: Planted tank, must have hard/alkaline or brackish water to thrive.
Diet Requirements: Mollies will eat pretty much anything, but their natural diet is largely herbivorous with a jaw and digestive tract designed for efficient scraping and grazing of algae and digestion of low protein vegetable matter. Their diet should be based around algae wafers, vegetarian flake and fresh veg with live/frozen foods as an occasional treat.
Compatibility: Not recommended for typical community tanks due to the nature of their requirements for hard, alkaline water. Very peaceful in a community with fish suited to its requirements.
Recommendations: Keep 3 females to one male to avoid the females being harrased and stressed by the male. Avoid mixing with other livebearers to prevent hybridisation.
Common Problems: Because they breed so readily they often inbreed resulting in stunted less healthy specimens and a rapid growth in the tank stock to unsupportable levels.
Similar Species: There are many varities of Molly.
Sexing: As with all livebearers the male has an obvious gonopodium in place of its anal fin.
Breeding: These livebearers will breed pretty much whatever you do, the trick would be to stop them.
Author(s): EagleC, Violet, Fishlady | Photo: EagleC | Views: 36393
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  • Just popping in

 Non heater requiring and less tank size

Really they don't need a heater and work well in as little as 10 l

 
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