Molly

Common name Molly Picture of young Black Mollies
Young Black Mollies
Picture of Silver Molly Picture of Speckled Molly
Silver and Speckled varieties
Photos taken at Wharf Aquatics
© Sean Evans

Scientific name Poecilia species, which may be P. latipinna (Sailfin Molly) or hybrids and cultivated varieties of different Poecilia species.

Synonyms

Size 4" (10cm), females slightly larger.

Origin Southern USA

Tank setup Hardwater community aquarium with tough plants.

Compatibility Community

Temperature 20-26^oC (68-78^oF)

Water chemistry Hard and alkaline, pH 7.5-8.5.

Feeding Omnivorous: flake, frozen/live foods, algae, green food.

Sexing Males have a large dorsal fin and a gonopodium (modified anal fin).

Breeding Livebearers, up to 50 young are produced. Keep 2 or more females per male.

Comments These fish are often regarded as essentially brackish, but can thrive in fresh, brackish, or even full marine conditions if acclimatised gradually. Although often considered beneficial, the addition of salt to the water is not essential as long as the water is hard and alkaline. If salt is added, it should ideally be marine salt, rather than general aquarium tonic salts. The tank should not however be routinely salted if it is a mixed community containing soft water fishes.
Many colour varieties are available - including silver, mottled and speckled or "dalmation" varieties, and the popular black molly.

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This website was last updated on 18th January 2008

Common name	Molly	Young Black Mollies Silver and Speckled varieties Photos taken at Wharf Aquatics `© Sean Evans`
Scientific name	Poecilia species, which may be P. latipinna (Sailfin Molly) or hybrids and cultivated varieties of different Poecilia species.
Synonyms
Size	4" (10cm), females slightly larger.
Origin	Southern USA
Tank setup	Hardwater community aquarium with tough plants.
Compatibility	Community
Temperature	20-26^oC (68-78^oF)
Water chemistry	Hard and alkaline, pH 7.5-8.5.
Feeding	Omnivorous: flake, frozen/live foods, algae, green food.
Sexing	Males have a large dorsal fin and a gonopodium (modified anal fin).
Breeding	Livebearers, up to 50 young are produced. Keep 2 or more females per male.
Comments	These fish are often regarded as essentially brackish, but can thrive in fresh, brackish, or even full marine conditions if acclimatised gradually. Although often considered beneficial, the addition of salt to the water is not essential as long as the water is hard and alkaline. If salt is added, it should ideally be marine salt, rather than general aquarium tonic salts. The tank should not however be routinely salted if it is a mixed community containing soft water fishes. Many colour varieties are available - including silver, mottled and speckled or "dalmation" varieties, and the popular black molly.