Molly

Mollies are peaceful, lively fish and popular fish that make good additions to many community tanks.  Most Mollies available in the aquarium hobby are hybrids of the Sailfin Molly (poecilia latpina) and the Sphenops Molly (poecilia sphenops).  They are a livebearer, and easy to breed.

Hobbyist Level:  they are suitable for beginners.
Adult Size:  3"

Housing:   An aquarium of  20 gal or more is recommended.  Give them bushy plants in the back and an open swimming room in the front.  Plastic plants can be used by live plants are best.  Live plants will provide a hiding spots for babies.  Plants they are tolerant of a little salt in the water include Java Fern, Anubias, Vallisneria.  In nature mollies often inhabit brackish water so the addition of some aquarium salt is beneficial.  We recommend one tablespoon of aquarium salt per 5 gallons.   Mollies like warmer water so keep the temperature 75-82. (pH- 6.8-8.2).

Tankmates: Keep with other small peaceful fish. Some good tankmates include  tetras, moons, swordtails,  white clouds, small angels.  The males like to chase females around so it is best to mix one male for each 2 or 3 females.   Larger mollies will also thrive in a larger community tank with with active, larger fish such as barbs, gouramis, medium sized angels, sharks, catfish and silver dollars.

Mollies in Brackish Water Tanks:  Mollies will tolerate higher levels of salt.  They can mix with brackish water fish such as Scats, Orange Chromides,  Colunbian Sharks,  Figure Eight Puffers and Archers.

A Livebearer only Tank:  A nice way to keep mollies is a livebearer specialty tank. The tank would include groups of mollies, moons, swordtail and guppies.  You can keep some corydoras cats as scavengers.  Maintain bushy plants, keep some salt in the water and keep the temperature warm.  They will breed and thrive.

Feeding:  Mollies and other livebearers should be fed small frequent feedings.  Feed flakes, brine shrimp, bloodworms, and small pellets (Tetra Bits)  They are omnivores and  some greens in their diet is important. Some greens in their diet is important.  A spirulina based flake food will provide greens.

Longevity:  Average 2 years

Problems:  Treatment for many problems should include a partial water change, adjust temperature to 82 degrees, add some salt and treat with Clout or Quick Cure.

Breeding:  Mollies are easy to breed.  They are livebearers.  They give birth to 20-50 fry.  Males have a spiked gonopidium fin. The picture at the right shows a male with a gonopodium fin.  Males are usually also smaller and slimmer.

Natural Range:  Mollies are native to Central / South America.  All mollies we sell are domestically bred, and many of the mollies you see at our store are locally bred.

Group of Dalmatian Mollies


Gold Sailfin and Silver Sailfin
Male Livebearer with spiked
gonopodium fin