Molly

Poecilia sphenops

Mollies graze algae off every surface and even tolerate a little salt. The velvet-black form is an all-time classic.

A peaceful freshwater fish that grows to 8 cm, lives in the middle of the tank and needs 22–28 °C, pH 7.2–8.5 and an aquarium of at least 60 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Freshwater

Temperature

22–28 °C (72–82 °F)

pH

7.2–8.5

Adult size

8 cm (3.1 in)

Aquarium

60 L or bigger (16 US gal)

Temperament

Peaceful

Group size

Fine on its own

Swims

Middle

Diet

Omnivore

Wild home

Coastal rivers of Central America

Good to know

• Livebearer. Gives birth to live fry – easy to breed.
• Hardy. Tolerates less-than-perfect water. Great for beginners.
• Algae eater. Keeps algae under control.

Tank mates

Good company: Amano Shrimp, Bristlenose Pleco, Corydoras, Dwarf Gourami, Ghost Shrimp, Honey Gourami, Mystery Snail, Pearl Gourami, Siamese Algae Eater, Zebra Danio.

Eaten by: Asian Arowana, Flowerhorn, Frontosa, Jack Dempsey, Motoro Stingray, Ornate Bichir, Oscar, Siamese Tigerfish.

Attacked by: Demasoni Cichlid, Flowerhorn, Jack Dempsey.

Eats the newborn fry of: Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, Celestial Pearl Danio, Cherry Barb, Chili Rasbora, Crystal Red Shrimp, Ember Tetra, Endler's Livebearer, Ghost Shrimp, Glowlight Tetra, Harlequin Rasbora and 8 more.

Its fry are eaten by: Angelfish, Axolotl, Bala Shark, Betta, Black Ghost Knifefish, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Comet Goldfish, Congo Tetra, Electric Blue Acara, Fancy Goldfish, Firemouth Cichlid and 9 more.

Colours and breeding

• Black common
• Dalmatian common
• Gold common
• Silver Lyretail uncommon

In Aquarius a grown male and female breed in a healthy tank. Their young are born about 0.8 cm long and take after one of the parents.

Some pairs give a colour neither parent has:

• Black × Gold can give Dalmatian

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.