Mollies are a very popular group of livebearing aquarium fish, very active, peaceful, easy to care for and easy to breed.
Most Mollies seen in aquaria are descendants of three closely related species. For many decades they have been selectively bred and also hybridized, resulting in several different variations and many attractive colours. Mollies are native to coastal regions around the Gulf of Mexico, mostly from southern USA to Mexico, with one species also extending across Central America. They are quite adaptable, living in fresh, brackish and marine waters. Most Mollies grow to about 7-9cm, the larger exception being the Sailfin Molly.
Mainly vegetarian, Mollies have very healthy appetites and should be fed at least 2-3 times per day. They will eat most standard fish foods, but have a preference for vegetable based foods, they also enjoy grazing on any green algae growing in their aquarium.
While not too fussy about water conditions, they do prefer alkaline water of moderate hardness and they also should not be kept in soft or acidic water. Aquarium salts should be added at a slightly higher dosage rate than normal, particularly in soft water areas.
Mollies prefer temperatures in the mid to high 20's (in the wild they inhabit warm shallow waters.) Being heavy feeders, their aquarium should be well filtered.
Like most livebearers, Mollies are easy to breed. From a single mating a female can give birth a number of times, the gestation period varies from 4-6 weeks depending on water temperature. When born the fry are fully developed and can be easily raised on commercial fish foods, starting with fry foods such as Super Baby Min and Fry Bites. The fry need to be isolated in a small aquarium or in a breeding trap, otherwise most will be eaten by any other fish present, including their mother.
(The common name Molly is a shortening of an old scientific name, Mollies were once place in the genus Mollienisia). Sub Categories
Miscellaneous
Sailfin
Lyretail
Mini Mollies
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