Molly Species
Mollies are popular tropical fish for community aquariums. There are two distinct types, the sailfin molly (poecillia velifera) and the common molly (poecillia sphenops). Sailfin mollies are larger with an extended top fin while the common type is smaller with shorter fins.
Molly Care
The molly is a tropical fish best kept at 24 to 28 degrees Celsius. Heat their water to provide such conditions. Water is best when hard and neutral to alkaline. Salt is highly beneficial for the molly when added to their water.
Wild mollies make up most of their diet with green algae. Tropical flakes containing both protein and plant matter should be fed in captivity. Live or frozen foods should also be provided from time to time.
Molly Varieties
Many different color forms have been developed in both the sailfin and regular molly. Dalmatian mollies are white with black spots all over their body just like the dog breed of the same name. Silver mollies are bright white all over. The popular black molly is dark velvet in appearance from head to tail.
Some fin variations are also seen amongst these fish. lyre tail mollies are the most frequently seen. They have extensions on the top and bottom of the tail fin that forms a deep curve in between the projections.
Body shape has also been selectively bred amongst mollies. The balloon molly is a stout round variation that has become widespread in the last decade.
Breeding Mollies
These fish are one of the live bearer group. Male mollies have a gonopodium while females have a triangular fin in the same place near the vent of the fish.The molly takes up to 60 days between litters of fry but the babies are typically larger than other more prolific live bearers.
Feed the mother a hearty diet of frozen and tropical dry foods to give her all the essential nutrients. Offer plenty of plant cover to hide the new fry and make the mother molly feel relaxed during birth.
Mollies For Sale
Common mollies are
generally lower in price than sailfins but even these are fairly
inexpensive. You can buy molly fish for inclusion in community
aquariums because they are not aggressive. Below are listing of mollies for sale on eBay.
| **RED EYE***~LYRETAIL~~ ALBINO~ SAILFIN ~MOLLY~BREEDERS
$7.99 | |
| SAILFIN~~ORANGE BLACK MOLLY'S~TROPICAL~ COMMUNITY FISH~
$5.99 | |
| MOLLY ~6~PACK TO GO!!!~~~~~TROPICAL~ COMMUNITY FISH~
$5.99 |
