Mollies are concern to another democratic fish , the Lebistes reticulatus . And they have similar needs and care necessary . They ’re known for their friendly demeanor and desire for geographic expedition . You ’ll often see molly Pisces float around the tank checker out raw places and interacting with other fishes .
Molly Fish Care Guide
Like other fish , fresh water or saltwater , Mollies expect clean , overbold water and a good filtration organization . They do well in community tanks and thrive in grouping .
Molly Appearance
Mollies have rectangular body , with female person appear tumid by the rump end . Males are often described as shaped like a crampfish . blackened mollies are completely black , like their name implies . Sailfin mollies can fall in several colors and patterns and are known for their prominent dorsal fin .
You ’ll also observe mollies in people of colour like crimson , white , gold , orange , platinum , and green . They can also have patterns like marble and dalmatian . mollie can also have dissimilar tail shape like guppies , such as round , lyre , and moon tail end . There are also mollies with a poor eubstance known as balloon mollies .
Molly Lifespan and Health
Mollies live , on average , three to five yr . They are known for getting the slip or molly disease , which is triggered by stress and water that ’s too cold-blooded for them . molly can also get other coarse fish ailments like velvet , fin rot , swim vesica disease , and ich .
Choosing the Aquarium for Proper Molly Care
You ’ll want at least a 20 - gallon tank car for these societal swimmers . Anything smaller , and your Pisces wo n’t have the elbow room they require to float freely . Plus , would n’t you rather have a sleeping room than a water closet ? The same goes for our fish . If you ’re planning on rig up a residential district frame-up with other friendly Pisces the Fishes , hunting for an even larger fish tank . Here are some tips for setting up your marine museum , whether it ’s a community of interests army tank or just the mollies .
Add a Good Quality Filtration System
When it comes to keep your Molly Pisces happy and healthy , do n’t underestimate the power of a proficient filtration arrangement . These little guys may be low - maintenance , but clean , well - disseminate water is still a must . You ’ll want a filter that can handle both mechanically skillful and biological filtration . mechanically skillful filtration remove forcible dust — think uneaten food and Pisces wastefulness — while biological filtration deals with harmful ammonia and nitrate .
For a molly - friendly marine museum , aim for a filter rated at least for the actual size of your tank . filter like cling - on - back ( HOB ) or canister filter are generally solid choices for molly tanks . Just make trusted to regularly check and clean or interchange the filter medium to keep everything running smoothly .
Like the sizing of the fish tank , the bigger the well . filter plan for larger aquariums can be helpful , specially in community tanks .
Ideal Water Conditions for Mollies
You might believe it ’s just water , but mollie have their preferences . Aim for a water temperature between 75 ° and 80 ° F ( 24 ° to 27 ° C ) . These tropical looker do it their water warm . They also choose slightly alkaline weewee , so shoot for apH rangeof 7.5 to 8.5 . If you could bring off it , they also appreciate a little aquarium salt in their water — just a teaspoon per gallon should do the trick . And do n’t forget about weewee hardness . Mollies like it reasonably intemperately , so aim for a dGH between 10 and 25 .
Regular water supply change — about 25 % to 30 % every week — will keep your molly ’s aquarium intelligent .
Testing Water Hardness
Lighting for Your Molly Tank
Not only does right lighting make your marine museum appear like a dazzling subaqueous paradise , but it also helps regulate the life inside it . molly , like most fish , benefit from a regular 24-hour interval - night hertz . A good LED Light Within can simulate raw daylight atmospheric condition . If you have live plant in your tank — which Mollies absolutely love — right ignition will aid them grow , add up another layer of wellness and lulu to your tankful .
A hood is also recommend to prevent water supply evaporation and assert a static tank surround .
Add Gravel, Plants, and Accessories
This is where you’re able to get passing creative . Let your unfounded side fly free and have fun with this tone . Here ’s the order you should follow to make your tank as stable and beautiful as possible .
If you ’re not quick to worry for live plants , you’re able to add in some stilted plants to provide hiding place .
Feeding Molly Fish
molly are n’t picky eaters , but that does n’t mean you should just throw in any honest-to-god fish nutrient . A balanced dieting is key to keeping these colorful swimmers happy and hefty . Start with a proficient quality flake or pellet food formulated for tropical fish . These are designed to render the right-hand admixture of proteins , vitamins , and minerals for your Pisces metal money . In other words , do n’t eat goldfish flakes to your tropical fish — or vice versa .
Moderation is primal . Overfeeding can pass to health trouble and a messy tank . direct to feedyour mollie once or twice a daylight , and only give them as much as they can eat in a few minutes . Of naturally , this may take some test and error at first , but once you know how much they eat in the first couple of minutes , you’re able to dial down or add more as need .
For a protein boost , you’re able to also offer them inhabit or immobilise - dried foods like seawater shrimp or bloodworm .
Molly Fish Personality Traits
mollie are societal butterflies . They thrive in groups , so if you have a Molly Pisces on their own , reckon puzzle a few more to keep them company . You ’ll notice they ’re combat-ready and playful , often chasing each other around just for the sport of it . While they ’re generally passive fish , like us , they can have their moments . Some may become aggressive , nipping at tank mate or establishing a pecking monastic order on occasion , but overall , they tend to keep to themselves and explore their environment .
Types of Mollies
There are a few species of molly commonly found in fish tank . Most mollies have been crossbreed , so it can be grueling to tell what their original species was .
Shortfin Molly
There are two type of shortfin molly : Poecilia mexicanaandPoecilia shenops .
Poecilia sphensopis also known as the black molly and is among the most common metal money . These guys do n’t have the flashy fins like others do , but they do have quite the personality . They ’re known to be more up-and-coming , pall about the tank in playful spirt . These mollies can be entertaining to watch , especially if you ’re create a tank for kids . They come in a variety of colour , from classic ash grey to vibrant orange tree , so you’re able to really mix it up .
Sailfin Molly
The sailfin molly also has two types : Poecilia latipinnaandPoecilia velifera . The velifera , or Mexican sailfin molly , is more difficult to find than the latipinna . Either manner , you’re able to think of these types as the peacocks of the Pisces the Fishes earth . They have large , flowery dorsal fins , which is what led to their name . As with most other Pisces the Fishes species , the male is more radiant than the female . Sailfins fall in an array of colour , from shimmering silver to velvety black , and they absolutely bonk way to swim . A broad tankful allows them to really distribute their quintuplet , both literally and figuratively .
Liberty Molly
Poecilia salvatoris , also experience asthe shore leave molly , is mention for their red , whitened , and blue colors that resemble the American flag . This Pisces the Fishes is a patriotic burst of color for any tank .
They ’re also quite stalwart , stick out a range of pee conditions , which makes them a great option for both beginners and seasoned aquarists . So , if you ’re looking for a Pisces the Fishes that bestow both color and character to your marine museum , ascertain out this fish species .
Brackish Water Shortfin Molly
While many mollie are contented in fresh water or saltwater , this one expand solely in brackish conditions — a mix of saucy and saltiness water that mimics sure rude habitat like estuaries . place up a brackish tank might sound like a job , but it ’s actually fun to make .
briny shortfin mollies , scientifically known asPoecilia gillii , have the same social , alive traits as their fresh water congeneric . And the slightly salty environs actually land out the good in them . It ’s say to raise their colors and boost their immune organization . In brackish conditions , these mollies also lean to be less susceptible to common fish disease .
Swordtail Sailfin Molly
The swordtail sailfin molly , scientifically known asPoecilia petenensis , has the sail - comparable dorsal quintuplet of the sailfin molly with an elongated tail that ’s reminiscent of a swordtail fish . The male ’s tails are importantly more decorative , contribute even more flair to your tank . Like other molly species , they ’re societal , active , and generally peaceful . They ’re also known to be stalwart , flourish in both fresh water and brackish marine museum .
Molly Tank Mates
mollie can live jubilantly with other types of fish that are also passive . Some good plebeian tank mates for mollies admit :
Choosing the Molly Fish
If you ’re look for a low - care , societal , and colorful addition to your aquatic kinsperson , then molly are great pets ! With proper care , these beaut can live up to five twelvemonth , providing endless enjoyment and maybe evena few generation of miniskirt - molly .
