{"product_id":"assorted-molly-poecilia-sphenops","title":"Assorted Molly | Poecilia sphenops","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSociable, hardy and full of personality, Mollies are easygoing livebearers that thrive in harder, slightly mineral-rich water. This assorted listing offers a mix of colours and short-finned forms. They graze algae happily, breed with ease and reach around 8–10 cm, making a cheerful, active staple for the community tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePoecilia sphenops ranges through the fresh and brackish coastal waters of Central America and Mexico, from streams and ditches to estuaries, where the water is typically hard, warm and mineral-rich. This adaptable livebearer even tolerates brackish conditions. A warm, well-planted tank with hard, alkaline water and some open swimming space suits it best.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA sturdy, rounded-bodied livebearer in this assorted mix of colours — black, silver, dalmatian, gold and marbled forms. Males are slimmer with a pointed gonopodium (modified anal fin) used in breeding; females are noticeably fuller-bodied, especially when carrying young. Colour deepens with maturity and a good, varied diet.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful and sociable, though active and occasionally a little nippy, so they suit a lively community rather than very timid or long-finned tankmates. Males can pester females, so keep two or more females per male to spread attention. They mix well with other livebearers and robust community fish that enjoy the same hard, warm water.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivore with a strong appetite for vegetable matter and algae. Offer a quality flake or pellet alongside blanched vegetables, spirulina and occasional frozen foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp. A diet rich in greens keeps mollies healthy and helps prevent digestive problems.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 75 L for a small group. Keep temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 7.5–8.5 and hard water, around GH 15–30; mollies dislike soft, acidic water and are prone to the 'shimmies' when kept in unsuitable conditions. Some keepers add a little aquarium salt, though it is not essential in hard water. Plant safe, and a happy grazer of soft algae.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA prolific livebearer that breeds readily with no intervention. Females give birth to broods of fully formed, free-swimming fry every four to six weeks. Provide dense planting or a breeding box, as adults will eat fry; the young grow quickly on crushed flake and baby brine shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePoecilia sphenops\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMolly (assorted)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral America and Mexico\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 8–10 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (community)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore: flake, pellets, vegetables, algae, frozen foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.5–8.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard, around 15–30 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater; tolerates light brackish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard-water community and planted aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other livebearers such as platies, swordtails and guppies, plus peaceful hard-water community fish like rainbowfish, larger tetras and corydoras.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with fin-nippers, very timid or long-finned fish, and soft-water species that need acidic conditions. Avoid soft, acidic water, which causes ill health.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232789119267,"sku":"AA1438","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232789152035,"sku":"AA1438-M","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/assorted-molly-poecilia-sphenops","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}