{"product_id":"black-molly-x-guppy-poecilia-sphenops-x-reticulata","title":"Black Molly x Guppy | Poecilia sphenops x reticulata","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Black Molly x Guppy is a hardy hybrid livebearer combining the sturdy, dark body of the black molly with the lively charm of the guppy. Sociable, easy to keep and quick to breed, it suits harder, slightly mineral-rich water and brings dark colour and constant activity to a community. Being a cross between two Poecilia livebearers, size and finnage vary between individuals, typically to around 8-10cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a captive-bred hybrid rather than a wild species, produced by crossing the molly (Poecilia sphenops) with the guppy (Poecilia reticulata). Both parents come from the warm, hard, often mineral-rich waters of Central and South America, so the hybrid shares those preferences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dark-bodied livebearer intermediate between its parents - stockier than a guppy but often carrying more colour or fin than a plain molly. Adults typically reach around 8-10cm, with females larger and fuller than males. Appearance varies noticeably from fish to fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and sociable, an easy community fish best kept in groups. It mixes well with other hardy livebearers and gentle community species that enjoy the same hard, alkaline water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that grazes algae readily. Feed a quality flake or pellet as a staple, plus vegetable matter and algae wafers, with brine shrimp and daphnia as treats. A varied, vegetable-rich diet keeps them healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike both parents, this hybrid does best in hard, neutral-to-alkaline water at 24-28°C with good filtration and gentle current. It weakens in soft, acidic conditions, so mineral-rich water suits it best. Provide some planting and algae to graze, and keep nitrates low with regular water changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA livebearer that breeds readily, dropping free-swimming fry every few weeks. As an existing hybrid, offspring can be variable and their fertility is not always reliable, but fry are raised just as easily as those of the parent species. Dense planting or a breeding trap protects the young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePoecilia sphenops x reticulata (hybrid)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack Molly x Guppy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCaptive-bred hybrid (parents Central \u0026amp; South America)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 8-10cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2-4 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (community)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24-28°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.0-8.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12-30 dGH (hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard-water community and livebearer tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlaties, swordtails, mollies, guppies, larger peaceful tetras, rainbowfish, Corydoras and bristlenose catfish that share its hard-water preferences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSoft-water specialists, fin-nippers, and aggressive or much larger fish. Avoid soft, acidic water in which the molly side of its parentage struggles.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232793149731,"sku":"BA9328","price":12.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232793182499,"sku":"BA9328-M","price":17.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/black-molly-x-guppy-poecilia-43883239506211.webp?v=1790305822","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/black-molly-x-guppy-poecilia-sphenops-x-reticulata","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}