{"product_id":"blue-black-marble-balloon-molly-poecilia-sphenops","title":"Blue Black Marble Balloon Molly | Poecilia sphenops","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Balloon Molly is a rounded, selectively bred form of the common molly, and this Blue Black Marble line pairs a stout, high-bellied body with a mottled mix of black and steely blue. Cheerful, active and endlessly social, mollies are hardy livebearers that suit a hard, slightly alkaline community. The balloon shape is a bred deformity of the spine, so these fish stay shorter and rounder than a standard molly, usually around 6 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePoecilia sphenops ranges across Central America and northern South America, from Mexico southward, in warm streams, ditches, coastal lagoons and brackish estuaries. It is used to hard, mineral-rich, often slightly salty water with plenty of algae and sunlight. A planted tank with hard water, open swimming space and good light suits it well.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe balloon form has a dramatically shortened, deep and rounded belly with an arched back, giving a comical, dumpy profile. This marble line is patterned in patches of black and cool blue that vary from fish to fish. Because of the compressed body they swim with a rolling, waddling motion rather than the streamlined glide of a wild molly.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful and sociable, balloon mollies do best in groups and mix well in a calm community of similarly hardy fish. Males display and chase females constantly, so keep several females per male to spread the attention. Their rounded shape makes them slower swimmers, so avoid boisterous or nippy tankmates.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivore with a strong appetite for vegetable matter, the molly grazes algae and takes quality flake and pellet, along with blanched vegetables, spirulina and occasional live or frozen foods. A veg-rich diet keeps the digestive system of the balloon form working well and helps prevent bloating.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 60 L, with 75 L or larger better for a group. Keep temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 7.2–8.2 and hard, alkaline water, around GH 15–30. Mollies appreciate very clean, well-oxygenated water and a little aquarium salt is optional but not essential in hard water. Be aware the balloon body makes these fish more prone to swim-bladder and digestive problems, so feed carefully. Generally plant safe, though they will graze soft algae.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMollies are prolific livebearers that give birth to free-swimming fry roughly every four to six weeks. No special effort is needed to breed them, but the balloon form can have more difficult births, so provide floating plants for fry to hide in and remove pregnant females to a birthing area if you want to save the young. Fry take 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\u003eBlue Black Marble Balloon Molly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral and northern South America (bred ornamental form)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 6 cm (balloon form; shorter than standard mollies)\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 (balloon form a little more delicate)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 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: veg-rich flake and pellet, algae, spirulina, occasional live\/frozen\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\u003e7.2–8.2\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 (grazes soft algae)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include platies, guppies, swordtails, other mollies, peaceful corydoras, bristlenose catfish and other calm hard-water community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with fin-nippers, fast boisterous fish that outcompete the slow balloon form at feeding, and soft-water species that need acidic conditions. Avoid large or aggressive cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232793084195,"sku":"BA9309","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232793116963,"sku":null,"price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/blue-black-marble-balloon-molly-poecilia-sphenops","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}