{"product_id":"dalmatian-molly-poecilia-sphenops","title":"Dalmatian Molly | Poecilia sphenops","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Dalmatian Molly is a cheerful, hardy livebearer speckled black-and-white like its namesake dog. Sociable and full of personality, it grows to around 8–10 cm and is an easygoing staple of the community tank. Mollies graze algae, breed readily and thrive in harder, slightly mineral-rich water.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePoecilia sphenops is native to Central America and northern South America, where it lives in warm, hard, often coastal fresh waters — streams, ditches and lagoons, some of which are slightly brackish. It favours sunlit, vegetated shallows with plenty of algae and warmth, which explains its liking for hard, alkaline aquarium water.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Dalmatian is a mottled black-and-white colour form of the short-finned molly, with a stocky, rounded body and a lively, upturned mouth built for grazing. Each fish is uniquely spotted. Males are slimmer with a rod-like gonopodium (modified anal fin), while females are fuller-bodied, especially when carrying young.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA peaceful, sociable community fish, best kept in groups with more females than males to spread out the males' constant courtship. Males can squabble and pester, and crowding brings out nipping, but in a roomy tank they are easygoing. They mix well with other livebearers and peaceful community species that enjoy similar hard water.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivore with a strong appetite for plant matter. Feed a quality vegetable or spirulina-based flake or pellet as the staple, plus blanched vegetables such as zucchini and spinach, and occasional protein treats like bloodworm and brine shrimp. Grazing on soft algae is natural and healthy for them.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 75 L, with 100 L or larger better for a group. Keep temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 7.5–8.4 and hard water — mollies do poorly in soft, acidic conditions and a little added mineral hardness keeps them healthy. Some keepers add a touch of aquarium salt, though it is not essential in hard water. Good filtration and regular water changes keep this active fish thriving. It is plant safe, grazing only on algae.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA prolific livebearer. Females give birth to broods of 20 to over 100 free-swimming fry roughly every four to six weeks, and can store sperm to produce several broods from one mating. Provide dense planting or a breeding trap to shelter fry from hungry adults; the young grow quickly on finely crushed food.\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\u003eDalmatian Molly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral America and northern South America (captive-bred)\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\u003e100 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (herbivore-leaning): vegetable\/spirulina flake, blanched veg, occasional live 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\u003e7.5–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard, around 10–30 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater; tolerates slightly brackish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard-water community and livebearer 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, guppies and swordtails, plus peaceful hard-water community fish like rainbowfish, corydoras and bristlenose catfish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with soft-water specialists, fin-nipping species, and large or aggressive fish. Avoid soft, acidic water, which mollies tolerate poorly.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232790855971,"sku":"BA8835","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232790888739,"sku":null,"price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/dalmatian-molly-poecilia-sphenops","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}