{"product_id":"gold-balloon-molly-poecilia-sphenops","title":"Gold Balloon Molly | Poecilia sphenops","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Gold Balloon Molly is a bright golden selectively bred livebearer with the rounded, high-bellied balloon body shape. Hardy and endlessly active, it is a popular and easygoing community fish that grazes algae happily. It is worth noting that the balloon shape comes from a bred-in curvature of the spine, which can make swimming a little less efficient, so calm tank mates and clean water suit it best.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe molly's wild ancestors come from Central America and southern Mexico, ranging through coastal streams, rivers and estuaries. They naturally live in hard, mineral-rich and sometimes slightly brackish water, grazing algae in warm, sunlit shallows.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA warm golden body with the compact, deep-bellied balloon profile and a broad fan-shaped tail. Males are slimmer and carry a gonopodium (a modified anal fin used for breeding), while females are noticeably rounder, especially when carrying young.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and sociable, doing well in a community of similarly gentle fish and happiest in a small group. Males can be persistent towards females, so keeping more females than males reduces harassment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore with a real appetite for greens. Feed a good flake or pellet along with algae-based foods and blanched vegetables, plus occasional frozen treats. Regular vegetable matter keeps the digestion healthy, which matters more than usual in the balloon form.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide hard, alkaline, well filtered water in a tank of at least 75 litres. Mollies appreciate warmth, stable parameters and good surface movement, and are notably intolerant of soft water and poor conditions. Avoid strong flow, as the balloon body is a weaker swimmer than the standard form.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA livebearer that produces free-swimming young rather than eggs. Females can deliver batches of fry every four to six weeks and may store sperm for multiple broods. Provide dense planting so fry can hide, as adults will eat them given the chance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePoecilia sphenops\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGold Balloon Molly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral America and southern Mexico (captive-bred strain)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to about 8 cm (balloon form usually more compact)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-5 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\u003e75 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore, flakes, pellets, algae and vegetable foods, occasional frozen treats\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\u003e7.5-8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10-30 dGH (hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater, tolerates slightly brackish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard-water community aquariums\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, grazes soft algae but does not damage healthy plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther livebearers such as platies, swordtails and guppies, plus peaceful community fish and Corydoras that enjoy similar hard, warm water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFin-nippers, aggressive cichlids, and soft-water species that need very different water chemistry. Avoid boisterous fast swimmers that may out-compete the slower balloon body form at feeding time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55525905727779,"sku":"AA5017","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55525921194275,"sku":"AA5017-M","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/gold-balloon-molly-poecilia-sphenops","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}