{"product_id":"gold-marble-molly-poecilia-sphenops","title":"Gold Marble Molly | Poecilia sphenops","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Gold Marble Molly is a hardy, sociable livebearer splashed with warm gold and black marbling. Easygoing and full of personality, it grows to around 8–10 cm and thrives in harder, slightly mineral-rich water. Mollies graze algae happily and breed with ease, making them a cheerful staple of the community tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMollies originate from the fresh and brackish coastal waters, streams and estuaries of Central America and southern Mexico. These are typically hard, alkaline, mineral-rich waters, and wild populations often move between fresh and brackish conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA stocky, torpedo-shaped body marbled in gold, cream and black, with a broad fan-like tail. Males are slimmer and carry a gonopodium (a modified anal fin), while females are noticeably rounder, especially when carrying young.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGenerally peaceful and community-friendly, though lively and occasionally cheeky at feeding time. Males can chase females persistently, so keeping two or more females per male spreads their attention. A relaxed, social fish that does best in small groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore with a strong appetite for algae and plant matter. Offer a quality flake or pellet with a good vegetable content, supplemented with blanched vegetables, spirulina and occasional frozen foods. Regular grazing on soft algae keeps them healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMollies need hard, alkaline water and are notably intolerant of soft water and poor conditions, which can trigger \"the shimmies.\" Provide stable, warm, well-filtered water, add some mineral hardness if your supply is soft, and consider a little aquarium salt only if tankmates tolerate it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA prolific livebearer. Females deliver batches of free-swimming fry every four to six weeks and can store sperm for several broods. Provide dense planting or a breeding box, as adults will eat the fry 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 Marble Molly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral America and southern Mexico\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 cm\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\u003e90+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (algae-grazing)\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 (may graze soft algae and tender leaves)\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 hard-water fish like rainbowfish, larger tetras and bristlenose catfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoft, acidic-water specialists, fin-nippers, and aggressive cichlids that will harass or outcompete them.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232793346339,"sku":"BA9240","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232793379107,"sku":null,"price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Gold_Marble_Molly_293743a5-d9e6-4b1b-a692-2f7813e490c7.jpg?v=1781697964","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/gold-marble-molly-poecilia-sphenops","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}