{"product_id":"metallic-gold-marble-lyretail-molly-poecilia-sphenops","title":"Metallic Gold Marble Lyretail Molly | Poecilia sphenops","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Metallic Gold Marble Lyretail Molly is a selectively bred livebearer that combines a shimmering gold and black marbled body with long, flowing lyre-shaped tail finnage. Hardy, active and sociable, it is an easygoing community fish that grazes algae readily and breeds with very little encouragement. Like all mollies it prefers harder, mineral-rich water and rewards stable conditions with strong colour.\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 freely between fresh and brackish conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA stocky, torpedo-shaped body marbled in warm gold, cream and black, finished with the extended upper and lower tail rays of the lyretail form. Males are slimmer and carry a gonopodium (a modified anal fin used for breeding), while females are fuller-bodied, especially when carrying young.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and community-friendly, though lively and a little pushy at feeding time. Males can chase females persistently, so keeping two or more females per male spreads their attention. Happiest in a small group.\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 good vegetable content, supplemented with blanched vegetables, spirulina and occasional frozen foods. Regular grazing on soft algae keeps them in good health.\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 (a shivering, rocking swimming motion caused by stress). Provide stable, warm, well filtered water in a tank of at least 75 litres, and add mineral hardness if your supply is soft. The long lyretail finnage tears easily, so avoid fin-nippers and strong flow.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA prolific livebearer that produces free-swimming young rather than eggs. Females deliver batches of 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\u003eMetallic Gold Marble Lyretail 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\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\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 hard-water fish like rainbowfish, larger tetras and bristlenose catfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFin-nippers such as tiger barbs, aggressive cichlids, and soft acidic-water specialists that need very different water chemistry.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55525904777507,"sku":"AA5016","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55525921161507,"sku":"AA5016-M","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/metallic-gold-marble-lyretail-molly-poecilia-sphenops","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}