{"product_id":"orange-sunkist-balloon-molly-poecilia-sphenops","title":"Orange Sunkist Balloon Molly | Poecilia sphenops","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Orange Sunkist Balloon Molly is a bright, sunset-orange livebearer with the distinctive short, rounded \"balloon\" body shape. Sociable, hardy and full of personality, it is an easygoing community fish that grazes algae and breeds with ease. It stays small, at around 6 cm, and brings a cheerful splash of warm colour to a hard-water tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe molly (Poecilia sphenops) is native to fresh, brackish and coastal waters of Central America and northern South America, where it lives in warm, hard, mineral-rich streams, ditches and lagoons. This mineral-rich background is why mollies do best in harder, slightly alkaline water rather than soft, acidic set-ups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Balloon Molly is a selectively bred form with a shortened spine that gives it a deep, rounded belly and an upright, waddling swimming style. The Orange Sunkist is a vivid orange throughout. It is worth being honest that the balloon shape is the result of a deliberate spinal deformity, and these fish can be slightly less robust swimmers and a little more prone to health issues than standard-bodied mollies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA peaceful, active community fish that enjoys the company of its own kind and other calm species. Males can be a little pushy toward females, so keeping two or three females per male helps spread attention. They mix well in a hard-water community and are always on the go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore with a strong appetite for algae and plant matter. Feed a quality flake or pellet alongside vegetable-based foods, blanched vegetables and the occasional frozen treat. Plenty of vegetable content keeps their digestion healthy and helps them graze naturally on algae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide at least 75 litres, ideally 100 litres or more, with hard, slightly alkaline water and gentle filtration. Mollies appreciate stable, mineral-rich conditions and some keepers add a little aquarium salt, though it is not essential in hard water. Warm, clean water and regular water changes keep them thriving.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMollies are prolific livebearers: females give birth to fully formed, free-swimming fry every four to six weeks, often storing sperm to produce several broods from a single mating. Provide dense planting or a breeding box, as adults will eat their own young. No special effort is needed — they will breed readily in a healthy tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\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\u003eOrange Sunkist Balloon Molly, Balloon Molly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDomesticated form; wild ancestors from Central and northern South America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 6 cm (balloon form; standard mollies grow larger)\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 – flake, pellet and plenty of vegetable matter\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\u003e7.5–8.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–30 dGH (hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater; tolerates a little salt)\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 algae but does not damage healthy plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther livebearers such as platies, swordtails and guppies, plus peaceful hard-water community fish like larger tetras, rainbowfish, Corydoras and bristlenose catfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFin-nippers, aggressive cichlids, and soft-water specialists that need very different water chemistry. Very fast or boisterous fish may outcompete the slower-swimming balloon form at feeding time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232792789283,"sku":"BA9308","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232792822051,"sku":null,"price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Orange_Sunkist_Balloon_Molly_d344e3b4-750c-46b4-a52c-39648e2d6031.jpg?v=1781697969","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/orange-sunkist-balloon-molly-poecilia-sphenops","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}