Poecilia sphenops (Molly)

The species Poecilia sphenops (genus Poecilia), commonly called molly, also known as marbled molly, short-finned molly, or common molly (stylized as mollies for multiple), are fish that are known to inhabit fresh water streams, coastal brackish water, and marine waters in Mexico to Colombia. Male mollies grow up to about 2 inches (5 centimeters) and are more slender, while females grow up to about 2 ½ to just under 4 ½ (7 centimeters to 11 centimeters). Mollies can be kept as aquarium pets with other fish, but may act aggressive with other fish. Male black mollies are known to be more aggressive between the genders.



Mollies are really a freshwater fish despite common belief, but can still inhabit marine & brackish waters as said.

Lifestyle
=== Aquarium Life ===

Aggressiveness
Mollies can be aggressive towards other fish, typically from other species of fish, including zerbrafish (zerbra danio, Danio rerio).

Birth
Mollies give birth to live babies, or fry. Babies/fry are born the same way most baby guppies are born, by coming out tail-first near a hole right behind the belly but before the molly's tail. It is said that their is a "V" right before birth at the bottom of the mother molly's stomach. Mollies usually give birth to around 8 - 30 at once, but it is possible to have over 70 babies at once. If in a community tank, ghost shrimp/glass shrimp (Palaemonetes) and others will or may try to eat the fry of mollies.

Breeds
Dalmatian Molly - A white colored breed with black speckles, or black with silver speckles.

Black Molly or Midnight Molly - A pure black molly (hence its more common name, black molly), whose origins are from a hybrid of Poecilia sphenops (molly) and Poecilia latipinna (sailfin molly), which are both in the genus Poecilia.



Lyre Molly - Bred by Chinese breeder Cheah Yam Menga of Singapore in around 1960. In the sixties this breed of molly with its U-shaped tail was already known to aqua keepers all over the world.