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Scientific Name: Poecilia sphenops, P. mexicana, P. formosa, P. caucana, P. latipinna, P.velifera and P. petenensis
Location: South America, Central and North American. May be found from Texas to Columbia.
Size: 2.5-3.5 inches, females tend to be larger
Water Parameters: Likes high pH (7.5-8.3) and likes hard water too. Mollies do not require salt especially those of the sphenops type.
Temperature: 78-82 degrees F. Temp is very important in keeping them, always keep the temp above 75 F-preferably around 80 F
Feeding: Will take flake food, bloodworms, and vegetable matter. They are primarily algea eaters so alot of vegetable foods are nessesary and needed for good health and condition.
Temperament: Peaceful, but I have noticed that they will nip fins occasionally.
Breeding: These fish are livebearers and will practically breed all the time with no special help. Just get a male (males have a fin that looks like it is clamped that is called a gonopodium. It is located at the edge of the anus) and 2-3 females. Gestation period is 45-60 days depending on water temperature. Higher temperatures will cause gestation period to shorten a little bit. Caring for the young is simple. Feed them baby brine shrimp, crushed flake food, or boiled egg yolk paste(you can find recipes for this if you use google.)
Personal Experiences: I have kept these guys in saltwater and they did not show any unusual behavior. They bred and ate as usual. Babies acted normal too and growed to be nice feeders for my other fish too. I really love these fish and they make great fish to add to a semi-aggresive cichlid tank (i.e firemouths, etc.)
NOTE: Usually when you buy a mollie at a local fish store, they are usually mixed breeds (mutts.) You will probably have to find a reputable breeder to find pure-breeds.
This post has been edited by Wisdom16: 31 August 2005 - 02:43 PM
