{"product_id":"24kt-lyretail-molly-poecilia-latipinna-freshwater","title":"24kt Lyretail Molly (Poecilia latipinna)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 24kt Lyretail Molly (\u003cem\u003ePoecilia latipinna\u003c\/em\u003e) is a solid metallic gold livebearer with the flowing lyre-shaped tail that gives the strain its name, the top and bottom rays extended into long trailing points. It is a hardy, peaceful, endlessly active fish that grazes algae off the glass all day and gives birth to live young rather than laying eggs. Beginner friendly with one important catch: mollies want hard, alkaline water, so they are a poor match for a soft-water blackwater setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003elive fish\u003c\/a\u003e, or mix them with our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/dalmatian-lyretail-molly-poecilia-latipinna-freshwater\"\u003eDalmatian Lyretail Mollies\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/assorted-lyretail-molly-poecilia-latipinna-freshwater\"\u003eAssorted Lyretail Mollies\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater chemistry matters most.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mollies want hard, alkaline water: pH 7.0 to 8.5 with moderate to high mineral content. Most Georgia tap water suits them well straight out of the tap. If your water is soft or you run a peat or driftwood-heavy tank, expect problems. Crushed coral in the filter or a remineralizer solves it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank size.\u003c\/strong\u003e A 20 gallon long is the sensible minimum, and 29 gallons or more is better once you account for how fast they breed. They are bigger and messier than they look, with females reaching 3 to 4 inches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStocking ratio.\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep two or three females per male. Males chase females relentlessly, and a lone female with a lone male gets harassed to exhaustion. A group of all females also works fine if you do not want fry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters.\u003c\/strong\u003e Temperature 72 to 82°F. They are sensitive to nitrate buildup and to unstable water more than to any specific number, so a weekly 30 percent water change does most of the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet.\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore that leans vegetarian. A spirulina or algae-based flake should be the staple, not a plain protein pellet. Supplement with blanched vegetables, frozen brine shrimp, and daphnia. Mollies fed only high-protein food tend toward bloat and digestive trouble.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout salt.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mollies tolerate brackish water and are sometimes kept with added salt, but it is not required in a freshwater community tank and will harm salt-sensitive tank mates and live plants. Keep aquarium salt as a treatment tool, not a permanent additive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThey will breed.\u003c\/strong\u003e If you have both sexes, you will get fry, roughly every four to six weeks with no effort on your part. Adults eat most of them, so dense plants such as hornwort or java moss let a few survive. Plan for what you will do with the fry before you buy a mixed group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:560px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePoecilia latipinna\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e24kt Lyretail Molly, Gold Lyretail Molly, Sailfin Molly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e3 to 4 inches (females larger)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful, active\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e20 gallons long, 29+ preferred\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 82°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH Range\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e7.0 to 8.5 (hard, alkaline)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore, vegetarian-leaning\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReproduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLivebearer, fry every 4 to 6 weeks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSwimming Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAll levels, favors upper half\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCaptive bred color form\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e3 to 5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMatch them with other hard-water community fish. The main constraint is water chemistry, not aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest matches.\u003c\/strong\u003e Other livebearers on the same water: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-wag-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus-freshwater\"\u003eplaties\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pineapple-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii-freshwater\"\u003eswordtails\u003c\/a\u003e, guppies, and our other \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sailfin-molly-poecilia-latipinna-freshwater\"\u003eSailfin Mollies\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlso fine.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-invertebrates\"\u003eNerite snails\u003c\/a\u003e, which actually prefer the same hard water, plus larger peaceful tetras and rainbowfish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCleanup crew.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vittatus-freshwater-algae-eater\"\u003eOtocinclus\u003c\/a\u003e and loaches such as the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/yo-yo-loach-botia-almorhae-freshwater\"\u003eYo-Yo Loach\u003c\/a\u003e work well in a larger tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid.\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft-water specialists that need acidic conditions, since you cannot satisfy both in one tank. Also avoid fin nippers such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tiger-barb-puntigrus-tetrazona-freshwater\"\u003eTiger Barbs\u003c\/a\u003e, which will shred those trailing lyretail fins.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlants.\u003c\/strong\u003e Generally plant safe, though a hungry molly will graze soft new growth. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/java-fern-on-lava-rock-microsorum-pteropus-freshwater\"\u003eJava Fern\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/anubias-pinto-cup\"\u003eAnubias\u003c\/a\u003e are tough enough to ignore.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-spirulina-flakes\"\u003eXtreme Spirulina Flakes\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-spirulina-flake-food\"\u003eOcean Nutrition Spirulina Flake\u003c\/a\u003e as the veggie-forward staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-community-crave-krill-spirulina-flakes\"\u003eXtreme Community Crave Krill \u0026amp; Spirulina Flakes\u003c\/a\u003e for a balanced everyday food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-algae-wafers\"\u003eHikari Algae Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e to keep them grazing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-a-aquarium-salt-2lb\"\u003eFritz Aquarium Salt\u003c\/a\u003e to keep on hand as a treatment, not a daily additive\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hornwort-ceratophyllum-demersum-freshwater-plant\"\u003eHornwort\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/java-moss-taxiphyllum-barbieri-freshwater-moss\"\u003eJava Moss\u003c\/a\u003e to give fry a place to hide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-safe\"\u003eSeachem Safe\u003c\/a\u003e for water changes and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-stability\"\u003eSeachem Stability\u003c\/a\u003e when cycling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMore in \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eNutrition\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/maintenance-water-care\"\u003eWater Care\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-testing\"\u003eWater Testing\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo mollies need salt in the water?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nNo. They tolerate salt and brackish conditions, but a standard freshwater community tank with hard, alkaline water suits them completely. Adding salt permanently will damage live plants and stress salt-sensitive tank mates, so leave it for treating illness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many should I get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThree or more, weighted toward females if you buy males. Two or three females per male keeps the chasing spread out. An all-female group is the simplest option if you do not want a population explosion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill the gold color hold?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes. The 24kt strain is a stable solid gold, unlike some assorted mollies that shift as they mature. Color intensity still depends on diet, so keep carotenoid-rich foods in the rotation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat do I do with all the fry?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nMost get eaten in a community tank, which is the usual outcome. If you want to raise them, move a pregnant female to a separate tank or add dense floating plants. Talk to us before you end up with sixty mollies, we can advise on rehoming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy do their fins look ragged sometimes?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nUsually nitrate buildup or the wrong water chemistry rather than disease. Check that your pH is above 7.0, your water is not too soft, and your water changes are keeping up. Persistent fin damage with a nippy tank mate present points at the tank mate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo you hold fish for pickup?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes. Your order is reserved as soon as it is placed, and we leave the fish in its tank until you arrive so it stays in the best possible shape.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48983179165915,"sku":"330012","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/b41cba7c-ac43-4eab-a4c4-665b5038bc42.png?v=1784455144","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/24kt-lyretail-molly-poecilia-latipinna-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}