{"product_id":"assorted-balloon-molly-poecilia-freshwater","title":"Assorted Balloon Molly (Poecilia sp.)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\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\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eAssorted Balloon Molly\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePoecilia\u003c\/em\u003e sp.) is a short, round-bellied molly with an arched back, a calm personality and a big appetite. Colors vary from fish to fish (white, gold, black, dalmatian and mixed patterns are all common, and many have tall sailfin dorsals), and the mix in our tank changes with each shipment. They are peaceful, beginner-friendly livebearers as long as they get hard, mineral-rich water. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater fish and supplies\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\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons or larger for a small group. Balloon Mollies are slow, deliberate swimmers, so gentle filter flow, open swimming room and a few plants suit them best.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hard, alkaline water is the key to keeping mollies well: GH 12 to 30 dGH, KH 10 to 25 dKH, pH 7.0 to 8.5, 72 to 82°F. Gwinnett County tap water is very soft (under 1 dGH when we test it), so plan on a GH remineralizer such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-replenish-ro-di-gh-remineralizer\"\u003eSeachem Replenish\u003c\/a\u003e plus a KH buffer such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-alkaline-buffer\"\u003eSeachem Alkaline Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e with every water change. Replenish raises GH only, so use both.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivores that need plenty of greens. Use a spirulina or algae-based flake like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-spirulina-flakes\"\u003eXtreme Spirulina Flakes\u003c\/a\u003e as the staple, add \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-mini-algae-wafers\"\u003eHikari Mini Algae Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e or a gel food, and offer small meaty foods such as brine shrimp a few times a week. Feed small portions twice a day.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe balloon body:\u003c\/strong\u003e The round shape is bred in, from a shortened, curved spine. It makes them slower swimmers and more prone to bloating and swim bladder trouble than standard mollies, so avoid overfeeding and keep them away from fast, pushy tankmates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGroups:\u003c\/strong\u003e Males chase females constantly. Two or three females per male spreads that attention out and keeps the tank calm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Livebearers. With males and females together, expect fully formed fry roughly once a month. Adults eat many of them, so dense plants or a breeder box help if you want to raise some.\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;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\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;\"\u003eBalloon Molly, Balloon Belly Molly, Balloon Sailfin Molly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\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\n\u003cem\u003ePoecilia\u003c\/em\u003e sp., a domestic hybrid line sold as both \u003cem\u003ePoecilia latipinna\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003ePoecilia sphenops\u003c\/em\u003e\n\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. Wild mollies range from the southern United States through Mexico and Central America.\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-friendly, needs hard water\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\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;\"\u003eAbout 2 to 3 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e20 gallons\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, mostly plant-based\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\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\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e7.0 to 8.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eGH 12 to 30 dGH, KH 10 to 25 dKH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater (tolerates slightly brackish water)\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\u003eGood tank mates are other peaceful fish that like hard water: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/red-wag-platy\"\u003eplaties\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/calico-showa-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii-freshwater\"\u003eswordtails\u003c\/a\u003e, other mollies such as the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/dalmatian-lyretail-molly-poecilia-latipinna-freshwater\"\u003eDalmatian Lyretail\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/24kt-lyretail-molly-poecilia-latipinna-freshwater\"\u003e24kt Lyretail\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bristlenose-pleco-ancistrus-freshwater\"\u003eBristlenose Plecos\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-invertebrates\"\u003enerite snails\u003c\/a\u003e. Skip fin nippers like tiger barbs and serpae tetras, fast or pushy fish that beat them to every meal, and soft-water species such as neon tetras and rasboras, which want very different water.\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;\"\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: a plant-heavy daily staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-mini-algae-wafers\"\u003eHikari Mini Algae Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/repashy-soilent-green-algae-gel-food\"\u003eRepashy Soilent Green\u003c\/a\u003e for extra greens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-replenish-ro-di-gh-remineralizer\"\u003eSeachem Replenish\u003c\/a\u003e to raise GH in soft tap water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-alkaline-buffer\"\u003eSeachem Alkaline Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e to raise KH and hold pH steady\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-general-hardness-gh-test-kit-freshwater\"\u003eFritz GH Test Kit\u003c\/a\u003e to confirm your hardness\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;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo Balloon Mollies need aquarium salt?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot as a rule. They tolerate slightly brackish water, but what keeps mollies healthy long term is hard, mineral-rich water: calcium and magnesium (GH) plus steady KH. Salt can't stand in for those minerals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I choose the color, or a male or female?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eColors and sexes are assorted. When you come in for pickup, tell us what you're hoping for and we'll do our best to net fish you love from what's in the tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre they good for beginners?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, with one condition: hard water. In soft local tap water mollies often struggle, so a remineralizer, a KH buffer and a GH test are worth having from day one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does my Balloon Molly look bloated or swim at an angle?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe compact balloon body leaves less room for the gut and swim bladder. Small, plant-heavy meals and clean, hard water help the most. If one keeps floating, tilting or stops eating, bring us a water sample and we'll take a look with you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they breed in my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVery likely, if you have males and females. Fry are born live and fully formed, and dense plants or a breeder box give some of them a chance to grow up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48257094156507,"sku":"48257094156507","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/assorted-balloon-molly-poecilia-freshwater_f93a563b-2f8c-4902-a1ca-37a353f719f7.jpg?v=1791530890","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/assorted-balloon-molly-poecilia-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}