Assorted Molly (Poecilia sphenops) | Live Freshwater Community Fish

The Assorted Molly (Poecilia sphenops) is one of the hardiest, most colorful community fish in the hobby. These peaceful, beginner friendly livebearers come in a mix of colors and fin types, so every bag is a little different. Every molly at Squeaky's is quarantined in house before it hits the sales floor. Browse more freshwater livestock to build out your community tank.

Note: Colors and fin types are assorted and vary by stock. Pick your favorite in store!

Care Guide

• Tank Size: 20 gallons minimum for a small group; 30+ gallons for larger sailfin types.
• Water: Mollies love harder, alkaline water. Aim for pH 7.0 to 8.5 and stable temps of 72 to 82°F. Soft or acidic water is the most common cause of molly health problems.
• Feeding: Omnivores that need plant matter. Feed a quality flake or Aquarium Co-Op Easy Community Floating Pellets once or twice daily, plus spirulina or veggie based foods. Treat with freeze dried brine shrimp a few times a week. They will also graze on soft algae.
• Group Setup: Keep 1 boy for every 2 to 3 girls to spread out attention and keep stress low.
• Breeding: Mollies are livebearers and breed readily. Dense plants or floating cover give fry a place to hide. Feed fry Easy Fry Food for a strong start.
• Maintenance: Weekly 20 to 25% water changes. Mollies are heavy eaters and produce a good amount of waste, so good filtration matters.

Specifications

Compatibility

Mollies get along with most peaceful community fish that enjoy similar hard, alkaline water. Great tank mates include:

• Other livebearers like Mickey Mouse Platies and guppies
• Corydoras such as Panda Corys and Black Venezuela Corys
• Nerite snails for algae cleanup
• Peaceful barbs, danios, and larger tetras

Avoid fin nippers and large aggressive cichlids. Very small shrimp and fry of other species may be eaten.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Aquarium Co-Op Easy Community Floating Pellets
• Aquarium Co-Op Easy Fry Food for baby mollies
• API Freshwater Master Test Kit to keep pH on target
• EHEIM thermocontrol e 50W Heater
• Browse all fish food

FAQ

Are mollies good for beginners?
Yes! They are hardy and forgiving as long as the water is clean, warm, and on the harder, alkaline side.

Do mollies need salt in the water?
No. Mollies do great in freshwater. Some keepers add a small amount of aquarium salt, but it is not required if your water is hard and well maintained.

Will my mollies have babies?
Very likely if you keep boys and girls together. Females can give birth every 4 to 6 weeks. Plants and floating cover help fry survive.

Can I pick a specific color?
Yes. Colors are assorted, so stop by the store and choose the ones you like best.