{"product_id":"orange-tail-black-lyretail-molly-poecilia-sphenops-freshwater","title":"Orange Tail Black Lyretail Molly (Poecilia sphenops)","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\u003eOrange Tail Black Lyretail Molly\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePoecilia sphenops\u003c\/em\u003e) is a jet black molly with an orange tail that ends in long lyre points at the top and bottom. The contrast makes it stand out in a planted tank, and like other mollies it is peaceful, active and always looking for food. It is a beginner fish once the water is right, and that means hard, alkaline 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\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 starts in a 20 gallon, plan on 30 or more for a group. Mollies are active swimmers with a high bioload.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 82°F, pH 7.5 to 8.5, and hard water. Black mollies are the most sensitive mollies to soft water and cold, and both show up fast as clamped fins and shimmying.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e omnivore with a real need for plant matter. Feed a quality flake plus spirulina or algae foods, and they will graze soft algae in the tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e peaceful with other fish. Males chase females constantly, so if you keep males, give each one several females.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFins:\u003c\/strong\u003e the long lyre points are a target for fin nippers and can tear on sharp decor, so choose tankmates and decor with that in mind.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatch for:\u003c\/strong\u003e shimmying, a side to side wobble in place. It almost always means the water is too soft, too cold, or dirty.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\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;\"\u003eOrange Tail Black Lyretail Molly, Orange Tail Black 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 sphenops\u003c\/em\u003e (captive bred line)\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; the wild species comes from 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\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\u003eSize sold\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMedium\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 3 to 4.5 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 to start, 30 or more for a group\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;\"\u003e7.5 to 8.5, hard water\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, needs plant matter\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\u003eWater type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater (tolerates brackish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\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\u003eBlack mollies fit a hard water community: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/red-wag-platy\"\u003eRed Wag Platies\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/calico-showa-swordtail-xiphophorus-hellerii-freshwater\"\u003eCalico Showa Swordtails\u003c\/a\u003e, other mollies, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bristlenose-pleco-ancistrus-freshwater\"\u003eBristlenose Plecos\u003c\/a\u003e on the bottom. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/racetrack-nerite-snail-vittina-sp-freshwater\"\u003eRacetrack Nerite Snails\u003c\/a\u003e handle algae on the glass without bothering anyone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep them away from fin nippers like tiger barbs and serpae tetras, which shred lyretail fins. Soft water fish such as many wild tetras and dwarf cichlids want different water, so they are a poor match. Very small fish and shrimp fry can get eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e\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-community-crave-krill-spirulina-flakes\"\u003eXtreme Community Crave Krill\/Spirulina Flakes\u003c\/a\u003e as the daily staple flake\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-spirulina-flakes\"\u003eXtreme Spirulina Flakes\u003c\/a\u003e to keep plant matter in the diet\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 as a vegetable treat a few times a week\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-prime-complete-concentrated-water-conditioner\"\u003eSeachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e for every water change\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 check your hardness, then \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-replenish-ro-di-gh-remineralizer\"\u003eSeachem Replenish\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-alkaline-buffer\"\u003eSeachem Alkaline Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e if your water runs soft\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\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\u003eWill the orange tail stay orange?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUsually, but the amount of orange varies from fish to fish and can shift as it grows. Good food and stable water bring out the best color, and stress or poor water dulls it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is my black molly shimmying or sitting with clamped fins?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlack mollies show stress faster than other mollies. Shimmying almost always points to soft water, a temperature drop or dirty water. Test GH, pH and ammonia, check the heater, and do a water change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo mollies need salt?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Mollies tolerate brackish water, but they do not need salt in a freshwater tank. Hard, alkaline water is what matters. If your tap water is soft, raise the hardness instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan it live with guppies and platies?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Mollies, guppies, platies and swordtails all like the same hard water and peaceful company. Just avoid fin nippers, since the lyre points on the tail are easy targets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow big does it get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAbout 3 to 4.5 inches as an adult, bigger than a guppy or platy. Plan the tank for the adult size, not the size at pickup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51102786420955,"sku":"FW1-F7268","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image-coming-soon-shopify_cc8cdf22-d4a6-4442-974d-2fe38f6a6504.png?v=1794440457","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/orange-tail-black-lyretail-molly-poecilia-sphenops-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}