Molly Fish

The genus mollie, or mollienesia as it was originally designated, has some of the most beautiful and interesting live-bearer fish variations. The sailfin molly is perhaps one of the most bizarre fish species available. Mollies, on the other hand, are the hardest of the common live-bearers to keep since they are the most sensitive of the live-bearers. When they are cold or otherwise subjected to environmental stress of any type, they suffer a condition referred to colloquially as "shimmies." In actuality, this is not an infectious condition, but rather a complication of stress symptoms.

Molly fish are American fish that are mostly found in the wild in North and South America. They were first identified by naturalists in the 1820s. The molly has been a popular fish to keep in freshwater aquariums since before 1899. Because all molly fish species can hybridise with one another, their appearances range over a wide range of colours, patterns, and combinations. Because most species have significant populations in the wild, this fish is not considered endangered. They are technically omnivores, however, they predominantly eat on plant materials.

Mollies can be found from the southern United States all the way down to Central America. These fish's native range ranges from the southern United States to Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, and they flourish primarily in freshwater habitats, occasionally straying into saline estuaries. Mollies, like guppies, can temporarily acclimate to full-strength seawater, although it is not their normal environment.

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Scientific Name

The molly fish is a member of the Poeciliidae family and the Poecilia genus.  It derives from the word "poikilos," which means "many colours." This reflects the fact that these fish differ greatly in terms of the colours and patterns they display. The scientific names of many molly fish species vary. Poecilia sphenops, for example, is the scientific name for the common, or short-finned, molly. The name "Sphenops" means "wedge appearance" and alludes to the stubby, wedge-shaped fins of this species. Poecilia latipinna is the scientific name for the sailfin molly, popularly known as the topsail molly. The name "Latipinna" means "wide fin," which describes the morphology of this species' fins. Finally, the scientific name for the Mexican sailfin molly is Poecilia velifera. The name "Velifera" means "sail-bearing," which refers to the species' distinctive sailfin.

Colours, Markings and Behaviour

The common molly is a drab, silvery tint in the wild. While their bodies are typically light grey in colour, mating males may be greenish-blue in colour. Many mollies have rows of spots on their sides, backs, and dorsal fins. These specks might become so packed together that they resemble one huge design. Molly fish are distinguished by their hefty, thick-set bodies, rounded fins, tall, angular dorsal fins, and pointed heads and mouths. Their upturned mouths are meant to assist them in skimming the upper layer of oxygen-rich water. Their tails have a convex shape. Mollies can grow to be as long as 20 cm in the wild. 

Most molly fish, on the other hand, range in size from 5 to 13 cm. Males are typically smaller than females, while female mollies have rounder bodies. The gonopodiums of male mollies are one of its most recognisable features. These are anal fins that function as narrow copulatory structures. Gonopodiums, which look like rods, are employed during reproduction to transfer sperm into female mollies.

Mollies, unlike many other fish, migrate in shoals rather than groups. A shoal is a group of fish that gather together for social purposes. They do so in a school to travel in the same way. One-quarter of all fish shoal their entire lives, and the molly is one of them. They shoal in large numbers, with a male-to-female ratio of about one to two. Mollies are top feeders that use their upturned mouths to feed on oxygen-rich surface water layers. As a result, they are tolerant and can survive in oxygen-depleted environments. Mollies, while gentle, are nevertheless active swimmers. Male mollies can be hostile at times, and they are known to aggressively chase females. Adult mollies frequently prey on young mollies since they do not give parental care to their offspring. Mollies are diurnal, which means they are awake during the day and asleep at night. They are good community fish, with males establishing hierarchies.

Molly Fish Types

Molly fish have a wide range of characteristics, making them a popular choice for tropical freshwater aquariums. They are a livebearer species that requires a large tank with temperature-controlled water to avoid abrupt and extreme temperature changes. 

The Following are the Most Frequent Types of Molly Fish:

1. Black Molly Fish

The common Black Molly Fish, which has black scales, is a normally docile fish that works well in a communal aquarium if given adequate space and a planted tank. If kept in a community aquarium, consider tank mates that are the same size as the black molly and have similar personality features. Black mollies are omnivorous, and they have a voracious appetite. The black molly, like all mollies, enjoys grazing on plants and algae that grows on plants in its tank.

2. White Molly Fish

The White or Silver Sailfin Molly is an aquarium variety of hybrid molly with silvery scales and stunningly long fins. Females of this breed grow larger and weigh more than males. Males, on the other hand, have orange patterns on their dorsal region and bodies, as well as turquoise markings on their caudal fins.

3. Balloon Molly Fish

Balloon mollies, so named because of their balloon-shaped bodies (arched back and rounded belly), should be kept with fish that have similar temperaments. They come in yellow, white, and black colour schemes and have a lyre-shaped caudal fin. They demand meaty feeds as well as algae and should be kept in a densely planted aquarium.

4. Gold Dust Molly

The Gold Dust Molly is a great alternative for individuals who like the Black Molly but want a little more colour in their aquarium. It's a short-finned species with an unusual colour scheme of hazy gold and black. Males are slenderer, while females are fuller and develop a pregnancy spot. This fish prefers a planted aquarium and a diet that includes algae-based flakes, brine shrimp, and freeze-dried bloodworms.

5. Marble Lyretail Molly

This lovely black and white fish is a subspecies of the Lyretail Molly. Plenty of swimming areas should be allowed to ensure that the male molly's tall dorsal fin develops normally. A minimum of one teaspoon per gallon of water should be supplied for optimal health. Because of the salt, this should only be kept with fish that can accept salt in their water.

Molly Habitat

Mollies are primarily found in the wild in North and South America. However, they have been implemented in countries such as Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Israel, and even areas of Eastern Europe in recent decades. Molly fish prefer shallow surface waters to live in. They are typically found in loosely vegetated coastal streams in the wild. However, these fish have been observed to thrive in lakes, estuaries, deltas, swamps, ponds, marshes, and even ephemeral habitats such as roadside ditches. To avoid predators, they prefer to hide under floating plants or near structures. They prefer water with a pH of 7.5 to 8.5 and a temperature of 64 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mollies of various varieties can be found in a variety of habitats. The common molly, for example, is distributed throughout Mexico and northern South America. The sailfin molly can be found along the Gulf of Mexico and the United States southeastern coast. The Mexican molly is found largely in the coastal Yucatan region of southeastern Mexico.

Diet

It's a little more difficult to feed omnivorous fish because there's a lot more to balance. In the wild, this species mostly feeds on invertebrates, as well as plants and algae. This makes keeping their food in the tank simply because it is not difficult to replicate this diet in captivity. They can be considered tank cleaners because they consume algae.

Reproduction and Lifespan

Male mollies deposit sperm into female mollies using gonopodiums, which are specialised anal fins. Female fish are internally fertilised and can retain sperm for several months at a time. This adaptation is intended to keep populations strong even when male mollies are scared away from the group. Molly fish are prolific breeders with 28-day gestation periods and generally have 50 to 100 live fry every month. However, depending on the temperature of the water, gestation times may vary. Females can produce live fry every 30 to 40 days or so, and females account for 70% of molly fry. Male mollies constantly chase female mollies, and it is less stressful for females if at least 2 males are kept in aquariums for every one female. Mollies are livebearers, which means that instead of laying eggs, they give birth to live fish.

Because young mollies reach sexual maturity at such a young age, their populations can grow quickly. Molly fish typically live for around a year following sexual maturity in the wild. However, in aquariums, these fish can survive for an average of three years, with some living for as long as five. Male mollies die at a faster rate, which is partly explained by the fact that they are smaller and hence more vulnerable to predators. They are, however, more susceptible to diseases. Young molly fish must fend for themselves in the wild right away. 

After birth, their parents do not offer any kind of care for them. These fish may hybridise with all other molly fish species, which is why selective breeding of these fish is so popular. The hybridization of molly species throughout the years has resulted in a wide range of colours, patterns, and tail shapes, which is one of the reasons these fish are so popular in aquariums.

Common Diseases 

Mollies, like any other fish, are susceptible to illness. There are a few distinct ailments to be aware of. Molly illness and constipation are two examples. Molly sickness, often known as the "shimmies," should be avoided. It happens when the water's parameters are unstable. Many aquarists discover the sickness when the temperature changes or the ammonia levels rise. The sickness causes the molly fish to be unable to swim normally. Instead, they "shimmy" and wiggle in the same spot. The good news is that most fish recover fast once the conditions are corrected.

Constipation is a difficulty that balloon mollies face. This fish's physical form results in compacted organs. Feeding too much or too quickly might lead to potentially serious constipation, therefore one must monitor their eating patterns. Except for these two issues, mollies will also suffer from common freshwater diseases. Ich, bacterial infections, flukes, and parasites are all possibilities.

Molly Fish Care

Mollies' habitat in the wild might vary greatly. These freshwater fish have a wide range in the wild. While most are found in rivers, they may also swim for brief periods of time in brackish water or even the open ocean. Mollies in general are quite adaptive. They prefer warm water with a neutral pH and hard water. Contrary to popular opinion, salt in the water is not required to keep these fish healthy. They thrive in clean freshwater habitats during their lives. Taking care of molly fish is something that almost everyone can manage. They don't require a lot of effort to maintain health, making them an excellent choice for anyone looking to get started with fish keeping.

Molly Population

There are no precise counts of current molly populations in the wild. This fish, however, is not considered endangered. The population counts of different molly species vary, but the sailfin molly is extremely common in the wild and is not considered endangered. Many mollies are found in the wild, but many more are raised in aquariums. In fact, many molly fish in the world are thought to be several generations away from being released into the wild after being bred in captivity for years. Since these fish are prolific breeders, their populations are unlikely to decline. Of course, environmental changes can have an impact on their ability to reproduce because these fish's gestational period fluctuates depending on factors such as water temperature and salinity.

Molly Predators and Threats

Mollies are not threatened. The Mexican molly, for example, is not on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, but the common molly is Data Deficient. This signifies that there is insufficient data to determine whether the fish should be considered endangered. Most species, however, are thought to have rather large, stable populations in the wild. The sailfin molly has a Least Concern rating, which means it is unlikely to become an endangered species anytime soon.

Larger fish pose the greatest threat to the molly in terms of predators. Because many molly species are fairly small, particularly male mollies. They are easy prey for larger fish like largemouth bass. Fish may be sought after as prey by aquatic birds, aquatic insects, amphibians, reptiles, and even mammals. This is especially relevant because mollies feed on the surface. Although they prefer to hide under foliage and other things, they must emerge to feed, which exposes them to predators.

Other molly fish predators include huge water bugs, American alligators, white egrets, bullfrogs, and raccoons. Mollies are also preying to other mollies on occasion. These fish are not extremely aggressive, however, they are known to fin-nip, which is a typical issue in aquariums. Male mollies are also capable of attacking and eating molly fry, therefore young mollies must be kept separate from males in aquariums.

Facts About Molly Fish

• Male molly fish, which are significantly smaller than female molly fish, have a unique anal fin known as a gonopodium. This rod-shaped apparatus is used to implant sperm in female mollies, which can hold it for long periods of time. Over the years, the deliberate breeding of fish mollys has resulted in a spectacular assortment of colours and patterns. The form of this fish's dorsal and tail fins also varies greatly.

• Hybridized molly fish first appeared in the 1920s and soon gained popularity among aquarium aficionados. Although hybridised mollies are common in laboratory settings, they are rarely encountered in the wild.

• Mollies are shoaling fish rather than schooling fish. This means that, while they travel in groups, they do it for social reasons rather than to travel in specified directions with one another.

• The most common molly fish varieties for aquariums are the common molly, the black molly, the white molly fish, the sailfin molly, and the Mexican molly. These are also the most common species to be found in the wild.
  
  

Conclusion

The molly fish, also known simply as mollies, is a freshwater fish native to Mexico and the southern United States that is hardy and easy to care for. Mollies, which are members of the Poeciliidae family, can be found in freshwater rivers and estuaries, as well as on rare occasions in seawater. They have an exotic appearance and will offer variety and diversity to your tank. The molly fish is highly popular in the aquarium sector due to its ease of care, and it is closely related to the guppy. There is surely plenty of variety to work with when it comes to molly fish. Some mollies can become used to salt water, while others require a small amount of salt for optimal health. Most molly fish is placid, and you should consider their individual needs while keeping them with other fish, especially fin-nippers because many molly species have lengthy fins. They also need ample tank room to swim and grow all of their lovely patterns and fins.