Poecilia sphenops (Black Molly)

Freshwater > Fish > Poeciliidae

Poecilia sphenops (Black Molly)

Pics.

Menu

Links

Other

Add

Quick Ref.

Species: Poecilia sphenops

Geo. Location: Mexico to Columbia

PH: 6.5 - 8.5

Temperature: 73 - 80F

Water Hardness: 10 - 25dh

Size: 3.0"

Diet: Frozen/Live foods, flakes, algae

Difficulty: 2

Photo Credit: Andrzej Zabawski

Notes: Poeciliidae sphenops (Valenciennes 1846) more commonly known as the Black Molly is one of the favorites among beginners. Its easiness to breed and to adapt to extreme water conditions makes it a great fish to start. However, a little knowledge is still required to raise and breed this species successfully. In the wild, black mollies are found in the shallow waters of streams, ponds and estuaries of Mexico and Columbia. Black Mollies can live in all three types of water. Fresh and Brackish water seem to be most adapted for this fish but stories show that some hobbyists have successfully kept this small Poeciliidae in a marine environment. As a rule of thumb, one teaspoon of marine salt per liter of water is recommended. Mollies comportment is somewhat peaceful. During the breeding season, males can become more aggressive against each other but they still are great community fish. Optimum condition to keep this species in captivity will include lots of plants (especially if attending to breed them) and large open swimming areas. Black mollies like their water hard and alkaline with a dH included between 10 and 25 and a pH higher than 6.5. If no salt is added to the tank, try to keep the water as hard and alkaline as possible. In the wild, being only 3” long, they are at the bottom of the food chain and are constantly threatened by predators (bigger fish). Poeciliidae sphenops are omnivorous. Their diet is pretty broad, including algae, spinach, frozen and live food as well as flakes. This fish is a great species for any beginners. They are much forgiven regarding water conditions and are a very nice addition to any community tank.

Breeding: Breeding Poeciliidae sphenops is quite an easy task. If you have a pair of this species in your tank, chances are that they already have mate. Indeed, no particular care is required to breed this species. Mollies are livebearers; they give birth to already formed babies. Sexual differentiation can be observed by the prsence of a gonopodium (extension of the anal fin) in the male species. Females are larger than males. When pregnant, their bellies become larger and a gravid spot (dark spot) appears at the base of their anal fin. Male Mollies are usually the ones engaging the breeding process. Once seduced, the female gets injected with sperm by the male’s gonopodium. One fertilization can have the female pregnant for up to 4 to 5 batches. These fish are very productive and a healthy female can give birth every 4 to 5 weeks. The gestation period last for approximately 3 to 4 weeks depending on water temperature. When ready to give birth, the pregnant female usually hides in a corner of the tank. Anywhere between 10 to 100 babies are released. At this point it is recommended putting the babies in a separate tank where they will be away from any other hungry fish. Parental care is inexistent. Babies can be raised with crushed flakes.