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Fish

Mollies (Poecilia)

Poecilia sp. 'Black Gold Dust Molly'

   The Black Gold Dust Molly, is an aquarium strain of hybrid mollies. Parental species include Poecilia latipinna (click here for information about this species), Poecilia sphenops and possibly other molly species (click here for information about mollies). The lack of a species name here indicates that this fish is a hybrid of unknown origin within the genus Poecilia and not a natural species.  This molly is primarily of P. sphenops or P. mexicana heritage and, therefore, has males with relatively small dorsal fins and small body size relative to the females. The top photo is a mature male with a larger than normal dorsal. The bottom picture is a mature female. She is about twice as large as the male pictured.

Size: Males reach 5cm (2 in.). Females grow much larger, 12.5cm (5 in.) and much heavier.

Environment: This fish tolerates pHs from 6.5 to 8.0 while preferring the higher end (basic) of this range. Water hardness is not critical, but it prefers hard water. Optimum temperature ranges from 20-30°C (68-85°F).

Geographic Range: This fish has no natural range since it is a hybrid among species that range from the Carolinas to Central America.

Temperament: This fish is not aggressive (although males can be quarrelsome among themselves) and is active. It can be kept either in a large single species aquarium or in active community aquaria with rainbowfish, other livebearers or other fish with similar behavior and requirements.

Feeding: Feeding is simple with the fish taking prepared foods as well as live and frozen foods. Periodic feedings of Daphnia or other live foods are helpful in color maintenance, general health and breeding. This species also requires vegetable material in its diet that can be supplied by feeding a commercial food or by providing algae, lettuce, cucumbers or fine leaved aquatic plants (Lemna, duckweed, is a good food).

Spawning: This livebearer breeds like other members of its genus. At 30°C (85°F), broods are delivered about every 28 days. Broods can be as large as 200 fry for large females. Like other Poeciliidae, the females of this species can store sperm and have as many as 8 broods from a single mating. The fry are large and can eat commercial food, Daphnia, brine shrimp nauplii, etc. immediately. The adults tend to be fry eaters, so the fry should be removed from the adults as soon as possible.

Additional Information: For more information about this species, click on one of the following article names:
     The Livebearer Column - Mollies by Dwight Moody

Additional Photos: None at present.

Page last modified May 16, 2007.

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