Black Molly Care Guide
The Black Molly is a solid-black, short-finned colour form of Poecilia sphenops, a hardy livebearer that needs hard, alkaline water.
Overview
The Black Molly is a selectively bred, solid-black colour form of the short-finned molly, Poecilia sphenops. It is one of several ornamental varieties of the species, which also include gold, silver, lyretail and dalmatian forms. As a livebearer of the family Poeciliidae, it is bred in large numbers for the aquarium trade. Modern captive stock can show reduced vigour attributed to inbreeding.
Taxonomy
- Family: Poeciliidae
- Genus: Poecilia
- Scientific name: Poecilia sphenops var. Black
- Notes: ichthyologist Eugene K. Balon linked the origin of black mollies to crossing P. sphenops with the sailfin molly P. latipinna
Habitat
Poecilia sphenops occurs naturally on both the Atlantic and Pacific slopes of Mexico and the northern parts of Central America, ranging through Guatemala and Honduras, with introduced populations elsewhere. It inhabits freshwater and brackish environments including rivers, ponds, lagoons, ditches and creeks, often in shallow water under one metre deep over substrates of marl, clay, silt or bedrock. The wild species shows wide temperature tolerance once acclimatised.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L (about 26 gal)
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 7.5-8.5
- GH: 12-30 °dGH
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
The species requires moderately hard or harder water with a basic pH and tends to weaken in soft or acidic conditions.
Diet
Poecilia sphenops is an omnivore. In the wild it browses filamentous algae, filters phytoplankton, and consumes rotifers, crustaceans, protozoa and insect larvae, or feeds on detritus depending on the habitat. In the aquarium it accepts most foods, and vegetable matter such as blanched spinach or vegetable-based flakes should make up a significant part of the diet.
Compatibility
Mollies are peaceful but are only suited to companions that also tolerate hard, alkaline water, which makes them unsuitable for a general soft-water community. Suitable tankmates include other Poecilia, rainbowfish and hard-water-tolerant barbs or tetras. Mixing with the sailfin molly Poecilia latipinna should be avoided to prevent interbreeding.
Breeding
The Black Molly is a livebearer. Gestation lasts roughly one to two months and can produce large broods, with reports of up to 120-150 young. Reproduction occurs readily when both sexes are present, and keeping more females than males reduces harassment. Males are smaller, more colourful and possess a gonopodium. The fry are relatively large and accept newly hatched brine shrimp or powdered flake from birth; dense planting helps fry survive.