| Mollies are part of the livebearers collection of fish, | | | | change. |
| including Guppies, Platies and Swordtails. They are | | | | The best diet for Mollies includes feeding them |
| very easy to breed and it is fairly easy to | | | | floating flake food and freeze dried bloodworms |
| distinguish the males from the females. | | | | on a daily basis, with a few Black Worms fed |
| Most of the colors of Mollies are a result of | | | | every other day. |
| specialized breeding practices from the people | | | | Keep more female Mollies than male Mollies for |
| who raise them. | | | | the best results. The list of compatible fish is fairly |
| It is recommended that Mollies be placed in | | | | long and Mollies can share the tank with several |
| aquariums containing at least 15 gallons of water, | | | | varieties of fish. The best tank mates include |
| a maximum of ¼ inch of gravel, and a | | | | Platies and Swordtails, Angel Fish, a single |
| heater that keeps the temperature of the water | | | | Plecostomus, Corydoras Catfish, or larger Tetras |
| between 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. As with | | | | including Red Serpaes, Silver Tips and Black Skirts. |
| Guppies and other livebearers, you should put 1 | | | | As with any fish, you will need to have adequate |
| tablespoon of aquarium salt per 5 gallons of water | | | | room in the tank as well as a good filtration |
| to help them survive better in fresh water | | | | system. Proper lighting is also important for the |
| environments. Unique to the Mollies species of fish, | | | | health of your fish. When introducing Mollies to |
| they can actually live quite well in complete salt | | | | your tank, be sure you keep them in the bag |
| water aquariums as well. Since Mollies have this | | | | that you received them and and float that in the |
| flexibility, they are a versatile fish that could be | | | | fish tank for about 20 minutes to let the water |
| compatible in many different aquarium set ups. | | | | temperature slowly match that of the tank. Then |
| Once considered a difficult fish to care for, the | | | | open the bag and mix a small amount of tank |
| Mollies are now being seen as indicator fish as | | | | water in - let that sit for about 5 minutes. Repeat |
| they will be the first fish to provide signs that the | | | | this last step a few times so that your fish can |
| aquarium is unbalanced or the water is | | | | become acclimate to the water in it's new home |
| contaminated. Mollies kept in freshwater tanks | | | | before you release them into the tank. |
| require frequent water changes to remain healthy, | | | | Mollies tend to live an average of 4 or 5 years |
| while Mollies in reef aquariums rarely need a water | | | | and reach a size of 5" in length. |