| Mollies 
Black Molly (female at front), Photo By: Mikael Gullberg Mollies originate from central and northeast south america, with their range extending into north america and the west indies. They are available in a vast array of tank bred forms, although there are also quite a number of naturally occuring species, the most commonly seen species being the green sailfin molly. Males have a gonopodium and are usually smaller and slimmer than the females. These fish require a steady temperature of 23-26°C, they are well suited to a well planted community tank, where groups of one male to two or three females will breed quite happily. Avoid an excess of male's as squabbles may result. All varieties of mollies are livebearers meaning internal fertilization, and subsequent development of the eggs occours inside the body of the female fish. Internal fertilisation is acheived by the male fish transferring milt to the female by way of his gonopodium (see Fish Anatomy & Spawning Methods). 
Male Marbled Sailfin Molly Photo By: Nathan Sudell Mollies are quite hardy fish, they will do well in most types of water although water that is very soft or very hard must be avoided. They can adapt to the salinity of water from freshwater through brackish to saltwater. Mollies are often kept in new saltwater aquaria in order to cycle the tank before rare or expensive fishes are introduced. However, any change in salinity must be carried out gradually in order for the fish to become accustomed to the increased salinity. Most mollies (in paticular Sailfin Mollies) kept in freshwater tanks appear to benefit from the addition of a little aquarium or marine salt (0.2.5 - 0.5gm per gallon, quarter - half a teaspoon). Breeding and subsequent rearing of the fry should follow the same guidelines as set out for Guppies. However I have found newborn molly fry can be susceptible to protozoan. On odd occasions mollies can give birth to a few unformed fry, these appear as large white eggs and should be disposed of (assuming you have no egg laying species, or they occour at the same time as free swimming fry are discovered). Mollies do have a slightly different breeding table to Guppies. Black Mollies give birth to 20-60 fry, time between mating and birth, 40-70 days. Sailfin Mollies give birth to 20-80 fry, time between mating to birth, 20-80 days. Velifera Mollies give birth to 30-200 fry, time between mating and birth, 60-70 days. Back to Breeding Basics | 
