Are you looking to introduce a new addition to your underwater paradise? Mollies are one of the most beloved fish in home aquariums, as these different types of Mollies Fish have beautiful coloring and peaceful dispositions.
Whether you’re just starting with fish tanks or looking for something different, mollies make an excellent choice – there is no shortage of stunning molly varieties available!
In this mollies fish types ultimate guide, we’ll be exploring 15 of the most popular types of mollies tropical fish that can bring beauty and personality into any tank.
We will go over ALL kinds of molly fish, AND their unique characteristics and discuss what kind of maintenance each variety needs so that you choose the best option for your aquarium!
What Are the Different Types of Molly Fish?
Molly Fish, scientifically known as Poecilia sphenops, is a species of freshwater fish classified in the family Poeciliidae.
Molly fish all types are native to fresh and brackish waters of North and South America, including rivers and creeks of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
One of the most amazing types of molly fishes is the Sail fin Molly. This type is an active swimmer that can grow up to 8 inches long when mature.
It has an attractive orange color with black spots along its tall dorsal fin and tail for added beauty.
Another popular type is the Giant Sailfin Molly “Poecilia latipinna,” which grows even larger than its smaller cousin – up to 12 inches long!
The Black Lyretail Molly fish is another common variety that sports a stunning silver-black coloration with a striking white lyre-shaped marking along its tail fin.
Known for being hardy and undemanding, it makes an excellent choice for novice aquarists looking to add some life into their tank without too much fuss or maintenance.
Lastly, there’s also the shortfin molly fish which stands out due to its unique color patterning – translucent brown speckling against dark green scales all over its body
Anal fin SHAPE: As well as its small fin size compared to other mollies varieties making it less likely they will get damaged during tank cleanings or startle other tank mates in your aquarium community by nipping at their fins or tails.
A peaceful community fish that fits right in with many different aquatic environments, mollies provide anyone who gets them plenty of benefits, such as adding lively coloration to any pet tank display while remaining easy enough for first-time aquarists to take care of!
Molly Fish Species and their Classification
How many types of molly fish are there? Most people generally think that most mollies belong to only one species, but there are over 40 molly fish varieties today. The most common molluscs have three categories: A list of Freshwater Species, a List of Brackish Water Species, and a List of Marine Species.
TOP 15 Most Popular Types of Mollies Fish
It’s said that the genus varies between 40 and 39 molly fish species. Below are the most famous ones. If you want anything less prominent, some digging may be required (as they may not be at your local fish store).
Dalmatian Molly Fish
The Dalmation Molly combines a black/white color with a beautiful molly scale and is a fascinating breed. The Black Molly grows quite large and can average about five inches. It requires large tanks that can be used as a pool or sandbox, clean water, and thriving plants. As you would for most Mollies, you should have an efficient water heater and filter installed to maintain the correct temperature.
Black Molly Fish
They’re grown on farms in Singapore. They are velvety black and have gold and silver patches, but these are rarer than others. It took about 30 gallons to fill it. It contains Flakes, aquarium salt, shrimp, algae, freeze-dried bloodworms, and Tubifex.
Black Mollies
These mollies are covered in black. There might be yellow/orange dots around the fin, and most body parts are black.
Common Black Molly Fish
Common Black Molly Quick stats: With black-tone scales, the commonly observed black mobs are typically quiet and can easily fit into the community aquarium. If you live near a local aquarium, choose a suitable tankmate who shares the characteristics of a black molly. It is typical for black mollusks – mollusks to consume algae-based food such as saltwater shrimp and freeze-dried bloodworms. Every mole loves living plants in its aquariums, but the Black Molly is no exception.
Marble Lyretail Molly
Marble lyretail Mollies Quick statistics: Its black and white color resembles Lyretail Mollies. For the marbled mollies’ long legs to develop correctly, ample room should be available for swimming. Optimal health requires at least 1 cup of water per gallon. Because it possesses salt, the fish is best confined to the same fish that tolerates it.
Balloon Belly Molly Fish
Balloon molly’s body has a balloon-shaped belly and a round belly. The lyres are available in yellow, white, and black colors and have a caudal fin. It requires meaty foods and algae and should reside inside an enclosed aquarium.
Sailfin Molly
The sailfish Molly fish are an essential group of natural molly fish. Many other subspecies of this species were raised for aquarium purposes. Sail-fin molls are found in several color schemes and are easily identifiable by their long dorsal fins that appear like sailboats. Like all freshwater sailfish, mollies are relatively easy to keep with a water level.
The aquarium should have large vegetated areas containing living plant life and sufficient space for a swim. Ideally, 50 percent of tank water must be changed every week. Mollies fish are active breeding, and although they can be stocked with other types of Mollies, they may crossbreed.
Gold Dust Molly
Quick stats – the Gold Dust Molly is an ideal alternative for people wishing to have more color in the aqua. The short-finned varieties have attractive shades of dusty gold and black. The males of this species are slimmer, and females are larger and have pregnancy spots. Suitable habitats can provide these molly fish breeds with food, including algae-based flakes, brine shrimp, and frozen bloodworms in the water.
Black Sailfin Molly
Sail fin Molly fish. Quick stat: Sailfish mollies have amazingly flowing fins but are not suitable for fin-nippers because of their large size. Also, choose the right partner carefully for your safety. The animals are easily raised and cared for, which makes them very popular for beginners. However, the requirement for storage is met: a large reservoir with adequate water temperature and oxygen-packed water. This problem can be solved by bringing live plants to aquariums or using filters for heating.
Dalmatian Lyretail Molly
The Dalmatian Lyretail Molly is a color variation of the Sea-Sailing Molly and is shaped in a white-black scale giving textured results. The Molly strain is beginner-friendly, with a maximum length of 3 inches. Typically, they have an omnivorous diet, consuming flakes, frozen, or fried foods. Like any other fish, you can ensure that female molly fish outnumber males from 1-2 to 1. Generally, the molly species are planted in aquariums and require good water conditions.
Golden Sailfin Molly
Golden Sailfish Molly is found in most community aquariums in hard water. This is larger than the average Molly, which requires lots of space in its aquarium. It’s preferred for these animals to a heavily-built aquarium, where they may eat soft algae growing in the soil that is growing in this species. Gold sailfin mollies have been categorized as omnivores, but their eatables should be high in vegetable materials.
Dalmation Mollies
Popular at fisheries, the Dalmation mollies are coated in White. A black speck decorates the body, which resembles Dalmation dogs. The restore, balloons, and sailboats generally sell dalmation mollies!
Gold Doubloon Molly
This short-finned Molly variety is a perfect substitute for Harlequin sails and impresses with a dorsal slant. It is designed to create stunning contrasts with its black and gold color schemes making it a fun addition to a community tank. Like the most common moll, this species also needs ample storage, cultivated crops, and a great mix of vegetable food.
Black Lyretail Molly
The Black Lyretail Molly fish is A hybrid of the Sailfish moly; the Black Lyretail Molly features black scales and white highlights on its lyres and caudal fin. Despite the peaceful nature of the fish, they are primarily community-friendly and should be kept close to fish of similar size and capable of surviving identical water conditions. The fish are greedy and have high waste production, so a good filtering system should be necessary.
Harlequin Sailfin Molly
During scuba diving, Harlequin sailfin mollies body has gold, white spots. Besides their stunning color and distinctive appearance, their temperament suits community aquariums. It grows slightly bigger than a normal molly fish and feeds on various foods. Unless properly treated, these animals will only be willing to graze aquarium plants.
Platinum Lyretail Molly
The hybrid Platinum Lyretail Mollies feature a platinum and gold body. It is suitable for saltwater or freshwater aquariums. When stored in freshwater tanks, one pound of salt a gallon will help maintain optimal health.
Mollies Fish Types Variations by Color
No matter the size or color of all these molly types, they can significantly add to an aquarium. Some variations are common to particular species, and here are the popular colors:
- Black Molly (Dalmatian Mollies, Lyretail Molly)
- White Molly (Balloon molly, Dingy Sailfin Molly)
- Silver Molly (Silver Sailfin Molly, Silver Lyretail Molly)
- Gold Molly (Gold Sailfin Molly, Gold Doubloon Molly)
- Platinum Lyretail Molly
- Yucatan molly fish
No matter what type of molly fish you choose, providing them with the right environment and diet for their color is essential to keep your schooling fish healthy.
Proper water temperature and quality and the correct ratio of females to males are essential in keeping mollies healthy.
Additionally, ensure to feed your high-quality molly foods, such as flakes and frozen foods, to keep them full of energy.
You may want to include some live food items or supplements to ensure that your Molly gets all the nutrients it needs.
With proper care and a healthy diet, mollies can live for up to five years and provide many hours of enjoyment for the aquarist.
So, whether you’re looking for a showstopper in your tank or adding a few mollies, the many colors and types available will surely bring you and your fish years of joy.
How Many Mollies Should You Keep Together?
Regarding Mollies, keeping a balanced ratio of females to males is critical. For every male Molly in the tank, two or three female Mollies should also be present – this ensures enough companionship and relieves relentless courting!
It’s also important to remember that Mollies are social creatures and do best in groups. Aim for at least five mollies, although larger groups (up to 10) will generally do better.
Finally, ensure that the tank is big enough for your mollies – at least 10 gallons per three Mollies is recommended.
What Fish Can Live with Mollies?
Mollies are generally peaceful fish that can live with other aquarium inhabitants as long as they aren’t too small or boisterous.
They can do well with other small and peaceful fish, such as Corydoras catfish, tetras, guppies, and platies. Avoid aggressive fish such as cichlids and Oscars, as they may attack or harass the smaller Mollies.
It’s also important to note that some fish may pick on Mollies due to their peaceful nature, so it’s best to avoid any species that may bully or harass your Mollies.
Finally, suppose you’re looking for a showpiece in your tank. In that case, some of the larger non-aggressive species, such as angelfish, gouramis, and rainbowfish, can add a splash of color to your aquarium while coexisting safely with your Mollies.
With the right combinations of fish and proper tank setup, you can have a beautiful, healthy, and peaceful tank that your Mollies will love!
What Is the Most Common Molly Fish?
The most common molly fish is the black Molly (Dalmatian Molly), native to Central America and the Caribbean Islands.
This variety of mollies features a striking black coloration, with white markings on its fins and tail.
These are brightly colored fish that do well in freshwater tanks, provided that the water is kept at a neutral pH and the temperature is kept between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
They are known for their peaceful nature and generally do well with other species of fish as long as they are not overly aggressive.
In addition to being popular in the aquarium hobby, black molly fish are also used in laboratory studies due to their hardiness and adaptability.
Overall, the black Molly is an excellent choice for beginner aquarists looking for a beautiful and peaceful species to add to their tank. They can live up to five years or more with the proper care and provide you with many hours of enjoyment!
Are Black Mollies Rare?
Black mollies are not particularly rare molly fish colors, but they can be harder to find than other, more colorful varieties.
This is because Poecilia sphenops are known to breed easily and quickly, producing many offspring that have all sorts of color variations.
The lack of rarity does not mean that these particular mollies should be taken for granted. These hardy fish are a great addition to any tank and will thrive in the right environment.
If you’re looking for something unique, there are also wide other colorful varieties of mollies you can choose from, such as dalmatian, calico, red, gold dust, etc.
What Is the Smallest Molly Fish?
The smallest molly fish is The Common Molly (Poecilia sphenops), native to Mexico and Central America. This species typically reaches a maximum size of 2 inches, making it an ideal choice for smaller aquariums.
The Common Molly is a hardy pet fish that does well in freshwater tanks with temperatures between 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit and pH levels between 6.6-7.6. They tend to be peaceful and can coexist with other species as long as they are not overly aggressive.
Common mollies come in various colors, including black, red, yellow, orange, and white. They also can hybridize easily with other varieties, which makes them exciting fish to watch and observe in the tank.
How Do I Identify a Molly Fish?
Mollies are live-bearing fish easily identified by their bright colors and long, flowing fins. The most common Molly is the black Molly (Dalmatian Molly), which features a striking black body with white markings on its fins and tail.
Other varieties of mollies come in various colors, such as red, orange, yellow, and even blue. all types of mollies have a similar body shape with an oval-shaped head, long dorsal fin, and flowing tail fin.
In addition to the colors and fins, mollies can also be identified by their peaceful nature. These fish tend to coexist peacefully with other species in the tank and will not bother any other inhabitants.
Conclusion
Which of these different types of Mollies tropical fish is your favorite? These creatures are so other, but each has something unique to offer. No matter which molly fish types you choose in the end, be sure to do your research so that your fish will have everything it needs to thrive in your care. With some knowledge and preparation, you can provide a molly with a long and healthy life.
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