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Poecilia sphenops

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Species of livebearer fish

Molly
Male molly
Conservation status

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cyprinodontiformes
Family: Poeciliidae
Genus: Poecilia
Species: P. sphenops
Binomial name
Poecilia sphenops
(Valenciennes, 1846)
Synonyms
  • Mollienisia sphenops (Valenciennes, 1846)
  • Poecilia thermalis Steindachner, 1863
  • Gambusia modesta Troschel, 1865
  • Gambusia plumbea Troschel, 1865
  • Poecilia chisoyensis Günther, 1866
  • Poecilia dovii Günther, 1866
  • Poecilia spilurus Günther, 1866
  • Platypoecilus mentalis Gill, 1877
  • Poecilia boucardii Steindachner, 1878
  • Platypoecilus nelsoni Meek, 1904
  • Platypoecilus tropicus Meek, 1907
  • Poecilia tenuis Meek, 1907
  • Poecilia spilonota Regan, 1908
  • Poecilia caudata Meek, 1909
  • Mollienesia macrura Hubbs, 1935
  • Mollienesia vantynei Hubbs, 1935
  • Mollienesia altissima Hubbs, 1936
  • Mollienesia pallida de Buen, 1943
  • Lembesseia parvianalis Fowler, 1949

Poecilia sphenops, called the molly or Mexican molly, is a poeciliid fish inhabiting freshwater streams and coastal brackish waters from Mexico to El Salvador and Honduras to Colombia. The wild-type fishes are dull, silvery in color. The molly can produce fertile hybrids with many Poecilia species, most importantly the sailfin molly. The male mollies generally tend to be mildly aggressive. They have a minimum lethal external temperature of 10.8–11.8°C, and a maximum lethal external temperature of 38.8–39.5°C when acclimated in a range of 20–35°C.

Poecilia sphenops can grow to 7.5 cm (3.0 in) standard length.

Gallery

  • A neon orange molly A neon orange molly
  • A female black molly A female black molly
  • A female spotted molly, 4 years old A female spotted molly, 4 years old

References

  1. ^ Matamoros, W.A. (2019). "Poecilia sphenops". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T191753A2002434. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T191753A2002434.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Poecilia sphenops". FishBase. June 2024 version.
  3. Hernández-Rodríguez, Mónica; Bückle-Ramirez, L. Fernando (2010). "Preference, tolerance and resistance responses of Poecilia sphenops Valenciennes, 1846 (Pisces: Poeciliidae) to thermal fluctuations". Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research. 38 (3): 427–437. doi:10.3856/vol38-issue3-fulltext-7. ISSN 0718-560X.

Further reading

  • "Mollies Fish" Detailed information on raising the Molly fish. January 2022 version
Taxon identifiers
Poecilia sphenops


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