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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Surtsicna (talk | contribs) at 10:41, 1 September 2024 (This is rather misleading as many if not all of these are hybrids and not just Poecilia sphenops. It needs to be rewritten with clarity - and sources.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Molly
Male molly
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific 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 vetiprovidentiae Fowler, 1950

Poecilia sphenops is a species of fish, of the genus Poecilia, known under the common name molly; to distinguish it from its congeners, it is sometimes called short-finned molly or common molly. They inhabit fresh water streams, coastal brackish, and marine waters from Mexico 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.

Mollies rank as one of the most popular feeder fish due to high growth rate, birth size, reproduction, and brood number.

Biology

Mollies are similar in appearance to their livebearer cousins, the platy, swordtail and guppies; the molly tends to be slightly larger and more energetic. Many aquarists note the stronger individuality and aggression in keeping mollies versus platies, who appear much more docile.

Size

Standard size of male fish is 3.2″ (8 cm) and female fish is 4.8″ (12 cm).

Gallery

• A neon orange molly
• A female black molly
• 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.). "Poeclia sphenops". FishBase. August 2019 version.

• "Poecilia sphenops". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 30 January 2006.
• Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Poecilia sphenops". FishBase. October 2005 version.
• "Mollies Fish" Detailed information on raising the Molly fish. January 2022 version

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• IUCN Red List least concern species
• Poecilia
• Fish described in 1846
• Fish of Mexico
• Euryhaline fish of Nicaragua
• Fish of Lake Nicaragua
• Live-bearing fish
• Ovoviviparous fish
• Taxa named by Achille Valenciennes
• Cyprinodontiformes stubs