Effective Freshwater Algae Eaters in Tropical Tanks: Silver Molly

EffectiveFreshwater Algae Eaters in Tropical Tanks: Silver Molly – Poecilia sphenops is a species of fish, of the genus Poecilia, known under the common name molly; to differentiate it from its congeners, it's sometimes called short-finned molly or common. They inhabit coastal brackish and fresh water streams and marine waters of Mexico. 

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Effective Freshwater Algae Eaters in Tropical Tanks: Silver Molly

The wild type fish are a flat silvery color, often scattered black all over. The common molly can create fertile hybrids with many Poecilia species the sailfin molly. The male black mollies typically are usually slightly competitive.

Mollies are only American fish, seen especially around the Southern United States and Central America. Three kinds have been kept by aquarists for decades, while many fish in this genus are available in the wild. These really are the Common or Short-finned Molly Poecilia sphenops, the Mexican Sailfin Molly Poecilia velifera, as well as the Sailfin or Topsail Molly Poecilia latipinna , also called Yucatan Molly or the Giant Sailfin.

Molly’s are a popular aquarium fish, and don’t require anything specific. A peaceful community aquarium with at least 2 females ought to be kept to each male, so they aren’t always harassed. Also for precisely the same motive, a tank home both male and female Molly’s would ideally contain plants so the females can get out of the manner of the male.

Maintenance

A planted tank is preferable but this species must be preserved with a basic pH, in reasonably hard or harder water. When kept in acidic or soft water, the fish weakens fairly rapidly, often indicated by shimmying, fungus, as well as /or clamped fins. Salt is not essential, as it is the “hard” minerals (calcium, magnesium) that are crucial to the long-term well-being of this species.

Feeding

Molly’s ought to be fed one or two times a day. It is very important not to over-feed your Molly. All food should be consumed after just a couple of minutes. You can purchase flake food specially made for tropical fish, like the Molly in your fish store. Your Molly will survive on flake food alone, but the live food makes the Molly more well-nourished and healthier. 

Live or frozen Brine Shrimp is a Molly fish food that is popular since Brine Shrimp is extremely easy to create at home. Bloodworms, Micro Worms, Fruit Flies, Mosquito larvae, Daphnia and chopped up Earthworms are other examples of acceptable food for your Molly.

Biology

Contrary to popular belief, this species of fish is actually a freshwater species, spending little time in brackish water before swimming back to their freshwater biotope.[citation needed] However, fish of exactly the same species have been seen in coastal sea waters, brackish swamps and freshwater streams, living and reproduction. Mollies appear to be a hardy and highly adaptable species (this has been diluted over years of interbreeding in tank-bred specimens).

Habitat: Distribution / Backdrop

Short or the Common -finned Molly Poecilia sphenops was described by Valenciennes in 1846.

Reproduction

Really simple in the event the correct water conditions are provided. Copies in standard livebearer fashion. As with other species the males might be somewhat incessant in their pursuit of females so we urge that several females ought to be kept to each male to be able to dissipate this. Areas of dense planting will also help. Gestation takes approximately 8 weeks and large broods of up to 120 fry are not uncommon.

So the most effective way of lifting them is to remove the gravid female to a separate tank and permit her to give birth there before returning her to the chief aquarium, the mature fish will predate on the young. The use of mating nets or snares is not advocated as their small size is not appropriate for raising fry. The fry certainly will accept brine shrimp nauplii or powdered flake from childbirth and are quite big.

Added Information

These fish are definitely one of the very famous in the hobby. They come in an enormous assortment of coloured forms. Many fish stores recommend these fish as fish owners that are fit for first time. They would probably die, and are easy to look after, but will generally fight with a cycling tank, so until the cycle has been completed, they really should not be added to a tank.