Black Molly

 Genus name: Poecilia Hybrid

Distribution:  Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico

Length:  up to 4" (10cm)

Water Temperature: 77-83F (25-28C)

Diet: Worms, insects, crustaceans, plant matter, dried food

Water: medium hard and slightly alkaline

Breeding:  Livebearers

Community Tank

The Black Molly is a very popular aquarium fish, and is very easy to breed in an aquarium.  The male Black Molly has an enormous dorsal fin, which can be up to 0.8" (2cm) tall, with a rather angular, only slightly rounded shape.  The male is an intense black colour, while the female Black Molly can vary in colour.

Black Mollies are livebearers, the period of gestation is anywhere from 40 to 70 days.  The female will produce a brood of 20 to 60 live young, sometimes even more.  To allow the young Black Molly a chance to survive, it good to give them plenty of plants to hide in, until they get big enough to not get eaten.

If you wish to breed Black Mollies, it is advisable to keep two or three females to each male, as this gives the female some respite from the advance of the male Black Molly.

Black Mollies are easy-going, and do well in community tanks.  Give them plenty of plants, as well as sufficient open water for them to swim in.  Black Mollies are prone to disease, so watch carefully and treat them as soon as any sign of disease shows. 

For more information on Black Mollies and other livebearers: