Molly size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 8 cm. Record sizes among the 5 Poecilia species on LumaReef: 2 cm (Endler's livebearer) to 15 cm (Sailfin molly).

Molly tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 90 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Standard tank or larger.

Molly water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 23–28 °C, pH 7.5–8.5, hardness 12–25 °dGH. Close to what most Poecilia on LumaReef need (22–28 °C).

Molly tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 80 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Congo tetra, Dwarf gourami, and Scissortail rasbora.

Molly and plants: is it plant safe?

No, it may eat or uproot plants.

FreshwaterIn the market60 coinsCommon

Molly

Poecilia sphenops

A calm wanderer near the surface, always grazing algae and soft leaves.

The Molly (Poecilia sphenops) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae. It swims in midwater, close to the bottom. Adults grow to about 8 cm. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 90 cm long and water at 23–28 °C.

Size: 8 cm
Smallest tank: 90 cm
Temperature: 23–28 °C
Care: Moderate

In the aquarium

Temperature23–28 °C

pH7.5–8.5

Hardness12–25 °dGH

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Moderate
Water layer: Surface
Group: Happiest in a group of 3 or more
Plants: Eats plants

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litres25 of them
Wide120 cm · 300 litres42 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres92 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres171 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres205 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along80 species

and 56 more species

Caution10 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Not together9 species

Aggressive with peaceful

Water temperatures do not overlap

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Midwater, close to the bottom
Aquarium trade: Very common

Conservation status

Classification

OrderCyprinodontiformes
FamilyPoeciliidae
GenusPoecilia
SpeciesPoecilia sphenops
Described byValenciennes, 1846

In other languages

English: Common Molly
German: Spitzmaulkärpfling
Spanish: Topote mexicano
Russian: Малоплавниковая моллинезия
Japanese: コクチモーリー
Chinese: 黑花鱂

Quick answers

Molly size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 8 cm. Record sizes among the 5 Poecilia species on LumaReef: 2 cm (Endler's livebearer) to 15 cm (Sailfin molly).
Molly tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 90 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Standard tank or larger.
Molly water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 23–28 °C, pH 7.5–8.5, hardness 12–25 °dGH. Close to what most Poecilia on LumaReef need (22–28 °C).
Molly tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 80 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Congo tetra, Dwarf gourami, and Scissortail rasbora.
Molly: alone or in a group?: Keep at least 3 together.
Molly and plants: is it plant safe?: No, it may eat or uproot plants.