Black Molly – Poecilia sphenops

Black Molly – Poecilia sphenops

The Black Molly (Poecilia sphenops) is a peaceful and hardy livebearer known for its jet-black body and graceful movement. This classic tropical fish is perfect for community aquariums and is favored by both beginners and experienced aquarists for its easy care and adaptability.

Black Mollies add striking contrast to planted tanks and thrive in freshwater or lightly brackish environments. They are social, active swimmers that do best in groups and are known to give birth to live young rather than laying eggs.

Features:

• 🐟 Scientific Name: Poecilia sphenops
• 🌎 Origin: Central and South America (tank-bred variant)
• 🌈 Coloration: Solid jet-black body with flowing fins
• 💧 Temperament: Peaceful and social
• 🍽️ Diet: Omnivore – enjoys flakes, pellets, and algae-based foods
• 🪸 Tank Level: All levels

Recommended Tank Parameters:

• Temperature: 74–82°F
• pH: 7.0–8.5
• KH: 10–25 dKH
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
• Environment: Freshwater or lightly brackish; planted tanks preferred

Behavior & Compatibility:
Black Mollies are peaceful community fish that mix well with guppies, platies, swordtails, Corydoras, and tetras. Avoid keeping them with aggressive or fin-nipping fish. Best kept in small groups of 3 or more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Are Black Mollies peaceful?
A: Yes — they’re peaceful and do well in calm community tanks.

Q: How big do Black Mollies get?
A: Adults grow to about 3–4 inches in length.

Q: Can they live in saltwater?
A: They prefer freshwater but tolerate brackish water (a small amount of aquarium salt can be beneficial).

Q: What do they eat?
A: Black Mollies are omnivores — they enjoy algae, flakes, and veggie-rich pellets.

Q: Will they breed in my tank?
A: Yes — like all livebearers, females give birth to live fry when kept with males.