Poecilia sphenops, or molly fish, is native to coastal brackish waters from El Salvador, Mexico, Honduras, and Colombia. There are also numerous types of mollies, including Dalmatian, balloon, marble, black molly, and more. FYI, Mollie fish care is categorized as easy. Today, I will give you some tips on caring for a common molly. Let's start!

• Habitat

  Mollyfish ideally live in warm freshwater in the wild, but they can live in water with some salt (brackish water). To care for Mollies, you must ensure their tanks have consistent water conditions. Besides, these are some that you should prepare for your molly tank:

  • Mollyfish requires a large tank to swim comfortably. They are considered active swimmers, so they constantly move around the tank.
  • Plants. While they no longer live in the wild, a plant in the tank can be an ideal hideout. This is because adult mollies often eat their babies. That said, it can increase the survival rate of the babies. 
  • Regular cleaning of algae and debris. To ensure your Molly fish always live healthy, please clean the aquarium once a week.
     

  

• Tankmates

  Mollies are easygoing and peaceful. Besides, they are schooling fish! That said, these fish need another company to maintain their stress-free level. You can choose from numerous tankmates, but I recommend you pick tetras, catfish, barbs, or guppies. Please note that males can be slightly aggressive, especially towards pregnant females.

• Water Temperature

  Slow to moderate water circulation should be provided to mimic the water and high oxygen levels found in Molly's natural habitat. Molly's tank should also be completed with an aquatic heater to stabilize the water temperature and ensure it doesn't fluctuate more than 2 degrees.

  

• Diet

  Another thing to consider when caring for jellyfish is providing them with a well-balanced diet. You can use flakes, freeze-dried or frozen food (thaw them before feeding). Mollies consume moderate amounts of algae and will benefit from adding algae sheets or spirulina. However, remember that depending on species and size, feed a small amount 1-3 times daily.

• Health

  Some signs of a healthy molly include a healthy appetite, clear eyes, bright coloring, and a clean appearance. On the contrary, some signs of red flags in Mollies indicate they aren't in excellent condition. Those include loss of appetite and color, weight loss, bloating, cloudy eyes, frayed fins, and more.

  

Conclusion

Now that you know the tips for caring for mollyfish, I hope your Mollies can get what they deserve. If you see some red flags in your Mollies, don't hesitate to contact your local aquatic veterinarian!