Black Molly

Mollies were first introduced to the hobby in 1899, and different varieties started appearing in the 1920s. These fish are small, only reaching 5 inches, males have large dorsal fins, and wild forms are gray with rows of dark spots. They are trendy in the hobby, and many color and fin varieties have been developed. The Black Molly variety is entirely black and has short fins. To keep these fish in captivity, water pH should be between 7.0 and 7.8, and water temperature should range from 70ºF and 82ºF. The tank should have a gravel substrate, plants, and open areas for swimming. They can be kept in community aquariums with other peaceful fish. However, different molly species shouldn’t be kept together to prevent hybridization. Instead, they should be kept in groups of 3 females and one male. A 20-gallon tank is enough for a single Sailfin Molly; for a group, a larger tank is needed.

These fish are omnivorous. However, they are highly herbivorous, only eating proteins every once in a while. In the wild, they feed mainly on algae and sometimes on rotifers and small crustaceans. In captivity, they can be provided with vegetable-based dried foods, blanched spinach or cucumber, and some brine shrimp or bloodworms every once in a while.

Males have a larger dorsal fin than females. In addition, the Female has an anal fin that is larger and shaped like a fin, while the male has a gonopodium that looks more like a thin tail pointing towards his back fin. 

To breed this species in captivity, the breeding tank, 50 gallons, should have 2 to 3 females per male, the water temperature should be about 79ºF, and it should have many floating plants. They are livebearers, and their gestation takes around two months.

Mollies have a lower resistance to fungus and ich. They are also susceptible to shimmies, which makes them shiver and shave. Adding a teaspoon of aquarium salt to the water helps to prevent these health problems.

This species is native from Carolina to Veracruz. This is, it is native from southern North America to Mexico. However, introduced populations can also be found in many other countries like Columbia, Israel, Japan, and others. It inhabits small creeks, ponds, lakes, marshes, and swamps.

The water in which these fish are packaged differs from the water in the tank. Since these fish are susceptible to water conditions, the acclimation process is critical. This process should never be rushed. Aquarium lights should be off for at least the first 4 hours of the fish in the new tank and not be fed in the first 24h. There are two acclimation methods: Floating Method and the Drip Method. Floating method -  the aquarium lights should be off, and lights in the room should be dim. The bag in which the fish is should be placed on the water's surface to float for about 15 minutes. This allows the water in the bag to adjust to the water in the tank. The bag should then be cut under the knot, and the top edge of the bag should be rolled down one inch. Then ¼ cup of the aquarium water should be added to the bag. This step should be repeated every 4 minutes until the bag is full, then half the water of the bag should be discarded, and the bag should be put to float again, and ¼ cup of the aquarium water should be added to the bag every 4 minutes until the bag is full. Afterward, the Discus can be moved into the aquarium. Drip method – the aquarium lights should be off, and the lights in the room should be dim. The bag in which the fish is should be placed on the water's surface to float for about 15 minutes. This allows the water in the bag to adjust to the water in the tank. Next, the bag contents should be poured into a 1-gallon bucket that has never been cleaned with chemicals. The fish should be enterally submerged. A siphon, using airline tubing, should be set up, and a drip line should run from the main aquarium to the bucket. Several loose knots should be tied in the airline tubing to regulate flow. Sucking the end of the airline tube into the bucket will begin a siphon. The flow should be controlled to 2 to 4 drips per second. Once the water in the buckets doubles, half should be discarded, and the process should be repeated until it doubles again. Afterward, the fish can be moved to the aquarium.

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