Orange Balloon Molly

General information

Mollies are very popular in the hobby and as such many different color and shape varieties have been developed through selective breeding. The balloon variety is a shape variety in which fish are rounder and shorter, this results in digestive problems and a shorter lifespan. To keep these fish in captivity, water temperature should range from 70ºF to 79ºF and water pH should be between 7.0 and 8.5. The tank should have open areas for swimming, plants and a gravel substrate. They can be kept in community aquariums with similarly sized fish, other molly species and smaller fish should be avoided as tankmates. Male Mollies can become very aggressive towards their own so they should be kept in groups of 3 females to one male.

These fish are herbivorous. In captivity they should be fed with algae, blanches lettuce, blanched spinach and vegetable based flakes.

Females are larger than males.

To breed this species in captivity, the breeding tank, 20 gallons or more, should have water temperature around 79ºF and 3 females to one male. They are livebearers and gestation takes about 2 months. Once the fry are born, adults should be removed since they may eat the young.

Balloon Mollies are a result of years of inbreeding as such they have a very fragile health and are extremely vulnerable to diseases.

This species can be found in from North to South America. However, they have been introduced in many other countries like Japan, Israel and Tawain.