Mollies are very striking fish. Their coloration varies depending on the species. Livebearing aquarium inhabitants can be deep black, bright orange, silver, and even leopard-skinned. In the photo, they look stunning against a light green background. The female is always much larger than the male. This is the main distinguishing feature of these interesting fish.
Setting up an aquarium
Purebred, deep-black fish require absolutely clean, hard, and slightly alkaline water. It's recommended to add marble pieces to the aquarium. Coarse salt or sea salt is recommended.
Temperature fluctuations are only 3 degrees – and all the individuals die. It's hard to call these tropical beauties easy to keep and care for. But there are no insurmountable problems with keeping males and females, there's no need to buy a huge ocean aquarium, and these fish are not picky eaters. This is why these rather capricious mollies are popular among beginning aquarists. A tropical black beauty will live for 3-4 years if provided with suitable conditions.
Each individual requires 3 to 5 liters of water. Mollies naturally live in the tropics, so these exotic beauties are heat-loving.
Ideal temperature
They will have to be supported the water temperature in the aquarium is within 25–30 degreesAnd it's important to provide bright lighting, similar to sunlight: the fish loves light. Natural light for at least a couple of hours a day is ideal, but this isn't a requirement.
You won't have to spend days tidying up the aquarium's bottom: this exotic beauty lives in the upper water layer. However, it's best to choose a light-colored substrate.
Of the dense plants, brightly colored ones are best. They are planted to leave some space.- Black mollies prefer pebbles, driftwood, and small picturesque houses on the bottom.
Of the dense plants, brightly colored ones are best. They are planted to leave some space.Fish love secluded spots. They need privacy, and artificial hiding places are a welcome addition.
Content requirements
It is recommended to cover the aquarium from above. A prerequisite is the purity of the water and its oxygen saturation. The latter will have to be done daily using a compressor.
A quarter of the water needs to be changed regularly. If this is not done weekly, Aquarium inhabitants are at risk of toxicosisMollies will become lethargic, vibrate in place, press their fins to their bodies, and sink to the bottom. These signs can be used to distinguish sick individuals from healthy ones. The sick fish should be transferred to an aquarium with salted water. The water temperature in the main aquarium should be increased, and some of the water should be replaced with fresh water to maintain the health of the remaining individuals.
- A general cleaning must be carried out once every six weeks.
- Add only water that has been previously settled and must be salted.
- Add 3 g of salt per liter of liquid.
A general cleaning must be carried out once every six weeks.Fish prefer salted water when kept and cared for in captivity. They get sick less often and feel more comfortable in it. Salt is also an excellent antiseptic.
What to feed fish
Both male and female mollies are not picky about food. However, they prefer bloodworms, either frozen or live, cyclops, or daphnia.
However For normal nutrition fish need Herbal supplements and crushed algae are used to normalize metabolic processes. Therefore, feeding only bloodworms is a sure way to kill all the fish. You can supplement them with small portions of boiled chopped vegetables, shredded lettuce leaves, and dandelion leaves.
To get by Black mollies can go a long time without their favorite treatsBut even the most undemanding aquarium inhabitants shouldn't be left hungry for several weeks. Both hunger and overeating are truly stressful for them, and not all individuals will be able to recover from them.
Content nuances
The fish are distinguished by their peaceful nature and get along well with other speciesBut it's best to keep them in small groups with a predominance of females. Mollies do have one peculiarity: they can change sex. One of the two males in the aquarium eventually becomes a female and spawns. If there aren't enough of their own species, they are crossed with guppies and even swordtails. The hybrids can be quite fascinating.
- You can tell about upcoming breeding by changes in the female's behavior.
- She seeks solitude, hiding under stones and snags.
- The fish's belly becomes noticeably rounded.
You can tell about upcoming breeding by changes in the female's behavior.If these signs appear, the molly should be placed in a small 4-5 liter aquarium with constant 24-hour lighting and regularly changed water.
Fish reproduction
Reproduction beginsWhen the fish is six months old. It's best to wait until then rather than rush things: the fry will be healthier and stronger. A pregnant female molly prefers a densely planted aquarium with salted water heated to 28-30 degrees Celsius. It's important to transfer the female, whose belly is quite large, carefully to avoid causing premature birth and the death of the fry.
Better transplant the "future mother" in a few days Until the expected delivery date. A cage that's too small leads to stress. As a result, labor begins prematurely, and both the fry and even the mother molly die. Livebearing fish do not lay eggs. Viable fry are born.
During the development of the offspring, a period of just over a month, the mother molly is fed generously and with a varied diet. After the fry hatch, the female molly is returned to the main aquarium.
Caring for fry
Small-finned mollies fry 
They are larger in size than the offspring of other live-bearing fish, but is weaker. The young fish cannot immediately reach the middle waters. Special care is required for the fry. The nursery tank requires perfectly clean water without sudden temperature changes. Salt is essential.
Water when keeping babies separately They are changed regularly, and the "fry" are fed daphnia, cyclops, and rotifers ground into flour. After a month, the mature molly fry are separated into pairs and placed in separate aquariums.
Choosing neighbors
Molly fish are peaceful and calm. But if necessary, they can stand up for themselvesUp to 15 individuals are usually kept in a single aquarium at a time. They get along well with each other. When there is a shortage of females, food, and territory, fights between male black mollies (Sphenops mollies) begin.
Preventing rivalry is easy: conditions need to be created For a peaceful life for the fish. The ideal ratio of females to males is 3 to 1. Size will help distinguish between "girls" and "boys." If all conditions are met, but the aggressor remains restless, the latter is removed to a separate tank for a few days, changing the landscape of the original tank during the fish's absence. Upon return to the unfamiliar environment, the previously quarrelsome male molly behaves peacefully.
From the neighbors It is recommended to select individuals of similar sizeTo prevent potential conflicts, black mollies don't get along with certain barb species. An aggressor who constantly attacks these tropical beauties will receive a fitting rebuff. However, the confrontation could result in serious injury or even death for some individuals.
The peaceful nature makes mollies vulnerable to predatory aquarium inhabitantsTherefore, they should not be kept with cichlids. Lyra mollies should not be kept with koi carp, goldfish, crabs, or shrimp.
Exotic beauties when properly maintained, they are playful and activeTheir habits are fascinating to observe. For those looking to try their hand at aquarium breeding, mollies are an excellent choice.
