Molly

Poecilia

Last updated: April 6, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© Praisaeng/Shutterstock.com

Known for their calm and peaceful nature!


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Molly Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Actinopterygii
Order
Cyprinodontiformes
Family
Poeciliidae
Genus
Poecilia
Scientific Name
Poecilia

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Molly Conservation Status


Molly Facts

Main Prey
Algae, Insects, Bloodworm
Distinctive Feature
Large-sized fins and bear live young
Optimum pH Level
7.5 - 8.5
Habitat
Rivers in the Amazon Rainforest
Diet
Omnivore
Favorite Food
Algae
Common Name
Molly
Average Clutch Size
80
Slogan
Known for their calm and peaceful nature!

Molly Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Brown
  • Yellow
  • Red
  • Blue
  • Black
  • White
  • Green
  • Orange
Skin Type
Scales
Lifespan
3 - 5 years
Length
5cm - 10cm (2in - 4in)

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There are more than 40 recognized species of the Molly fish, but only a handful of them are popularly kept in aquariums.

First identified by naturalists during the 1820s, molly fish are American fish that are primarily found in the wild in areas of North and South America. Since around 1899, the molly has been a popular fish to keep in freshwater aquariums. All species of molly fish are able to hybridize with one another, so their appearances span many colors, patterns, and configurations. Most species still have large populations in the wild, so this fish is not considered to be endangered. Technically omnivores, they feed primarily on plant materials.

5 Amazing Facts!

  • Male molly fish, who tend to be much smaller than female mollies, have a specialized anal fin called a gonopodium. This rod-shaped organ is used to deposit sperm in female mollies, who can retain it for extended periods of time.
  • The selective breeding of molly fish through the years has produced a dazzling array of colors and patterns. These fish also vary widely in terms of the shape of their dorsal and tail fins.
  • Hybridized versions of molly fish started appearing during the 1920s, and they quickly became popular with aquarium enthusiasts. Although hybridized mollies are abundant in artificial environments, they aren’t typically seen in the wild.
  • Mollies are shoaling fish, not schooling fish, which means that although they tend to travel in groups, they do so more for social purposes than for traveling in specific directions with each other.
  • The most common varieties of molly fish typically available for aquariums are the common molly, the black molly, the white molly, the sailfin molly, and the Mexican molly. These species are also the most abundant to be found naturally in the wild.

Scientific Name

The molly fish belongs to the Poeciliidae family and is part of the Poecilia genus. The term “Poecilia” means “many colored.” It is derived from the Greek word “poikilos,” which means “with a lot of colors.” This reflects the fact that these fish tend to vary considerably in terms of the colors and patterns that they exhibit. Examples of different species of molly fish include:



  • The common, or short-finned, molly, Poecilia sphenops. “Sphenops” means “wedge appearance” and refers to the fact that this species’ fins are stubby and wedge-shaped.
  • The sailfin molly, or topsail molly, Poecilia latipinna. “Latipinna” means “broad fin,” which reflects the fin shape of this particular species.
  • The Mexican sailfin molly, Poecilia velifera. “Velifera” means “sail-bearing,” which refers to the unique sailfin that is found on this species.

Mollies are related to the platy, swordtail, and guppy fish. They have a similar appearance to these cousins, but they are a bit larger and more lively.

Appearance and Behavior

In the wild, the common molly exhibits a dull, silvery color. While their bodies are normally light gray in color, mating males may exhibit more of a greenish-blue color. The sides, backs and dorsal fins of many mollies are dotted with rows of spots. These spots can be so crowded together that they almost become one large pattern.

Most species of molly fish have chunky, thick-set bodies; rounded fins; tall, angular dorsal fins; and pointed heads and mouths. Their upturned mouths are designed to help them to skim the upper layer of the water, which is rich in oxygen. Their tails are convex.

In the wild, mollies can grow to be as large as 20 cm or so in length. However, most molly fish average between 5 to 13 cm in length. Males tend to be smaller than females, and female mollies usually have rounder bodies. One of the biggest distinguishing characteristics of male mollies is their gonopodiums. These are specialized anal fins that double as narrow copulatory organs. Shaped like rods, gonopodiums are used during reproduction to deposit sperm into female mollies.

Unlike many fish, mollies don’t travel in schools; rather, they travel in shoals. In a shoal, multiple fish band together for social reasons. In a school, they do so to travel in the same direction together. Approximately one-quarter of all fish shoal their whole lives, and the molly is one of them. They tend to shoal in the hundreds, and the male-to-female ratio is usually around one to two.

Top feeders, mollies use their upturned mouths to exploit films of oxygen-rich surface water. As a result, they are tolerant and able to survive in oxygen-depleted habitats. Although peaceful, mollies are also active swimmers. Male mollies occasionally exhibit aggressive behavior, and they are known to aggressively pursue females. They provide no parental care to their young, and adult mollies often prey on young mollies.

Mollies are diurnal, which means that they are awake by day and asleep by night. They are good community fish, although males tend to establish hierarchies.

Habitat

American fish, mollies are mostly found in the wild in areas of North and South America. However, over the last few decades, they have been introduced in countries like Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Israel and even parts of Eastern Europe.

Molly fish prefer to live in shallow surface waters. In the wild, they are usually found in loosely vegetated coastal streams. However, these fish are known to do well in lakes, estuaries, deltas, swamps, ponds, marshes and even in ephemeral places like roadside ditches. They prefer to stay under floating vegetation or near structures to stay out of view of predators.

Different species of mollies are found in different places. The common molly, for example, is typically found throughout Mexico down through northern South America. The sailfin molly is found along the Gulf of Mexico and along the southeastern coast of the U.S. The Mexican molly is located in southeastern Mexico and is primarily found in the coastal Yucatan.

Molly Diet

Molly fish are technically omnivores because they not only consume plant materials but are also known to consume crustaceans, insects, and worms. However, their diets overwhelmingly consist of plant materials, so these fish are practically herbivores. Mollies particularly enjoy algae, but they are known to consume vast amounts of other phytoplankton.

Predators and Threats

Mollies are not endangered. The Mexican molly, for example, is not listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and the common molly is listed as Data Deficient. This means that enough data does not exist to determine whether or not the fish should be regarded as endangered. However, it is believed that most species have fairly large, steady populations in the wild. The sailfin molly has a status of Least Concern, which means that it is unlikely to be considered an endangered species any time soon.

In terms of predators, the molly’s biggest threat comes from larger fish. Because many species of molly are quite small – especially male mollies – they tend to be easy pickings for larger fish like largemouth bass. Aquatic birds, aquatic insects, amphibians, reptiles, and even mammals may all seek out the fish as prey. That is especially true because mollies are surface feeders. Although they tend to hide under vegetation and other objects, they must emerge to feed – and that is when they become vulnerable to predators.

Other common predators of the molly fish include giant water bugs, American alligators, snowy egrets, bullfrogs and raccoons.

Additionally, mollies occasionally fall prey to other mollies. These fish are not particularly aggressive, but they are known to fin-nip – a common problem in aquarium settings. Their fry are also vulnerable to being attacked and eaten by male mollies, so young mollies must be kept separate from males in aquariums.

Reproduction, Babies, and Lifespan

Male mollies use specialized anal fins called gonopodiums to deposit sperm into female mollies. Female fish are fertilized internally, and they can store sperm for up to a few months at a time. This adaptation is designed to ensure that populations stay strong even if male mollies are scared away from the group.

Prolific breeders, molly fish have 28-day gestation periods and typically have anywhere from 50 to 100 live fry per period. However, gestation periods may vary depending on water temperatures. Females can produce live fry every 30 to 40 days or so, and 70 percent of the fry tend to be female. Male mollies tend to aggressively pursue female mollies, and it is less taxing for females if at least two are kept for every one male in aquariums. Mollies are live bearers, which means that they give birth to live fish instead of laying eggs.

Young mollies reach sexual maturity at very young ages, so their populations can grow rapidly. In the wild, molly fish tend to live for about a year after reaching sexual maturity. However, in aquariums, these fish may live for an average of three years; it’s not unheard of for some to live for as long as five years. Male mollies have higher mortality rates, which is largely explained by the fact that they are smaller and therefore more susceptible to predators. However, they also tend to be more susceptible to diseases.

Young molly fish immediately must fend for themselves in the wild. Parents do not provide any sort of care for them after birth.

These fish are able to hybridize with all other species of molly fish, which is why selective breeding of these fish is so popular. Hybridization of molly species through the years has resulted in a huge assortment of colors, patterns and tail shapes – another reason that these fish are so popular in aquariums.

Population

The molly populations in the wild are unknown, but not endangered. Population levels of different species of mollies vary, of course. It is known, however, that the sailfin molly is particularly abundant in the wild.

Although many mollies are found in the wild, many others are kept in aquariums. It’s possible that pet molly fish, bred in captivity, are generations away from life in the wild.

Because these fish are prolific breeders, it is unlikely that their populations will dwindle. Nonetheless, environmental changes can affect their ability to breed because the gestational period of these fish varies depending on things like water temperature and salinity.

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Molly FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What kinds of fish can live with mollies?

Ideally, molly fish prefer to live with other mollies. It is best for there to be many females and just a few males to keep the females from becoming overly stressed. Other types of fish that do well with mollies include angel fish, neon tetras, gourami, suckermouth catfish, goldfish, platys, green swordtail fish, guppies, cichlids, southern platyfish and Siamese fighting fish.

How long does a molly fish live for?

The average lifespan of a molly fish is two to five years. In the wild, however, they tend to live for about a year after reaching sexual maturity. Sexual maturity tends to occur at a very young age. These fish breed prolifically and constantly; such fish don’t tend to have extremely long lifespans. Male mollies have shorter lifespans than females mostly because they are much smaller and are therefore more susceptible to predators.

Are mollies aggressive?

Generally speaking, mollies are peaceful fish. However, they are known to occasionally nip each other’s fins. Males can be aggressive toward females due to mating needs, so it is best to keep multiple females with one male. Male mollies are also known to eat young mollies, including recently born fry.

Are mollies carnivores, herbivores or omnivores?

Although their diets are mostly herbaceous, mollies also consume crustaceans and worms and are therefore considered to be omnivores.

Are molly fish endangered?

No, mollies are not classified as being endangered. However, some molly species have much higher populations than others.

What Kingdom do Mollies belong to?

Mollies belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What phylum do Mollies belong to?

Mollies belong to the phylum Chordata.

What class do Mollies belong to?

Mollies belong to the class Actinopterygii.

What family do Mollies belong to?

Mollies belong to the family Poeciliidae.

What order do Mollies belong to?

Mollies belong to the order Cyprinodontiformes.

What genus do Mollies belong to?

Mollies belong to the genus Poecilia.

What type of covering do Mollies have?

Mollies are covered in Scales.

In what type of habitat do Mollies live?

Mollies live in rivers in the Amazon Rainforest.

What are some distinguishing features of Mollies?

Mollies have large-sized fins and bear live young.

What do Mollies eat?

Mollies eat algae, insects, and bloodworms.

What are some predators of Mollies?

Predators of Mollies include large fish, birds, and reptiles.

What is the average clutch size of a Molly?

Mollies typically lay 80 eggs.

What is an interesting fact about Mollies?

Mollies are known for their calm and peaceful nature!

What is the scientific name for the Molly?

The scientific name for the Molly is Poecilia.

What is the optimal pH for a Molly?

The optimal pH for a Molly is between 7.5 and 8.5.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife
  2. Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals
  3. David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia
  4. Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species
  5. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals
  6. Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals

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