Black Molly
Black Molly
Black Molly (Poecilia sphenops) is a classic, all-black livebearer with a velvety jet-black body and fins. Hardy, active, and peaceful, it adds strong contrast to a tank full of brightly colored fish. Mollies are native to fresh and brackish waters of Mexico and Central America; this color form is farm-raised.
⚠ Hard Water Required: Mollies do poorly in soft, acidic water. Keep pH 7.5–8.5 and GH 15+ dGH; a little aquarium salt helps. Soft water often causes the slow side-to-side "shimmy."
Keep more females than males so males do not harass a single female. Females give birth to live fry every 4–6 weeks; dense plants give the young places to hide.
Black Mollies get along with platies, swordtails, larger tetras, rainbowfish, and other peaceful community fish that share their preference for harder water.
Feeding & Care Tip: Feed Sera Vipan Tropical Flakes as the daily staple with Hikari Mini Algae Wafers for plant matter, and add Hikari Frozen Baby Brine Shrimp or Hikari Frozen Daphnia a few times a week.
Care & Ideal Parameters
| Difficulty | Easy (with hard water) |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Adult Size | 3–4 in (8–10 cm) |
| Group Size | 1 male : 2–3 females |
| Minimum Tank Size | 20 gallons |
| Ideal Temperature | 75–82°F (24–28°C) |
| Ideal pH | 7.5–8.5 |
| Ideal GH | 15–25 dGH |
| Staple Food | Sera Vipan Tropical Flakes + Hikari Mini Algae Wafers |
| Treat / Supplement | Hikari Frozen Baby Brine Shrimp, Daphnia |
| Origin | Farm-raised (species native to Mexico & Central America) |
| Notes | Livebearer — fry every 4–6 weeks. Hard water prevents "shimmy." Grazes on algae. |
