Scientific Name
Poecilia sphenops

Common Name
Molly

Biology
Feeds on worms, crustaceans, insects, plant matter. The black variety (Black molly) is a very popular aquarium fish and is marketed throughout the world (Ref. 1739). In the aquarium it feeds on green algae and also readily accepts dried food (Ref. 1672). Minimum aquarium size 60 cm (Ref. 51539).

Classification

Classified By

Valenciennes, 1846

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Live bearers, Killifishes and Rivulines (Cyprinodontiformes)

Family

Poeciliids (Poeciliidae)

Distribution

Region

Central and South America

Distribution

Central and South America: Mexico to Colombia. Often confused with Poecilia mexicana (Ref. 1739).

Range

24°N - 1°S, 101°W - 69°W

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

18 °C

Water Temperature To

28 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; ; pH range: 7.5 - 8.2; dH range: 11 - 30 benthopelagic; non-migratory

Trophic Level

2.95 s.e. 0.34 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

6.0 cm

Common Length

4.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: highly commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (19 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status