# Molly (*Poecilia sphenops*) Mollies are friendly fish that come in many colors and shapes! They love to swim around and can be found in schools. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Freshwater lakes and brackish waters - **Also known as:** Mollies, Molly Fish ![Molly](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426367/objects/4742.jpg) ## Appearance The Molly has a torpedo-shaped body with a slightly flattened belly and can come in an incredible variety of colors, from silvery-grey to jet black or spotted patterns. Many species feature distinctively large, fan-like dorsal fins. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Cyprinodontiformes - **Family:** Poeciliidae - **Genus:** Poecilia ## Interesting facts - A single female Molly can give birth to over 100 live babies in one go! - Believe it or not, Mollies are known to enjoy eating mosquito larvae, helping control insect populations! - Molly fish can change their body color slightly to blend in better with their surroundings! - Some Molly species have extra-large dorsal fins, making them look like tiny aquatic sailboats. ## Special abilities - **Water Wizard:** Molly can live in fresh, brackish, or even saltwater because of its super adaptable kidneys, helping them survive diverse habitats. - **Live Birth Giver:** Molly has a unique reproductive strategy, giving birth to tiny, fully formed live babies that helps them skip the egg stage. - **Algae Muncher:** Molly can graze on vast amounts of algae because of its specialized mouthparts, which keeps their habitats cleaner. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 4-12 cm - **Weight:** 0.002-0.015 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Swim Speed:** 5 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 2 m - **Water Type:** Brackish ## Diet & Feeding Mollies are omnivores, munching on tiny plants and small critters found in the water. - **Primary Foods:** algae, detritus, small insect larvae, aquatic worms, plant matter - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Great Blue Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-blue-heron) (*Ardea herodias*) — Mollies are a food source for wading birds. - **Eaten by:** [Largemouth Bass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/largemouth-bass) (*Micropterus salmoides*) — Larger predatory fish often hunt Mollies. - **Eats:** pond scum (*Spirogyra maxima*) — Mollies graze on this common green algae. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Molly? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Molly? 4-12 cm ### How much does Molly weigh? 0.002-0.015 kg ### How long does Molly live? 2-5 years ### What does Molly eat? Mollies are omnivores, munching on tiny plants and small critters found in the water. ### How fast can Molly swim? 5 km/h ### Where is Molly usually found? Freshwater lakes and brackish waters ### How does Molly hunt? Foraging ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Molly: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/molly)