Molly
ExploreFish
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.
Habitat: Freshwater lakes and brackish waters
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.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopterygiiOrderCyprinodontiformesFamilyPoeciliidaeGenusPoecilia
Category
FishRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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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
Ability
Water Wizard
Molly can live in fresh, brackish, or even saltwater because of its super adaptable kidneys, helping them survive diverse habitats.
Ability
Live Birth Giver
Molly has a unique reproductive strategy, giving birth to tiny, fully formed live babies that helps them skip the egg stage.
Ability
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
Ardea herodias
Mollies are a food source for wading birds.
eaten by
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Larger predatory fish often hunt Mollies.
eats
pond scum
Spirogyra maxima
Mollies graze on this common green algae.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Omnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Freshwater
Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Also known as
MolliesMolly Fish
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
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
How deep can Molly go?
2 m
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