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Molly


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Molly
Molly
Molly
Molly
Molly
The molly is a small-sized tropical fish that is found naturally in the warm and peaceful rivers of Central America. Today, mollies are extremely popular fish to be kept in the community of an artificial aquarium, all around the world.

Mollies are known for their calm and peaceful nature, which along with their brightly coloured bodies, makes them a particular popular choice for freshwater tanks of all shapes and sizes. The male mollies are more slender than the female mollies and have a slightly longer tail fin, making the two sexes easy to tell apart.

Mollies live amongst the plants in a group containing numerous molly individuals, known as a school. Although this works well for the mollies in the wild, the fast-paced breeding of these molly groups can quickly become a problem in artificial tanks.

Mollies are omnivorous animals and therefore have diet that is comprised of both plant and animal matter. Mollies primarily eat small invertebrates including insects and bloodworm, along with algae and food particles in the water.

Due to their small size, mollies have numerous natural predators within their environment, with larger fish being the most common predators of the molly. Aquatic birds and even reptiles are also known to hunt them.

Unlike many other species of tropical fish, female mollies give birth to live young rather than laying eggs which are very likely to be eaten. Mollies can give birth to up to 100 fry at once, only a couple of weeks after fertilisation occurred.

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Molly Comments (1)

Emma

"These Molly's are cute and funny looking."


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Molly Facts

Kingdom:
A level of classifying all living things on earth, as similar species are broken into 5 groups including plants, animals and fungi....
Animalia
Phylum:
A level of classifying animals within the animal kingdom. Phylum are further divided into subgroups called classes....
Chordata
Class:
A level of classifying animals in a phylum. Classes are then sub-divided into further groups known as orders....
Actinopterygii
Order:
A level used to classify animals. Classes are broken into sub-groups known as order, which are broken down further into families....
Cyprinodontiformes
Family:
A level of classifying animals within an order. Orders are broken down in families and families are broken down further into smaller groups called genus....
Poeciliidae
Genus:
A level of classifying animals within a family. Families are divided into sub-groups called genus which generally contain one or two animal species....
Poecilia
Common Name:Molly
Scientific Name:Poecilia
Origin:Central America
Diet:Omnivore
Size (L):5cm - 10cm (2in - 4in)
Water Type:Fresh
Optimum pH Level:7.5 - 8.5
Life Span:3 - 5 years
Conservation Status:
The conservation status of a species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species remaining extant either in the present day or the near future. Many factors are taken into account when assessing the conservation s...
Threatened
Colour:Brown, Black, Yellow, White, Green, Blue, Red, Orange
Skin Type:Scales
Favourite Food:Algae
Habitat:
The term habitat is used to describe a specific area where a particular animal lives, within an environment. Many animals have adapted to requiring specific conditions which can only be found in their natural habitat su...
Rivers in the Amazon Rainforest
Average Clutch Size:80
Main Prey:
When an animal is referred to prey, it means that the animal is either hunted or caught for food. Animals that are referred to as prey are generally hunted by bigger animals, although there are a number of exceptions....
Algae, Insects, Bloodworm
Predators:
When an animal is referred to as a predator, it means that the animal either hunts or catches other animals. Predatory animals are generally dominant within their environment and will generally hunt animals smaller than...
Large Fish, Birds, Reptiles
Distinctive Features:Large-sized fins and bear live young

Related Animals

GuppyGuppy
Also known as the Millionfish!
TetraTetra
Native to the freshwater streams of South America!
PiranhaPiranha
Generally found in fast-flowing streams!

 

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