Description

Gold Molly

The Gold Molly (Poecilia sphenops) is a bright, selectively bred livebearer with rich yellow to golden colouration. Peaceful, active and straightforward to feed, mollies make excellent community fish when kept in the hard, alkaline water they naturally prefer.

Adults can reach around 10cm, so although juveniles may appear quite small in the shop, they appreciate plenty of swimming space and good filtration as they mature.

Gold Molly Care

Gold Mollies are best maintained in a well-filtered aquarium with open swimming space alongside areas of planting and cover. They particularly suit areas of the UK with naturally hard tap water.

Unlike some tropical fish, mollies are poorly suited to very soft, acidic conditions. Aim for mineral-rich, alkaline water and maintain consistently good water quality.

Although mollies tolerate brackish conditions extremely well, adding salt is not necessary when they are being maintained in suitably hard freshwater.

Behaviour

Gold Mollies are generally peaceful and sociable, although males can be persistent when pursuing females.

When keeping mixed sexes, aim for approximately one male to two or three females. This helps spread the males’ attention rather than allowing a single female to be continually harassed.

Like other livebearers, mollies breed readily. Females give birth to free-swimming young rather than laying eggs, so a mixed-sex group can produce rather a lot of baby mollies with remarkably little encouragement.

Tank Mates

Gold Mollies are suitable for peaceful community aquariums containing species that appreciate similar hard, alkaline conditions.

Other mollies, platies, swordtails and suitably compatible rainbowfish can make good companions. Avoid combining them with species requiring consistently soft, acidic water simply for the sake of creating a mixed community.

Feeding

Gold Mollies are omnivorous and should receive a varied diet containing a good proportion of vegetable matter.

Quality flakes, granules or small pellets containing algae or plant ingredients make excellent staples. These can be supplemented with frozen foods such as brineshrimp, daphnia and bloodworm.

Mollies will also spend considerable time grazing algae and biofilm around an established aquarium.

Water Parameters

Temperature: 21–28°C
pH: 7.5–8.5
Maximum size: Around 10cm
Purchase size: Approx. 3–4cm
Diet: Omnivore
Temperament: Peaceful and active
Care level: Easy
Water: Hard and alkaline

Gold Mollies are hardy fish when their fundamental requirement for mineral-rich water is met. Their combination of vivid colour, active behaviour and straightforward feeding makes them an excellent choice for suitable hard-water community aquariums.

If you have any questions about keeping these fish and whether they’re suitable for you, please contact us and a member of our friendly store team will be more than happy to answer all of your questions

Why not check out our other photos of some of the best livestock to have graced our tanks!