All fish / Poeciliidae

Dwarf Molly

Poecilia chica

Also known as chica molly, dwarf molly, poecilia chica, pacific dwarf molly

A small, slender molly from western Mexico, with males showing dark vertical bars and orange or yellow tinges on the fins, while females are plainer silver. It is kept mainly by livebearer enthusiasts and conservation-minded hobbyists because it is rare in the trade and threatened in the wild.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

7 to 8.2

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more, with more females than males

Diet

Omnivore: algae, vegetable flakes, small live and frozen foods such as daphnia and brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Pacific slope of southwestern Mexico (Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán; rivers such as the Cuitzmala and Purificación basins)

Breeding

Livebearer; females give birth to small broods of fry every few weeks after internal fertilisation. Breeding is fairly easy in a well planted tank with plenty of cover, and adults rarely eat their young if well fed.

Good to know

Rare in the wild and listed as threatened, so keep pure lines and avoid crossing with other mollies. Prefers hard, alkaline, clean water and does poorly in soft acidic conditions.