All fish / Poeciliidae

Mirina Molly

Poecilia dauli

Also known as mirina molly, daul's molly, dauli molly

No free-to-use photo of this fish yet. Took one yourself? Send it to us and we will credit you.

A tiny livebearer described in 2000, reaching only about 2 cm, with a plain silvery body and modest fin colour in males. It is kept almost only by livebearer specialists who want to maintain rare, wild-type poeciliids rather than showy strains.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

2 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7 to 8

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more, more females than males

Diet

Omnivore: fine flake, algae, small live and frozen foods such as daphnia and brine shrimp

Swims

Top of the tank

Lifespan

1 to 3 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Northern Venezuela (small coastal freshwater habitats)

Breeding

Like other mollies it gives birth to live young after internal fertilisation, and small broods appear regularly in a well-planted tank. Fry are very small, so dense plants and fine foods help them survive.

Good to know

Listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN and rarely seen in the trade, so keep stock lines pure and do not mix with other small Poecilia that could hybridise. Its tiny size means it should not share a tank with larger or boisterous fish.