All fish / Poeciliidae

Amazon molly

Poecilia formosa

Also known as amazon mollie, amazon livebearer, formosa molly, アマゾンモーリー, 亚马逊摩利

A plain silvery grey molly with faint scale edging, looking much like a female sailfin or Atlantic molly. It is kept mainly as a biological curiosity, because the species is made up almost entirely of females that reproduce by cloning. It is hardy, peaceful and tolerant of hard and slightly brackish water.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

7 to 8.3

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more, with males of a host species (sailfin or Atlantic molly) if breeding is wanted

Diet

Omnivore: algae, vegetable flakes, spirulina, plus small live or frozen foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp

Swims

Top of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 4 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Northeastern Mexico and southern Texas (Rio Grande, Rio Soto la Marina, Rio Tuxpan basins)

Breeding

A livebearer that reproduces by gynogenesis: females need sperm from males of related species, usually Poecilia latipinna or P. mexicana, to trigger development, but the young are clones of the mother. With a suitable host male present, broods of fry are produced regularly and are easy to raise.

Good to know

Without males of a host molly species no young will be produced. Easily confused with female sailfin or short-finned mollies, so buy from a reliable source.