All fish / Poeciliidae

Broadspotted molly

Poecilia latipunctata

Also known as broad-spotted molly, tamesi molly, porthole molly, broadspot molly

This is a small, slim molly with a silvery grey body and a row of dark blotches along the flanks. Hobbyists and conservation breeders keep it mainly because it is critically endangered in the wild and only survives in a tiny area of north-eastern Mexico.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

7 to 8

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 bloodworm

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Mexico: lower Río Tamesí basin, Tamaulipas

Breeding

Like other mollies it is livebearing, and females give birth to small broods of fully formed fry every few weeks. Breeding is fairly easy in a planted tank with algae and hiding places, but broods are small and lines should be kept pure.

Good to know

It is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN, so do not hybridise it with other mollies and get stock from captive-bred conservation lines. It looks a lot like juvenile sailfin or short-finned mollies.