All fish / Poeciliidae

Van de Poll's Molly

Poecilia vandepolli

Also known as vandepolli molly, van de poll molly, arc molly, curacao molly, aruba molly, poecilia vandepolli

A small wild molly from the Dutch Caribbean islands and nearby Venezuela. Males are silvery with rows of orange to yellow spots and a colourful dorsal fin, while females are plainer. Enthusiasts of wild livebearers keep it for its hardiness and active grazing habits, and because it copes with fresh, brackish or even salty water.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

24 to 30 °C

pH

7 to 8.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more, with more females than males

Diet

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

Swims

Top of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 4 years

Water

Brackish

Wild range

Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire and coastal Venezuela

Breeding

It is a livebearer. Females give birth to small broods of fully formed fry every four weeks or so. Breeding is easy, and dense plants or algae help more of the fry survive.

Good to know

It is rarely sold outside specialist livebearer groups and will hybridise with other mollies, so keep it on its own to preserve pure lines. Hard, alkaline water with a little salt keeps it healthiest.