1/15/2023 0 Comments Aquadine fish care specialist![]() ![]() ![]() Mollies originate from waterways with a high mineral content and pH levels. Pro Tip: If at all possible, get your mollies from a breeder that has reared them in freshwater. Over time, their kidneys can shut down because their bodies are used to living in saltwater. Mollies can easily thrive in the high salinity, but they can have major issues when they get shipped to stores and are suddenly plunged into tanks with no salt in the water at all. Freshwater costs money, but they can access brackish/saltwater for free. The breeders typically rear them in salt or brackish water. Especially those sold in the big chain stores. Most mollies are bred in Asia and then shipped all over the world. Even if the fish aren’t in constant pain, the shorter lifespan would rule them out for me. I would lean towards not buying balloon varieties. Their compressed abdomens do make them more susceptible to constipation, extreme cases can be fatal. But I can say that the majority of aquarists report that balloon mollies don’t live as long as other varieties. I can’t give definitive proof that the fish are always in pain, as some claim. Others will argue that they’ve seen plenty of healthy balloon mollies happily swimming around tanks. They argue that these fish should not be bred or sold. Many see this practice as painful and cruel. I did want to note that you’ll often see a variety known as the balloon molly available for sale.īalloon mollies are extremely controversial because their big bellies are the result of a genetic mutation that curves their spines which compresses their internal organs, forcing their abdomens to bulge. These are just a few! You’ll see even more available in live fish stores. They are also often larger than shortfins, some getting up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. Sailfin mollies – much larger dorsal and caudal (tail) fins.These varieties are usually smaller, only growing to 4 inches (10 centimeters) or so. They have smaller tail and fins that really aren’t very showy. Shortfin mollies – overall body shape looks similar to platy fish, but with a deeper chest and belly.Through selective breeding and hybridization, many different varieties of mollies have been developed. They shoal together and search for algae and small crustaceans. Molly fish typically inhabit areas with fairly dense vegetation that they use as cover from predators. They can be found in fresh, brackish or even saltwater environments. Mollies are tough little fish that can adapt to a wide range of conditions in the wild. There are several different species of fish sold under the name “molly.” They all come from the genus Poecilia and their native range runs from Central America, up along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, ending in the Carolinas. ![]()
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