Molly care
Water temperature
72–82°F
Keep mollies at 72–82°F with a pH of 7.5–8.5, in a tank of at least 20 gallons. Good tank mates include guppies, platies, corydoras.
Wants hard, alkaline water; soft acidic water makes mollies sick.
Poecilia sphenops
- pH
- 7.5–8.5
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal
- Adult size
- 4.0 in
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Group
- Groups of 3+
- Lifespan
- 3–5 years
- Swims at
- Top
- Diet
- Omnivore
Best tank mates
GuppyYes
PlatyYes
CorydorasYes
SwordtailYes
Mystery snailYes
Kissing gouramiYes
Electric yellow cichlidYes
Nerite snailYes
Boesemani rainbowfishYes
Blue gouramiYes
Firemouth cichlidYes
Peacock cichlidYes
Full molly tank mate chart: 21 yes, 63 with care, 14 no
Molly water compared
Fish to keep away from mollies
- Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); mollies need 72–82°F. No temperature suits both.
- Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); mollies need 72–82°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
- Cherry shrimp A molly is big enough to swallow adult cherry shrimp.
- Ghost shrimp A molly is big enough to swallow adult ghost shrimp.
- Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches mollies do.
- African cichlid African cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful mollies.
- Convict cichlid Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful mollies.
- Bichir An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches mollies do.
More livebearers
Questions
What temperature do mollies need?
72–82 °F. Keep it steady with a heater.
What size tank does a molly need?
At least 20 gallons for a group. Adults reach about 4 inches.
How many mollies should I keep?
Groups of 3+. They do not need a group.
What fish can live with mollies?
Guppies, Platies, Corydoras, Swordtails, Mystery snails, Kissing gouramis, among others. See the full list of 21 good matches.