🐠 Balloon Molly Poecilia sphenops

The Balloon Molly (Poecilia sphenops) is a easy-care, peaceful species from Captive-bred. Adults reach roughly 3", so plan on a minimum tank of 20 gallons. Keep the water between 72–82°F with a pH of 7.5–8.5. This is a schooling fish — keep a group of at least 3 so it feels secure and colors up. As an omnivore, it does best on a varied diet appropriate to its feeding style.

At a glance

Good tankmates for Balloon Molly

Black Skirt TetraSerpae TetraGuppyEndler's LivebearerPlatyMollySwordtailBolivian RamApistogrammaKribensisZebra DanioHarlequin RasboraCherry BarbTiger BarbRosy BarbWhite Cloud MinnowDwarf GouramiPearl GouramiThree-Spot GouramiBronze CoryOtocinclusBristlenose PlecoAmano ShrimpMystery SnailBlack Neon TetraLemon TetraGlowlight TetraCongo TetraBloodfin TetraDiamond TetraBuenos Aires TetraEmperor TetraSilver Tip TetraX-Ray TetraScissortail RasboraPearl DanioGiant DanioGold BarbOdessa BarbDenison BarbBoesemani RainbowfishNeon Dwarf RainbowfishMadagascar RainbowfishThreadfin RainbowfishCelebes RainbowfishHoney GouramiSparkling GouramiKeyhole CichlidFiremouth CichlidElectric Blue AcaraBlue AcaraRainbow CichlidYellow Lab CichlidAcei CichlidPeacock CichlidMultifasciatusJulidochromisSterbai CoryJulii CoryGlass CatfishUpside-Down CatfishYoyo LoachZebra LoachHillstream LoachRubber Lip PlecoClown PlecoSiamese Algae EaterRainbow SharkFlying FoxRosy Red MinnowGhost ShrimpBamboo ShrimpRabbit SnailGold TetraPenguin TetraRed Eye TetraFlame TetraColombian TetraSilver DollarEmerald Eye RasboraLeopard DanioGold Ring DanioMelon BarbTurquoise RainbowfishForktail Blue-eyeRed RainbowfishCroaking GouramiThick-Lipped GouramiPeaceful BettaFlag AcaraFestivum CichlidYellow Dwarf CichlidElectric Yellow CichlidBrichardiShell-DwellerEmerald CoryAlbino CoryThree-Striped CoryZebra OtoDwarf Chain LoachZebra Pleco (L046)Gold Nugget Pleco (L177)Vampire ShrimpRed Claw CrabRed SwordtailHigh-Fin PlatySailfin MollyAmerican FlagfishIndian Glassfish

Avoid these tankmates

AngelfishOscarJack DempseyGreen TerrorTexas CichlidFrontosaChinese Algae EaterBlack Ghost KnifefishRopefishSenegal BichirBucktooth TetraBanjar Red CichlidSalvini CichlidMidas CichlidFlowerhornVenustus CichlidLivingstonii CichlidCompressed CichlidCalvus Cichlid

See the full tankmate guide for Balloon Molly →