🐟TankstockerFreshwater Stocking & Compatibility

🐠 Molly Poecilia sphenops

Molly (Poecilia sphenops) — male
Male
Molly (Poecilia sphenops) — female
Female

The Molly (Poecilia sphenops) is a easy-care, peaceful species from Southern US to Colombia. Adults reach roughly 4.5", 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

Adult size4.5"
Minimum tank20 gallons
Temperature72–82°F
pH7.5–8.5
TemperamentPeaceful
SchoolingYes — group of 3+
DietOmnivore
Care levelEasy
OriginSouthern US to Colombia
Shop 20-gallon setupsFilterWater test kit

Good tankmates for Molly

Black Skirt TetraGuppyPlatySwordtailBolivian RamApistogrammaKribensisZebra DanioHarlequin RasboraCherry BarbTiger BarbRosy BarbDwarf GouramiPearl GouramiThree-Spot GouramiBronze CoryBristlenose PlecoClown LoachPictus CatfishAmano ShrimpMystery SnailLemon TetraCongo TetraBloodfin TetraDiamond TetraBuenos Aires TetraEmperor TetraSilver Tip TetraScissortail RasboraPearl DanioGiant DanioGold BarbOdessa BarbDenison BarbBoesemani RainbowfishNeon Dwarf RainbowfishMadagascar RainbowfishCelebes RainbowfishHoney GouramiKeyhole CichlidFiremouth CichlidElectric Blue AcaraBlue AcaraRainbow CichlidYellow Lab CichlidAcei CichlidPeacock CichlidMultifasciatusJulidochromisSterbai CoryJulii CoryGlass CatfishUpside-Down CatfishYoyo LoachZebra LoachDojo LoachHillstream LoachRubber Lip PlecoClown PlecoSiamese Algae EaterRainbow SharkFlying FoxAfrican Butterfly FishGolden Wonder KillifishFancy GoldfishRosy Red MinnowBamboo ShrimpRabbit SnailGold TetraPenguin TetraRed Eye TetraColombian TetraSilver DollarLeopard DanioMelon BarbTurquoise RainbowfishRed RainbowfishSnakeskin GouramiCroaking GouramiThick-Lipped GouramiPeaceful BettaFlag AcaraFestivum CichlidYellow Dwarf CichlidElectric Yellow CichlidBrichardiShell-DwellerEmerald CoryAlbino CoryThree-Striped CoryStriped Raphael CatfishDwarf Chain LoachWeather LoachHorseface LoachZebra Pleco (L046)Gold Nugget Pleco (L177)Vampire ShrimpRed Claw CrabRed SwordtailHigh-Fin PlatyBalloon MollySailfin MollyAmerican FlagfishIndian Glassfish

Avoid these tankmates

OscarCherry ShrimpJack DempseyTexas CichlidFrontosaChinese Algae EaterBlack Ghost KnifefishRopefishSenegal BichirBanjar Red CichlidMidas CichlidFlowerhornVenustus CichlidLivingstonii CichlidBlue Dream ShrimpYellow ShrimpBlack Diamond Shrimp

See the full tankmate guide for Molly →