The Black Molly is a long-standing popular aquarium fish due to its ease of keeping, breeding and tolerance of water conditions. Like many popular aquarium fish however, the species has been over bred to the point that many specimens are weak and require specific conditions in order to remain healthy. Temperature fluctuations, especially cooler temperatures leave the Black Molly prone to disease. A symptom known as 'shimmering' where the fish swims on the spot with fins clamped in an awkward fashion is a common indicator. Skin based problems such as whitespot and velvet disease are also common. The chances of these problems occurring can be dramatically reduced by the addition of aquarium salt to the water. In hard, warm water with added salt the Black Molly is a relatively hardy fish, which is easy to care for, and well suited to a community aquarium. The wild variety is blue/green with orange spots & can tolerate cooler water. Long finned and veil tail varieties are also available, as is a 'balloon molly' variety with a heavily enlarged and rounded belly. It is the opinion of Think Fish that the balloon varieties push selective breeding too far and this variety can only be described as a disabled and deformed fish which has no place in modern, ethical fishkeeping. Males may harass females so more females should be in a group than males. Can be kept in brackish water and even acclimatized to fully saline conditions. Will eat algae.

Paddock Farm - County Durham
Aquahouse - Oxfordshire
Surrey Aquatics & Reptiles - Surrey
Riverside Aquatics & Crafts - Hereford Worcester
The Giant Pet Store - Norfolk
The Aquatic Habitat - Gloucestershire
Woodford Aquatics - Greater London
Fishey Business Eastbourne - East Sussex
Fishey Business Portslade - East Sussex
Aquatic Finatic - North Yorkshire