Do mollies need salt in their water?

No — that's an old myth. Mollies thrive in clean, hard, alkaline freshwater (pH 7-8.5, 10-25 dGH), which is exactly what most UK taps deliver. They can tolerate brackish conditions, but they don't require them, and salt just limits your choice of tank mates.

How big do mollies get?

Shortfin sphenops mollies stay around 6-8 cm, but sailfin latipinna and velifera females can reach 12 cm with a dorsal fin to match. That's why we suggest 90 litres or more for sailfins — a big male displaying at full sail is worth the space.

They're omnivores that lean herbivore: spirulina flake or algae-based pellets as the staple, blanched vegetables like courgette weekly, plus frozen daphnia or brine shrimp as treats. You'll also see them rasping algae off glass and wood all day — that grazing is normal and healthy.

Are balloon mollies harder to keep?

Slightly. The balloon shape comes from a bred-in shortened spine, which compresses the internal organs — so balloon forms are less tolerant of poor water and sudden temperature swings than standard mollies. Keep the water pristine and stable and they do fine; care is otherwise identical.

Can mollies live with guppies and platies?

Yes — all three are peaceful hard-water livebearers that want the same conditions, and together they make the classic colourful community. Just size the tank for the mollies: 90 litres covers sailfins comfortably, and all three species will breed enthusiastically in a mixed-sex setup.

How do mollies breed?

Mollies are livebearers in the family Poeciliidae: fertilisation is internal and the female gives birth to free-swimming fry rather than laying eggs, after a gestation of roughly four to six weeks. Broods are large and the fry are big enough to take crushed flake and baby brine shrimp straightaway. In a mixed-sex group breeding is continuous, so dense planting or a separate grow-out tank helps fry survive the adults.

Molly Fish for Sale UK | Tropical Fish Co

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Molly Fish Care Guide: Poecilia sphenops and latipinna for UK Aquarists
Complete Molly Fish (Poecilia sphenops / latipinna) care guide — tank size, water, diet, tank mates, breeding, and the salt myth debunked. Written by a UK aquarist, cited sources.

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