Lyretail Molly

Looks how to spot one

Personality what they are like

Lyretail mollies are peaceful, active fish that enjoy the company of their own kind. They are social and do best in groups of at least three. Males may show mild territorial behaviour towards each other, but overall aggression is low. They are curious and can become hand-tame with time.57

Daily activity how busy a day looks

These fish are active swimmers that prefer the mid-water column and spend much of their day grazing and exploring. They need a well-planted tank with open swimming areas. A group of at least three is recommended to reduce stress and encourage natural behaviour.76

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Lyretail mollies are relatively easy to care for but require clean, hard, alkaline water. Regular water changes and good filtration are essential. They are sensitive to nitrite and nitrate, so water quality must be monitored. Adding marine salt can be beneficial if other tank inhabitants allow.64

Home where they are happiest

Provide a planted tank with hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5-8.5) and a temperature of 21-28°C (70-82°F). They can tolerate slightly brackish water. A tank of at least 75 litres (20 gallons) is recommended for a small group. They appreciate floating plants and hiding spots.42

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Omnivorous with a plant-heavy diet. Offer high-quality flake or pellet food as a staple, supplemented with blanched vegetables like spinach and zucchini, and algae wafers. Occasionally provide live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp or daphnia. Feed small amounts once or twice daily, only what they can consume in a few minutes.76

Company who they like around

Lyretail mollies are social and should be kept in groups of at least three. Keep a ratio of three females to one male to reduce stress on females. They are peaceful and can be kept with other non-aggressive fish that prefer hard, alkaline water. Avoid mixing with other livebearers to prevent hybridisation.67

The story where it all began

The lyretail molly is a selectively bred variety of the common molly, Poecilia sphenops. Selective breeding for the distinctive forked tail fin began in the 1920s, and the variety has since become popular in the aquarium trade. The wild form is native to Central America, from Mexico to Colombia, and has been introduced elsewhere. The lyretail molly is a result of human selection for the tail shape, and it may also involve hybridisation with other molly species such as Poecilia latipinna.31

Recognised by the official bits

FishBase

Recognised as a species of poeciliid fish, with the common name 'molly'.8

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