Another wild molly species...

[emeraldking53 104]

Some pics of another wild molly species I'm keeping, the pacific molly (Poecilia butleri). It's got a wide range in Central and South America. It occurs in both freshwater and brackish waters. A male remains a lot smaller in comparison to a female. The females in these pics are still quite young.

 

[Back in the fold27 12]

Interesting . The untrained eye might think that’s a guppy . I would if you hadn’t identified it . I never knew of this species until now .

 

[GaryE34 32]

Some of the photos I've seen online identify the once common and always wonderful marble molly as Poecilia butleri. Do you have any info on that fish?

If I had hard water, I could have a fishroom of nothing but molly species. They're interesting fish and not as easy as many think.

 

[Back in the fold27 12]

Some of the photos I've seen online identify the once common and always wonderful marble molly as Poecilia butleri. Do you have any info on that fish?

If I had hard water, I could have a fishroom of nothing but molly species. They're interesting fish and not as easy as many think.

That’s been my experience . Molly’s just don’t live long and prosper well for me . Do you think it’s diet related ? I recall reading once , many years ago , that they need a significant amount of greens in their diet .

 

[Innesfan68 6]

I recall reading once , many years ago , that they need a significant amount of greens in their diet .

Hmmm. Where could you have read that....

 

[Back in the fold27 12]

Hmmm. Where could you have read that....

View attachment 386990

Where else but ?

 

[emeraldking53 104]

Do you have any info on that fish?

Well, it's a molly species that has a wide range of distribution from the Pacific slope of Mexico to El Salvador. It's even known that populations have been found in Panama. But the ones in Panama are most likely introduced specimens. And as been said before by me, they occur in both brackish waters and freshwater bodies.
The males tend to stay way smaller than the females. Females can even grow up to 4 inches but mostly 3 inches will be more general. The males however will reach 1,5 inches. Some males will even reach 2 inches but these bigger ones are mostly dominant males. Temperaturewise, they can be kept between 64°F-86°F. Best around 71°F-77°F. If kept too high the males will develop their male traits faster but won't grow up large enough. And knowing that a normal adult male is not that big sized, you better keep them at a moderate temperature to let them grow op as large ass possible. Periodically using salt can be used but it's not necessary.
Like a number of other wild molly species, the males of this species are also slender.
Their temper is friendly. Don't keep them with more aggressive fish.

? I recall reading once , many years ago , that they need a significant amount of greens in their diet .

Like a lot of other livebearers, molly species love greens. It's one of their main diet ingredients. It's known that mollies love to graze on algae. But I do offer a various diet. And they appreciate it a lot.