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Freshwater fishHarlequin Lyre Tail Molly
Harlequin Lyre Tail Molly
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The harlequin molly is named after the classic colors of the harlequin clowns. Fortunately, unlike certain clowns, these fish are peaceful and friendly. We do our best to pair these if you order two. The lyre tail is named for that ancient curved string instrument from Greece, even though this species originates in Central America.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Poecilia sphenops (aquarium-bred hybrids) |
| Origin | Mexico and Central America (wild ancestors); aquarium-bred |
| Care Level | Easy, good for beginners |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Adult Size | Up to 3–4" |
| Lifespan | 3–5 years |
| Diet | Omnivore (needs plant matter) |
| Water Temperature | 75–82°F |
| pH | 7.5–8.5 (hard water) |
| Group Size | Keep more females than males |
| Shipping Size | Approx. 2" |
Care Guide
Tank setup: Mollies like hard, alkaline water. Give them plants, open swimming space and good filtration, since they are active and produce a fair amount of waste. Aquarium salt is optional; they also do well in brackish tanks.
Feeding: Mollies graze on algae, so feed a quality flake that includes vegetable matter once or twice a day. They also enjoy algae wafers and frozen brine shrimp.
Tankmates: Mollies get along with most peaceful community fish that like similar hard water, such as platies, swordtails, guppies, danios, rainbowfish, corydoras and plecos. Avoid fin-nippers and soft-water specialists. Keeping more females than males keeps any one female from being harassed.
Good to know: Mollies are livebearers that breed readily. Fry are born free-swimming and will be eaten unless there are dense plants or a breeding box for them to hide in.
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