Black Molly Molly
Poecilia sphenops
About this strain
Jet black from nose to tail fin, with no iridescence or color break — that uniform velvety darkness is the hallmark of a well-bred Black Molly. Watch for faded flanks or brownish undertones when selecting fish; these signal poor genetics or stress. Males are slimmer with a visible gonopodium; females get impressively deep-bodied as they mature. One of the hardiest molly variants, tolerant of a wide salinity range and forgiving of beginner mistakes. A true all-black specimen under good lighting looks almost lacquered, making it one of the most striking fish you can keep in a community tank.
Origin
Selectively bred from wild P. sphenops stock in the United States, with commercial production well established by the mid-20th century. The strain was stabilized through decades of line-breeding to eliminate pigment variation.