Pacific Molly
Poecilia butleri
A personable little livebearer that grazes algae and practically eats from your hand.
About
The Pacific molly (Poecilia butleri) is a livebearing fish native to a broad stretch of Central America, ranging from Mexico down through Panama. In the wild it turns up in all kinds of water bodies, slow backwaters, rivers, and roadside ditches alike, but it really thrives wherever aquatic vegetation and algal mats are thick. That preference for plant-covered habitat translates well to the home aquarium, where it will happily graze on surface algae and help keep the water line tidy in a way that larger, more demanding fish simply do not. The upturned mouth is a giveaway that this species evolved to feed at the surface, though it has no trouble picking up food at any depth once it figures out that you are the one bringing meals. And it figures that out quickly. Pacific mollies are notably bold and curious, and given a little time, most individuals will feed directly from a keeper's fingers. That confidence, combined with a forgiving temperament and modest space requirements, makes this species a sensible choice for newer fishkeepers. At a maximum of just over three inches, it fits comfortably into community setups alongside other peaceful, similarly sized fish.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Pacific Molly
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Pacific Molly get?
- The Pacific Molly reaches about 1.5–3" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Pacific Molly need?
- A minimum of 15 gallons is recommended for the Pacific Molly.
- What water parameters does the Pacific Molly need?
- The Pacific Molly does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 6.8–8, hardness around 5–25 dGH.
- Is the Pacific Molly aggressive?
- The Pacific Molly is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Pacific Molly eat?
- The Pacific Molly is an omnivore. It does well on a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus occasional frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Pacific Molly live?
- With good care, the Pacific Molly typically lives 2-3 years.