About the Assorted Balloon Lyretail Molly
Name: Balloon Molly
Max Size: Up to 4 inches (10 cm)
Recommend pH: 7.0-8.0
Recommended Temperature (Β°F): 72-78Β°F (22-26Β°C)
Diet: Balloon Mollies are omnivorous and have a versatile diet. They will accept a variety of foods including high-quality flakes or pellets, vegetable matter such as blanched spinach or lettuce, and live or frozen foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Providing a balanced diet with occasional vegetable-based supplements is beneficial for their health and coloration.
Temperament: Peaceful
Schooling or Non-Schooling Fish: Non-Schooling Fish (Balloon Mollies are non-schooling fish, but they prefer the company of other peaceful community fish.)
Possible types of tank mates: Balloon Mollies are peaceful and can be kept with other peaceful community fish such as tetras, guppies, swordtails, and peaceful catfish species. Avoid housing them with fin-nipping or aggressive species.
Behavior: Balloon Mollies are a selectively bred variant of the common Molly species, known for their unique appearance with a rounded, balloon-like body shape. They have a variety of color patterns, including black, white, gold, and combinations of these colors. Balloon Mollies are generally peaceful and active swimmers, adding liveliness to the aquarium. They are well-suited for community tanks and can adapt to a wide range of water conditions. Balloon Mollies are livebearers, meaning they give birth to live fry instead of laying eggs. They are relatively easy to care for and are popular among both beginner and experienced aquarists.
Fun Fact: The Balloon Molly's rounded body shape is a result of selective breeding for a genetic mutation known as "balloon" or "potbelly" morphology. This mutation affects the shape and size of their swim bladder, resulting in their distinctive appearance. The balloon-like body shape adds a unique charm to these fish and has contributed to their popularity in the aquarium trade.