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Overview

Mollies are popular freshwater fish known for their friendly behavior, active swimming, and wide variety of colors and fin shapes. They are closely related to guppies and platies and share many of the same beginner-friendly traits.

Because of their adaptability and peaceful nature, mollies are a common choice for community aquariums. When kept in stable conditions, they are hardy fish that do well with basic care.

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Tank Requirements

• Minimum tank size: 20 gallons
• Temperature: 72–78°F
• pH: 7.5–8.5
• Water hardness: Moderate to hard
• Filtration: Gentle to moderate flow

Mollies prefer slightly harder, more alkaline water than many other beginner fish. Stable parameters and good filtration are more important than perfect numbers, and regular water changes help keep them healthy.

New to aquariums? If this is your first tank, check out our Start Your First Tank guide for a step-by-step walkthrough on choosing equipment, cycling your tank, and avoiding common beginner mistakes.

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Behavior & Compatibility

Mollies are peaceful, social fish that do best in groups. They are active swimmers and occupy the middle levels of the tank, adding constant movement to community setups.

Good tank mates include:

• Guppies
• Platies
• Corydoras catfish
• Neon Tetras

They generally get along well with other calm, beginner-friendly species. Keeping more females than males helps reduce chasing and stress.

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Diet

Mollies are omnivores and benefit from a varied diet. A high-quality flake or pellet designed for tropical fish can serve as their staple food.

To keep mollies healthy, supplement their diet with:

• Algae-based foods
• Blanched vegetables (such as zucchini or spinach)
• Occasional frozen or live foods

Feed small amounts once or twice daily, avoiding overfeeding.

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Breeding

Mollies are livebearers and breed readily in home aquariums. Females give birth to live fry approximately every 4–6 weeks if males are present.

In community tanks, many fry will be eaten unless dense plants or breeding boxes are provided. If breeding is not desired, consider keeping only one gender.

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Why This Fish Is Great for Beginners

Mollies are a solid choice for new fish keepers looking to build a peaceful community tank:

• Hardy and adaptable
• Peaceful and easy to care for
• Compatible with many beginner fish
• Available in many colors and varieties

With proper care and stable water conditions, mollies make a reliable and enjoyable addition to beginner aquariums.