Free-range mollies

Mollies are vibrant and hardy freshwater fish that have become a favorite among aquarium enthusiasts. Known for their striking colors and active behavior, they add life and movement to any tank. Whether you"re a beginner or an experienced hobbyist, mollies are a fantastic choice for your aquarium setup.

Mollies that are allowed to roam freely in large spaces are able to swim around freely and investigate their surroundings. Giving them lots of room improves their wellbeing and lets them behave in ways that are natural to them. A balanced habitat that resembles their natural habitat is created in a well-planted tank with hiding places and open areas.

The versatility of free-range mollies is one of their many wonderful qualities. They require little upkeep because they can thrive in a range of water conditions. A balanced diet and routine water changes will maintain the health and vibrancy of your mollies. They also get along well with other community fish due to their calm disposition.

Free-range mollies require attention to their environmental preferences and social needs in order to maintain a harmonious aquarium. You can take advantage of these amazing fish’s beauty and charm for many years to come if you give them the proper care and surroundings. Mollies are sure to make a splash in your aquatic collection, whether you’re setting up a new tank or improving an old one.

Habitat

Origins in the countries of Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala in Central America. consists of a large number of backwaters, lakes, swamps covered in aquatic grass, and shallow streams and rivers that flow into the Pacific Ocean from hilly terrain.

Description

In addition to having a wide range of colors, wild fish can also differ morphologically (body and fin shape). On whether this is related to an ecological type, hybridization, or different forms of sexual dimorphism, scientists disagree at times. For instance, compared to adults, young boys are less colorful. Furthermore, social hierarchy may be to blame for the coloring’s brightness; when the dominant person suppresses the others, the latter’s colors become duller.

Adults grow to a maximum length of 7 cm. Males have an orange-red body with black spots, and a silvery body with turquoise spots on the tail and dorsal fin. Females have similar body coloring, but their fins are colorless.

When free mollies first appeared in aquaristics in 1935, it was not yet possible to give them a suitable environment in which to live. The color gradually disappeared from generation to generation, and the colorless fish quickly lost its appeal. It’s currently regaining popularity.

In a nutshell:

• Aquarium volume – from 100 l.
• Temperature – 22–28 ° C
• pH value – 7.0–7.5
• Water hardness – 12–20 GH
• Substrate type – any
• Lighting – any
• Brackish water — no
• Water movement — weak
• Fish size — about 7 cm.
• Nutrition – any food
• Temperament — relatively peaceful
• Maintenance alone, in pairs or in groups

Nutrition

They primarily eat plants in the wild, but after spending decades in the controlled habitat of aquariums, they have successfully adapted to other foods. Plant-based dry and freeze-dried foods (flakes, granules, and tablets) can form the foundation of a daily diet.

Aqvium flake food for aquarium fish

Give our recently released product, which has quickly become a bestseller, a 4.9 on Ozon. Most fish in aquariums can eat flake food. The production of raw materials complies with new EU (EU 2018/848) standards. includes Omega 3-6 and vitamins A, C, D3, and E.

Optimal aquarium sizes for a group of 3-4 fish start from 100 liters. In the design, it is worth considering several areas with dense vegetation. Free-range Mollies prefer slightly alkaline water with high carbonate hardness. Maintaining the required water composition can be difficult for a beginner aquarist, so it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the methods of "Determining and changing GH and pH parameters". Otherwise, the maintenance is quite simple and will require the aquarist to carry out a number of mandatory, but standard procedures: weekly replacement of part of the water with fresh (20-30% of the volume), which can be combined with the removal of organic waste (food leftovers, excrement) from the surface of the soil, and regular maintenance of the equipment.

Behavior and compatibility

There are contrasting details about these fish’s behavior in various sources. Some reports suggest that the Free Molly is an extremely erratic and aggressive fish; others, however, point to a calm personality. There is some truth in both situations. While the fish get along well with other species, things are different within their own species. Males aggressively pursue female attention, competing with one another for it. The chase may tragically come to an end if the girls have nowhere to run. Other Mollie species exhibit similar behavior. One male and several females should be kept in a community in small aquariums.

A large, well-kept aquarium provides a more natural and stress-free environment for free-range mollies to explore, which improves their health, vivid colors, and general behavior.

Breeding / reproduction

The intrauterine gestation of eggs is a distinctive characteristic of this group of fish. They hatch fully formed offspring instead of forming a clutch. Fry appear frequently when conditions are favorable. Adult fish do not have developed parental instincts, so if the need arises, they will devour their own young. You will need to quickly transplant the young to a different tank in order to save them.

A unique opportunity to enjoy these colorful and active fish in a more natural environment is provided by free-range mollies. Letting them swim unrestricted in a more spacious and open area improves their health and displays their energetic nature.

Giving your mollies the room they require will result in a more interesting and lively aquarium. It is more satisfying for both the fish and the observer to watch them investigate and engage with their environment because it brings out their innate tendencies.

Overall, happier, healthier fish and an aquarium filled with more interest can result from letting your mollies roam free. It is a small adjustment that can have a significant impact on their wellbeing.

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