Dalmation Lyretail Molly

<p>Mollies were first introduced to the hobby in 1899 and different varieties started appearing in 1920s. These fish are small, only reaching 5 inches, and males have large dorsal fins, wild forms are gray with rows of dark spots. They are very popular in the hobby, as such, many color and fin varieties have been developed. The Dalmation Lyretail Molly variety is black and white and has a long tailfin with long edges. To keep these fish in captivity, water pH should be between 7.0 and 7.8 and water temperature should range from 70ºF and 82ºF. The tank should have a gravel substrate, plants and open areas for swimming. They can be kept in community aquariums with other peaceful fish, however, different molly species shouldn’t be kept together to prevent hybridization. They should be kept in groups of 3 females and one male. A 20 gallon tank is enough for a single Sailfin Molly, for a group a larger tank is needed.</p>

<p>These fish are omnivorous, however, they are highly herbivorous only eating proteins every once in a while. In the wild they feed mainly on algae and sometimes on rotifers and small crustaceans. In captivity they can be fed with vegetable-based dried foods, blanched spinach or cucumber and every once in a while some brine shrimp or bloodworms.</p>

<p>Males have a larger dorsal fin than females.</p>

<p>To breed this species in captivity, the breeding tank, 50 gallons, should have 2 to 3 females per male, water temperature should be about 79ºF and it should have many floating plants. They are livebearers and their gestation takes around 2 months.</p>

<p>Mollies have a lower resistance to fungus and ich, they are also susceptible to a condition called shimmies which makes them shiver and shave. Adding a teaspoon of aquarium salt to the water helps to prevent these health problems.</p>

<p>This species is native from Carolina to Veracruz, this is, it is native from southern North America to Mexico. Introduced populations can also be found in many other countries like Columbia, Israel, Japan and many others. I inhabits small creeks, ponds, lakes, marshes and swamps.</p>

<p>The water in which these fish are packaged is different from the water in the tank, since these fish are extremely sensitive to water conditions the acclimation process is very important. This process should never be rushed. Aquarium lights should be off for at least the first 4 hours of the fish in the new tank and it should not be fed in the first 24h. There are two acclimation methods: Floating Method and the Drip Method.</p> <p>Floating method -  the aquarium lights should be off and lights in the room should be dim, the bag in which the fish is should be placed in the surface of the water to float for about 15 minutes, this allows the water in the bag to adjust to the water in the tank. The bag should then be cut under the knot and the top edge of the bag should be rolled down one inch, then ¼ cup of the aquarium water should be added to the bag, this step should be repeated every 4 minutes until the bag is full, then half the water of the bag should be discarded and the bag should be put to float again and ¼ cup of the aquarium water should be added to the bag every 4 minutes until the bag is full. Afterwards, the Discus can be moved into the aquarium.</p> <p>Drip method – the aquarium lights should be off and lights in the room should be dim, the bag in which the fish is should be placed in the surface of the water to float for about 15 minutes, this allows the water in the bag to adjust to the water in the tank. The bag contents should be poured into a 1 gallon bucket that has never been cleaned with any chemicals, the fish should be enterally submerged. A siphon, using airline tubing, should be set up and a drip line should run from the main aquarium to the bucket. Several loose knots should be tied in the airline tubing to regulate flow. Sucking the end of the airline tube that goes to the bucket will begin a siphon, the flow should be regulated to 2 to 4 drips per second. Once the water in the buckets doubles, half should be discarded and the process should be repeated until it doubles again. Afterwards, the fish can be moved to the aquarium.</p>

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