MARBLE LYRETAIL MOLLY

The Marble Lyretail Molly, also called the Mexican Lyretail Molly, Giant Lyretail Molly, Yucatan Molly, and sometimes simply Lyretail Molly is a color variety of the Poecilia sphenops Lyretail Molly. It is a handsome black and white fish that makes a peaceful addition to most aquariums. The Marble Lyretail Molly prefers hard, alkaline water conditions and may not thrive in aquariums with acidic or soft water. The Marble Lyretail Molly has the ability to adapt to a variety of salt levels in the aquarium. Through gradual acclimation, the Marble Lyretail Molly may be maintained in either a freshwater or saltwater aquarium. In the freshwater aquarium, a minimum of a teaspoon of aquarium salt per gallon is recommended for optimum health.

The Marble Lyretail Molly requires an aquarium of at least 30 gallons with algae and plenty of room to swim. The tall dorsal fin of the male will not develop if an adequate room is not provided for him to swim. Marble Lyretail Molly should only share an aquarium with other peaceful fish that prefer hard water with elevated salt levels.

The male Marble Lyretail Molly has a pointed anal fin and a much larger dorsal fin. In contrast, the female Marble Lyretail Molly has a rounded anal fin and a pregnancy spot. The Marble Lyretail Molly is a livebearer that requires a spawning box in a 25 gallon, or larger breeding tank. The aquarium should be planted densely as possible or have a thick algae mat. Having a group of floating plants in the corner of your aquarium will promote rearing outside of the breeding tank. Every 60-70 days the female will give birth to 10-60 young that are already approximately one-half inch long.

The Marble Lyretail Molly is omnivorous and requires both meaty foods as well as algae. Provide the Marble Lyretail Molly an algae-based flake food, as well as freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, and brine shrimp.