🐠Molly: gear and buying guides

The molly is an active, sociable livebearer that reaches 6 to 10 cm and needs more room than a guppy: 100 L minimum. It requires warm water at 24 to 28 °C, hard and alkaline, with some strains even tolerating slight salinity. A keen algae grazer, it enlivens the surface and decor all day long.

Profile : 6 to 10 cm as an adult, 100 L minimum for a group, hard water between 24 and 28 °C.

Molly gear, family by family

• 🍖 Food

  Strongly vegetarian: spirulina and blanched vegetables should dominate, supplemented with flakes and occasional frozen foods. A lack of plant matter weakens its digestive system.

• 🧴 Care & grooming

  Delicate in soft acidic water, where it readily develops the shimmying disease. Keep the water hard, alkaline and warm, with a 25 percent weekly water change.

• 🎾 Toys & enrichment

  Sturdy plants that tolerate hard water, calcareous rocks and algae-covered grazing surfaces. It enjoys gentle surface agitation and areas with some current.

• 🏠 Bedding & habitat

  A tank of at least 100 L, fairly tall and long, for a group with a majority of females. A prolific species: plan ahead for the many fry.

• 🧳 Travel & safety

  Warm bag transport is essential, as it copes poorly with temperature drops. Gradual acclimation of 30 to 45 minutes, especially if water hardness differs.

• 🧰 Accessories

  A 100 to 150 W heater, generous filtration, GH/KH tests and possibly mineral salts to reharden the water. Budget around 120 to 200 euros for a 100 to 150 L tank.

Guides to read

• 60-litre aquarium kit: the full beginner budget with no nasty surprisesBedding & habitat

  How much does a 60-litre aquarium kit really cost? The full start-up budget, item by item: equipped tank, substrate, decor, water tests and consumables.

• Nano shrimp tank: the essential equipment to start off rightBedding & habitat

  What equipment does a nano shrimp tank need? Volume, gentle filtration, the right substrate and a full budget: the complete checklist for keeping Neocaridina.

• Betta tank of 20-30 litres: the ideal setup, step by stepBedding & habitat

  How do you set up a 20 to 30 litre betta tank? Low-flow filtration, heating, resting plants and a lid: the ideal setup explained in detail.

• Garden pond for goldfish: volume, equipment and budgetBedding & habitat

  How do you build a garden pond for goldfish? Minimum volume, frost-free depth, filtration and predator protection: the complete guide with budget.

• RO units and reverse osmosis water in aquariums: who actually needs it?Care & grooming

  Is reverse osmosis water essential for an aquarium? Find out who really needs an RO unit, how to remineralize and what budget to plan (unit or jerrycan).

• Water conditioner and starter bacteria: essential or just marketing?Care & grooming

  Water conditioner and starter bacteria: what do they actually do? Chlorine, heavy metals, faster cycling: what to buy and what to skip.

• Fertilizer and CO2 for aquarium plants: start simple, skip the lab setupToys & enrichment

  Do aquarium plants need fertilizer and CO2? The simple starter method: liquid fertilizer, easy plants, and when injected CO2 actually becomes worthwhile.

• Driftwood and rocks for aquariums: which ones are safe for your fish?Toys & enrichment

  Which driftwood and rocks are safe in an aquarium? Tannin-releasing woods, limestone rocks to avoid, the vinegar test and preparation: the complete guide.