Black Lyretail Molly

Appearance:

• Body Color: The Black Lyretail Molly has a solid black body, which is uniform throughout, giving it a sleek, velvety appearance. Its dramatic, dark coloration makes it a standout fish in any aquarium.
• Lyretail Shape: The most distinctive feature is its lyretail—a long, forked tail with pointed, flowing edges, resembling a lyre (musical instrument). The extended, trailing tail fins add grace to its movements and make the fish look larger than it is.
• Fin Structure: Males often have longer fins, including a more pronounced dorsal fin and larger tail fins than females.

Size:

• Black Lyretail Mollies typically reach 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) in length. Some may grow a bit larger in well-maintained, spacious tanks.

Lifespan:

• These mollies live for about 3-5 years, with proper care and a stable environment.

Behavior:

• Peaceful and Social: Like other mollies, Black Lyretail Mollies are peaceful, community-friendly fish. They thrive when kept in groups of 3 or more.
• Livebearers: They give birth to live fry instead of laying eggs, and they can breed frequently if kept in favorable conditions.

Habitat & Tank Requirements:

• Tank Size: A minimum of 20 gallons is required for a small group, with larger tanks being preferable, especially if you plan to breed them.
• Water Parameters: They thrive in slightly alkaline water with a pH of 7.5-8.5 and temperatures between 72-82°F (22-28°C).
• Brackish Water: While they can live in freshwater, Black Lyretail Mollies prefer slightly brackish water. Adding a small amount of aquarium salt can improve their overall health.
• Aquarium Setup: Provide plenty of swimming space, along with live or artificial plants. A well-planted tank mimics their natural habitat and gives them cover.

Diet:

• Black Lyretail Mollies are omnivores. Their diet should include a variety of:
  • High-quality flakes or pellets.
  • Vegetables: They enjoy blanched spinach, zucchini, or peas.
  • Protein sources: Live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia can be offered occasionally.
  • Algae: They will also graze on algae in the tank, contributing to a cleaner aquarium.

Breeding:

• Black Lyretail Mollies are prolific breeders. Female mollies can give birth to 10-100 live fry every 4-6 weeks.
• To protect the fry from being eaten by adults, it’s recommended to have dense plants or use a breeding box or separate tank for the fry.

Tank Mates:

• Black Lyretail Mollies are compatible with other peaceful fish, such as:
  • Guppies
  • Platies
  • Swordtails
  • Tetras
  • Corydoras catfish
• Avoid aggressive species or fin-nippers like certain barbs or cichlids, as they can damage the mollies' long, flowing fins.

Water Tolerance:

• These mollies are adaptable to freshwater, brackish, and even marine conditions, but they prefer a bit of salt in the water.
• It’s essential to maintain good water quality, with regular water changes and efficient filtration, as they are sensitive to sudden changes in water parameters.

Health and Care:

• Common health issues include Ich (white spot disease), fin rot, and fungal infections, which can arise if water quality deteriorates.
• Regular tank maintenance, along with monitoring pH and salinity levels, helps keep them healthy.

Lyretail Trait:

• The lyretail gene in mollies is recessive, meaning careful breeding is required to produce and maintain the lyretail feature. When breeding Black Lyretail Mollies, it’s important to select parents with this trait to continue producing fry with the long, flowing tail.