{"product_id":"balloon-molly","title":"Balloon Molly","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAbout the Balloon Molly\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Balloon Molly is a popular and colourful livebearing fish, instantly recognised by its rounded body, graceful fins, and peaceful personality. Developed through selective breeding from the Common Molly (\u003cem\u003ePoecilia sphenops\u003c\/em\u003e), Balloon Mollies are available in an incredible range of colours including black, gold, silver, white, orange, dalmatian, marble, lyretail, and koi varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite their compact, rounded appearance, Balloon Mollies are active swimmers that enjoy exploring every level of the aquarium. Their calm nature makes them an excellent choice for community aquariums, where they coexist happily with Guppies, Platies, Swordtails, Corydoras, peaceful Rainbowfish, Tetras, and other gentle tropical fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBalloon Mollies thrive in well-planted aquariums with plenty of open swimming space and stable water conditions. Like other livebearers, they appreciate slightly harder, alkaline water and benefit from a varied diet containing both vegetable matter and protein-rich foods. They readily breed in home aquariums, giving birth to free-swimming fry approximately every four to six weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardy, colourful, and full of personality, the Balloon Molly is an ideal fish for beginner and experienced aquarists alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePoecilia sphenops\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBalloon Molly\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eOrigin\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCaptive-bred variety of a species native to Central America\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5–8 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTemperament\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDiet\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60 Litres\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTemperature\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e24–28°C\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003epH\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e7.2–8.2\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWater Hardness\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10–30 dGH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeginner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLifespan\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3–5 Years\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCommunity aquariums, planted tanks, and livebearer aquariums\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAre Balloon Mollies good for beginners?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Balloon Mollies are hardy, peaceful, and easy to care for, making them an excellent choice for beginner aquarists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat do Balloon Mollies eat?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey thrive on quality tropical flakes, micro pellets, spirulina flakes, algae wafers, blanched vegetables, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan Balloon Mollies live with Guppies?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Balloon Mollies make excellent tank mates for Guppies, Platies, Swordtails, Corydoras, and other peaceful community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo Balloon Mollies breed easily?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Like all mollies, they are livebearers and breed readily in the home aquarium. Females typically give birth every 4–6 weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo Balloon Mollies need salt?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Salt is \u003cstrong\u003enot\u003c\/strong\u003e required in a healthy freshwater aquarium. They thrive in freshwater provided the water is clean, stable, and moderately hard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Mistakes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eKeeping them in soft, acidic water\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBalloon Mollies prefer hard, alkaline water and generally perform best when these conditions are maintained.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eFeeding only flake food\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA varied diet containing vegetable matter and algae-based foods is essential for long-term health.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eOvercrowding the aquarium\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs prolific breeders, populations can increase quickly if males and females are kept together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePoor water quality\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStable water conditions, regular maintenance, and efficient filtration are essential for healthy Mollies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHousing them with aggressive fish\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose peaceful community species that won't nip fins or harass these gentle livebearers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apex Aquatic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48856338399371,"sku":null,"price":12.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/8353\/3195\/files\/HCLDK96uR1SyA2JI0SIKaQE8DN6YxkTkgK-kuZvQo8_iyL_BROfkcNS_wrDfy6xc87fvL9H983dq9S5uh2baS6iu0ui1DPm3wQ2RX2cqubKhnq0rJsHPfaiuJtJKQMRqv4f03nmB5JbU8a2tlTsAlZ-Gaw31E_UnPTZy11dGElUPvzjZdphxzWm.jpg?v=1786005588","url":"https:\/\/apexaquatic.com.au\/products\/balloon-molly","provider":"Apex Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}